Devil You Know(Lost Boys Book 1)(72)
It took me a minute to make the connection, but when I did I wanted to throw up for an entirely different reason. “So Mrs. Cooke’s attack was related to me.”
“It’s a connection that deserves further investigation. It could be that Jerry was just back to his old ways and his link to Dobbs is completely coincidental.” Anton was trying and I really appreciated it, but he didn’t believe what he was saying either.
“And that’s what Cam is looking into, digging deeper into Dobbs?” I asked.
“Yes, there is still the possibility that your dad’s death was random.”
That bastard had taken my dad. He wasn’t taking my brother too. “You know they are linked. It’s why you’re both worried now. You’re worried about Cam. And after the other night you have a reason to be.”
“Nothing will happen to him.” Damian sounded quite sure of that. I was glad he felt so confident.
“As we learn more we’ll keep you posted, but we were in a meeting when you called. We really need to get back. You’ll be okay?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Thanks for bringing the remedy.”
Anton kissed my head. “Anytime.”
Damian hunched down next to me. “I’ll be back later.”
“Okay.”
“Eat.”
I nodded my head, but I wasn’t hungry. Anton and Damian were at the door when I called to them, “If it was Miguel who killed Dad, he has to pay.”
Damian didn’t miss a beat. “Abso-fuckin-lutely.”
The door had just closed behind us when I asked Anton, “She ever do that before?”
“Get drunk alone? No. But considering the circumstances, I think letting off some steam is okay.”
There were other ways she could let off steam, ways I could help her with...fucking wanted to help her with, but losing focus now was not an option. “What’s your take on the shit with Cam?”
“We’re making people nervous.”
We reached my car. I leaned against the hood and looked across it to Anton. “We know Dobbs is dirty and that he’s recruiting, but him taking a shot at Cam...he’s got to be really fucking stupid to bring that kind of heat down on himself when he’s already in the crosshairs.”
“Or someone is setting him up.”
“I want Dobbs in a room. A few broken bones and he’d sing like a fucking canary.”
“That would bring blowback on Cam, but Federico is fair game.” Anton had the look in his eyes. He was formulating a plan.
“Will Federico talk to you?”
“He’s a miserly fuck, but I can be persuasive. Before I approach him again, I want backup. We need to make a stop.”
I didn’t pretend to understand the food chain as it pertained to gangsters in New York, but I did know for all the polish Anton had on the outside, he was a scary motherfucker. I’d seen the other side of him a few times and knew he wasn’t jesting when he said he could be persuasive. I was curious as hell by the stop we needed to make because it was a club in Soho.
“Do you want to fill me in on what we’re doing?”
“Federico is a dinosaur. He’s desperate to hold onto his waning empire. He’s old school in his beliefs and his methods, but times are changing. He’s been a thorn in my side for years. Holds properties that I’m willing to legally buy from him, but he won’t sell because they’re drug dens...keeping his customers satisfied. I don’t have much of a moral code, but fucking drugs...I draw the line there.”
“So you’ve been looking to take him down.”
“Yeah, but he’s got some connections and any attempt I make could start a turf war. I’m not interested in adding to the bloodshed of the city. I need more leverage.”
“So what’s the plan?”
“Some of these buildings are near schools and I know a guy who’s been as vocal as me about Federico’s crack houses, but like me he knows he needs to pick his battles. However, he has a friend who’s father was a cop?”
“Was? Did he die on the job?”
“No retired, but this friend isn’t going to like the possibility that Federico could have been involved in a cop’s murder. That’s a battle he’ll definitely pick.”
“So who’s this guy?”
“Lucien Black.”
I pulled up to the curb outside the club Allegro and Anton climbed out. I followed. The inside was weathered and worn with a scarred wooden bar and a stage up front. Tables and chairs packed the place. A woman stood behind the bar, drying glasses. She glanced up, her eyes hitting me before moving to Anton where they lingered.