Blood in the Water(72)
At least she’d been left with Jed, who loved and cared for her. He’d been the more involved parent all along. She couldn’t imagine what it would’ve been like to live with Buckley.
“What happened after the arrest?”
“The feds offered him a deal. Buckley could skate on the murder if he helped them build a case against the Dixie Mafia. Can you believe it? Like she was nothin’, a bargainin’ chip.”
“Your father didn’t take the deal.”
“He was an old-school gangster, so it wasn’t even a question—he believed in loyalty to the outfit. Besides, in those days, if he’d have talked, his pals would’ve burned it all down—they’d have killed us and him, taken everything. I guess the old man did me one favor. He kept me alive long enough to take his place.”
“I’m sorry.” Jane didn’t know what else to say.
He shook his head. “I shouldn’t have shared this with you, stained you with it.”
What an odd turn of phrase. Does he feel dirty?
“I’m not stained.”
“Not yet, but if you spend any more time with me, you will be. Do yourself a favor, Legal Eagle, fly far, far away from me.” She could smell the whiskey on his breath, feel the pain in his words. “My day of reckonin’ is comin’, I can feel it.”
“You’re being superstitious.”
“More like realistic. My number will be up sooner rather than later. My story can end only one of two ways—jail or a graveyard. And even if I go to the big house, I won’t be long for this world.”
It sobered her. Byron was right—like most men in his profession, his life wouldn’t end well. Along the way, he’d probably made countless enemies. Even if he weren't sentenced to death, he’d have to fight for his life every day.
“I guess in your business, the truth has a way of coming to light sooner or later.”
“Yeah.” He grabbed a glass from the counter and filled it for her. “Have a drink with me.”
She didn’t have the heart to refuse.
Byron raised his drink with a mocking smile. “To the future.”
Somehow she forced herself to choke down a sip. Perhaps they both had terrible futures barreling toward them. They were silent for a long time, taking it all in—the awfulness of their impending dooms.
“Enough of this self-pityin’ bullshit. And you don’t have to be so nice to me, darlin’—just keep givin’ me cold, clear, and sometimes cruel truths.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I think Buckley wouldn’t have been such a bastard if someone would’ve called him out, told him exactly what they thought of him.”
It suddenly made so much sense. Byron wanted a system of checks and balances—someone who’d tell him when he was in the wrong.
Things just weren’t the same between them anymore.
Now she cared about Byron, had gotten used to having him around. But where could they possibly go from here?
Byron seemed to be having the same thoughts. “I’ll protect you, keep you safe. And then I’m gonna do my duty and get the fuck away from you.” Byron placed his hand over hers. “I ain’t suitable for anythin’ more, not in the long term, at least. I’m Buckley’s son, and I’d best remember that.” He lurched to his feet and then stretched his arms over his head, yawning loudly. “I need to get some shut-eye. You comin’?” He strolled over to the bed, shucked off his pants, and then laid down.
Her brain was buzzing with too many thoughts to get any rest.
“No, I’m going to work for a bit.”
“Okay. Promise me somethin’.”
“What?”
“Don’t let Valentine break you, like he did Juliet.”
“And what about you? Are you broken?”
He smirked. “Can’t you tell?”
With that, Byron rolled over and eventually fell asleep.
Hmm. Maybe they were both a bit broken—but their jagged edges fit together.
***
Since rest was out of the question, Jane kept busy. She checked email, did some research on Juliet—and was dismayed by the results. Juliet had a few run-ins with the law, mostly drunk and disorderly charges. None of them had been serious, and she’d gotten probation for six months. The behavior suggested Juliet wasn’t coping well. She’d even been in the psych ward due to a suicide attempt.
Jane hesitated to put witnesses on the stand who’d had mental health issues and criminal records. The prosecutors wouldn’t have a choice in this case since Valentine’s other victims were dead, but it didn’t bode well for a conviction.