Page 147 of Crow
Contreras looked up from his computer, took off his reading glasses, and rubbed his eyes. “I need a diversion. What d’ya have?” His gaze traveled to a legal-sized envelope in his colleague’s hand.
“We got a match on the prints in Jim’s case.”
Excitement coursed through the detective’s body. “Hell yes! I knew we’d get this cocky sonofabitch. Let me see it.”
Onofrio slid it across the desk and then stepped to the water cooler to get a drink.
Contreras skimmed over the report, adrenaline pumping through his veins. “We finally got a break. We’re going to have to tread quietly here. First thing is for Wexler to put a tail on the perpetrator. Shit, we have a lot to do. I better call Lucinda and tell her I’ll be in Alina for a few days. We’ll be working ’round the clock on this one.”
“She’s not going to like that. Weren’t you supposed to go to Vail this weekend on a romantic getaway?”
The detective pursed his lips and nodded.
“That’s what I thought. It’ll be a long time before you make up for this.” Vince Onofrio laughed.
“I know, but if we can nail this bastard, you and I will both get some time off. Lucinda and I can stay longer than a weekend.”
“That’s the route I’d take. Hell, you’re convincing me, so keep practicing your explanation.” Onofrio picked up a set of keys from his desk. “I’m going to pick up some lunch. Do you want anything?”
“From Taqueria Familia?” His colleague nodded. “Bring me an order of tacos al carbon.” He reached in his back pocket for his wallet.
“It’s on me. We’re celebrating.”
Contreras waited for him to leave, then sighing, he picked up the phone to call his wife.
* * *
Business wasslow at the pool hall. Brandy and Julia sat at a table, staring at their phones. It’d been several days since Jim’s funeral. The members had voted to have the club pay for the burial and tombstone, even though Crow had told them he would take care of it himself. Steel wouldn’t hear of it, so he put the motion in front of the brothers, and it unanimously passed. Even though several of the brothers didn’t know Jim, they were there for Crow. The pride and love he felt for the brotherhood were indescribable; it hit him right in the gut in the best way.
Taking out his phone, he tapped in Stu’s number.
“Hey, buddy,” his friend said.
“Hey. Just a quick call to see if you’ve heard from Josh.”
“Not in a couple of weeks.”
“I’m worried about him. He gets those PTSD episodes and then kind of pulls away, you know?”
“I hear you. I’ve been busy with work and taking Dawn to doctor appointments.”
“How’s she doing?”
“Okay, but it’s a high-risk pregnancy. I know I’m driving her nuts with all my fussing about her. I’ve become my fucking mother, dude.” Stu laughed.
“That bad? I’m sympathizing with your wife now.” He chuckled.
“Have you talked to Benny? He and Josh are pretty tight—more than you and I are. He’s coming to town later this afternoon.”
“I’ll give him a buzz. With all this bullshit going on with the killings, I guess I’m a little on edge.”
“I know Jim’s death was hard on you, man. Josh can take care of himself. The dude goes to the gym all the damn time. Besides, he’s not homeless.”
“Neither was Abe. Killers can be unpredictable.”
“And you should know, right?” Stu said. “Have you or your club ever killed someone? I know outlaw MCs have ongoing disputes with rival clubs, so I’m just curious, is all.”
“Curiosity isn’t a good trait to have when it comes to outlaw clubs.”
