Page 94 of The Capo

What was going to happen now? I turned around and started running, trying to avoid people as I raced down one of the side streets. Tears continued to slip down both sides of my face and only a few minutes later, I was gasping for air, forced to stop to try to catch my breath. Why was this happening? I knew better than to think he was guilty of bringing in illegal drugs. Right? He couldn’t be that man.

No. No.

I had to get my shit together. I continuously noticed people were watching me. Or maybe I was losing it. Whatever the case, it didn’t feel safe being out on the street on my own. I clutched the keys, my hand balled into a fist. Thank God it was easy to figure out where I was going given the way the roads were laid out.

My father.

Did Francois really believe my father had something to do with all the horrific things that had occurred? I had no idea what to think any longer, especially since I didn’t know my father at all. He’d admitted he’d crossed that thin line. Francois had told me he had.

Oh, God. This was terrible. At least I knew there were two soldiers remaining at the condo. They would keep me safe.

A few minutes later, I finally managed to get to the building, not wasting any time heading inside. But I couldn’t get over the feeling I was being watched. Before I headed into the elevator, I scanned the all-glass front, seeing nothing. But my sixth sense told me this was the worst position I could be in. I was in a strange city with no way of contacting anyone else that could help in Key West. I hadn’t been given his attorney’s name or phone number. The only soldier I knew was Rocco, and there was no telling when he’d return or if he would. For all I knew, the man had been arrested along with everyone else.

The entire situation was crazy. Finally, the slow as shit doors closed and I pressed my back against the steel wall, taking short breaths. This was so horrible. When the steel box jerked to a stop one floor below where Francois’ condo was, I almost panicked again, especially when two men stepped inside.

They glanced at each other, both nodding toward me. I pressed myself against the wall, holding my breath. The two men were deathly quiet, but I sensed danger, my instinct working overtime. When they got off on the same floor, I almost pressed the button to head to the lobby but knew the only safety I had was being behind locked doors.

I slammed my hand in between the doors seconds before they closed, taking gasping breaths then darting my head into the hallway. I heard a door closing but couldn’t tell from which direction. They weren’t in sight, which was all that mattered.

Francois had told me that the apartment was registered in a bogus corporation name, which prevented most people from ever learning which property he owned in the city. However, I was a smart girl. People could find anything they were looking for if they searched hard enough.

I was breathless by the time I reached the door, trying to keep my hands from shaking as I shoved the key into the lock. Then I heard a loud noise and almost jumped out of my skin, barely getting the door open, closed, and the lock engaged before coughing and wheezing.

Sadie came running, her helicopter tail twirling around and around in a circle reminding me just how much I cared about the man. And I’d slapped him. What had I been thinking?

“Oh, baby girl. Everything will be okay.” I dropped to my knees, wrapping my arms around her neck. A single tear slipped past my lashes, and I willed my emotions away. When I pulled back, she licked it for me, panting in her happiness to see someone. “Daddy won’t be home for a little while but don’t worry. I’ll be right here.”

After she gave me what felt like a bazillion kisses, I stood, staring at the door.

As I backed away, I heard another loud banging noise and yelped. Even Sadie barked, which wasn’t surprising. I half expected someone to come barreling in through the door, but suddenly all was quiet. After standing in the same place for a full two minutes, I managed to take another deep breath before scampering further into the living room, struggling to get the phone from my clutch, holding it between both hands. Maybe I was willing the phone to ring, praying he would call to let me know he’d be home soon.

Home.

Where the heart is.

Where the man I loved was.

“Oh, baby. What are we going to do?”

Woof.

I only wished she could provide some sense of understanding to the craziness.

Oh, God. I was close to hyperventilating, the panic remaining. I fought to control my nerves, heading into the kitchen. Water wasn’t going to cut it. I grabbed the already open bottle of wine, yanking a glass from the cabinet. After pouring a hefty amount, I tried to figure out what to do. Sadly, I had no plan at this point other than to wait. And I wasn’t patient. Plus, I had a terrible feeling he was being made an example of, especially after what he’d told me had gone on at the police station.

I checked Sadie’s water, adding some, fresh and clean, while several additional deep breaths. I’d need to take her out soon,which would mean I’d need to venture outside. I wasn’t certain that was a good idea, but I certainly wasn’t going to make her suffer.

This was crazy. I took a sip, then a second, waiting until I felt a little calmer before returning to the living room, the phone firmly nestled in my hand. I thought about how my father had been before he’d left for his trip, remembering the odd way he’d looked at me before leaving that morning.

What he had said.

He’d told me he hoped to be able to spend more time with me. Did that mean he was leaving the country for good? If so, where? And why?

It was entirely impossible my father had betrayed his best friend. Was it? Oh, this was so bad. I padded the floor for at least ten minutes, mulling over everything I’d heard. Finally, I couldn’t take it any longer, determined to remember my father’s phone number. It was the one I’d rarely called but hadn’t changed, his private line something he’d given me early on after I’d been forced to move to LA.

It took me an entire minute to remember the ten digits. Finally, I sat down, able to make the call. Sadie jumped up on the couch beside me, placing her head on my knee. While it rang and I thought for certain he was going to answer, the call went to voicemail instead. I almost hung up but thought better of it. I needed help and answers, and he might be the only person who could provide both. “Dad, it’s your daughter. What is going on? Where are you? I was told you’re not in Europe like you said you were? Francois is doubting your loyalty. That’s crazy. Right? You would never hurt your best friend. Would you? Oh, God. He was arrested and I don’t know what to do. They have him on drugcharges. We’re in Key West. If you care anything about me or about your friend, then you need to come here. See, he’s become important to me. Very much so. I know you might not be able to understand given you consider him a brother. But he’s a man and I’m a fully grown woman and we have a connection and I’m in love with him and I think he is with me as well. You can dislike it but that’s not going to change anything. I need your help. Please, Daddy.”

Beep.

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