“Thea, good morning.”
“It’s not. I need the remedy.”
I heard the slight chuckle. “Oh, Thea. You are drinking alone now.”
“I don’t need a lecture, just the remedy.”
“I’ll be there in ten.”
Anton arrived ten minutes later, but he didn’t come alone. Damian was with him. Of course he was with him. Why wouldn’t he be with him? Anton gave me a once over before tsking. He actually tsked me.
“I’ve arrived just in time.”
“Funny.”
“Seriously, Thea, what the hell? You look like something my dog threw up.”
“Anton! That’s a horrible thing to say.” But he wasn’t wrong.
“How much did you drink?”
“Not as much as you’re thinking.”
Damian didn’t greet me, only gave me a once over before he headed to the kitchen.
“Drink it fast.” Anton handed me the glass with the piss yellow liquid. The ingredients of the evil brew were a mystery, but it worked like a dream. Tasted like shit going down, but relief was almost immediate.
“You have that show tonight.” Anton would of course know my schedule and not just because he likely discussed it with Damian. It was just his way.
“Hence the need for that,” I said while glaring at the glass, the yellow liquid clinging to the side. “You need to tell me what is in that.”
“Then I can’t see you at rock bottom. No way.”
“I hope to return the favor one day.”
The remedy was working when I rushed to the bathroom, part of the cure included vomiting. Lovely, because it wasn’t like I hadn’t sunk low enough.
I felt strong hands holding my hair back and assumed it was Anton. A cool towel was draped over my neck. “Thank you.”
“You need another dose,” Anton called from the living room, which had my head jerking to Damian. He watched me with concern in those pale eyes.
“You didn’t drink water.”
If I didn’t drink the same amount of water as I did alcohol I was ill the next morning, even with just one glass of wine. I had experimented a few times in high school with beer and wine. I hadn’t gotten drunk and still I woke the following day sick. Damian remembered. One more reason why I was crazy about this man. “No.”
“Are you hungry?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll make you something to eat. Remedy, water, coffee then food.”
“Okay.”
“You good?”
“I need a minute.” I needed to brush my teeth.
He seemed reluctant to release me, but he did. “I’ll make you some eggs and bacon.”
My heart sighed. “Thank you.”
I would have kissed him right then, but not in the state I was in. I washed my face, brushed my teeth and pulled my hair back before I joined the guys in my kitchen. The smell of the bacon had my stomach growling.
Anton pointed to the chair. “Sit and drink this. Were you drinking alone?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I didn’t realize how stressed out I have been about the events of late and with the news about Cam, I was letting off some steam.”
Damian placed the plate of food in front of me before pulling out a chair, turning and straddling it. Anton also took a seat but it was the way they stared that made me nervous.
“What?”
“Are you up to hearing what we know?”
The knot caused by the situation with Cam had only just eased, but being ignorant was stupid. “Yes, but I’m hung over so use small words.”
Anton chuckled but turned serious a heartbeat later. “Cam has made some good headway into the investigation on the corruption at the precinct.”
“Meaning he has the names of the dirty cops?” I asked. Dirty cops that knew Cam was looking into them, maybe even that Dad had been too. History was repeating itself.
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“Miguel Dobbs.”
“He’s Guy’s mentor.”
“As lead detective, he mentors all the new detectives, including Cam, but he is definitely moonlighting. He is also recruiting from within.”
“Recruiting other cops?”
“Yes.”
“Who are they moonlighting for?”
“Salvatore Federico.”
It just went from bad to worse.
“Did Miguel kill my father? He has Dad’s old job. Did you know that?” I was getting pissed, really fucking pissed.
“He has an alibi for the time of the shooting, but it doesn’t mean he didn’t pay someone.”
Anton was hedging. “There’s something else.”
“The man that broke into Mrs. Cooke’s place, Jerry Castile, his arresting officer was Miguel Dobbs.”