AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Save it, Riff. You’re in trouble.”
He tags along with me, right up the steps to the station. “Look at me.”
“I’m looking.” I turn and take him in, the bruised face, the puppy dog that’s been kicked expression. But I harden my heart. “Yes, Diego did that. But I can’t help but think what you’d have done to me if he hadn’t been there.”
“I was angry. I’ve never hit you before.”
“There’s always that first time. So, you need to understand that I’m never dating you or marrying you. We’re done. And I also suggest you get a lawyer. Your money-making schemes might get you in trouble.”
With that I go in and march up to the desk. The officer is a friend of Riff’s, I know that, and from the flicker of his gaze past me I know Riff followed me in. I put the photos down, my hand on them.
“Riff’s injured because he entered my home without an invitation, and in a rage of jealousy, called me horrible names, and grabbed my arm.” I push up the sleeve to show the dark bruises from his hand there. “And he was going to punch me until Diego grabbed him. Diego tried to see him out, but he tried to hit Diego too.”
“This true, Ralph?”
“I’m here to drop my charges against Fernandez.” The top looks at me.
But I’ve already twisted the truth and it’s time to push further, so I move my hand. “I think you need to make sure all charges are dropped and maybe talk to the main investors in the Gary businesses. Because it looks like illegal activities, and I just don’t mean hiring criminals and hardened gang members.”
“Equal opportunity.”
The cop suddenly snorts. “Like Peabody’s into that.”
“He’s not an investor,” says Riff. “He plays golf with the mayor.”
“Explain these. You’re taking a bribe or a payment. Is it for the girls? The drugs I’m assuming are being sold out of one of the businesses?” I say in a rush.
“I . . .” Riff looks at the pictures. “I’m not selling drugs. And what girls? That . . . that’s for the florist where we leave bills and—”
“Looks fat,” I say. “Like it’s full of money.”
“Fine, yes, payments. They do all kinds of deals, but the Gary Group isn’t illegal.” Riff’s eyes are huge.
“Riff,” the cop says.
“I’m telling the truth. They got cheap labor, guys with muscles and some dealings aren’t quite conventional, but it’s about connections. What girls?”
If not him, then who?
ChapterTwenty-Three
DIEGO
I’m stretched out on her porch steps when she comes up from parking her car.
Nadia’s face is awash in the ghostly light of her phone, and she doesn’t look overly happy, as her fingers move on the screen.
“That was Cindy, the girl from RoadSide.”
“Sister turn up?”
Her gaze isn’t friendly, and her voice is neutral. “No. But you came about the missing girls? Your theory of human trafficking?”
“Theory.”
“Not in the mood, Diego.” The slight snap makes me smile when it really shouldn’t. I lean back, gaze up at her. She scowls.
“Yeah,” I say. “One of many reasons I came here. The main one being Jay, Longstocking, okay?”
