The Untouchables(121)

“Mr. Callahan, with a record like that, we are going to get thousands upon thousands of calls distracting us from the real leads, making it harder—”

“Then get more people on the damn phones,” I roared. “You want me to do nothing? My wife is out there and I plan on getting her back, even if I have to give away all my money, seeing as how the Chicago PD can’t do their jobs.”

“You said you wanted a real FBI agent. Well, I called in a favor, Mr. Callahan and we will find your wife. Avian Doers, the director of the FBI has now commissioned a team. Just give us—”

He was cut off as Ethan began to whimper in my mother’s arms.

“All I hear are words, Officer. Now if you’ll excuse me, my family and I would like to get home.”

“Mr. Callahan, is there something you’re hi—”

“Officer Scooter,” Declan said. “My brother has just asked you to leave us alone. Please do so before we refuse to speak with any more of your kind.” He was wheeling in Coraline, who hung her head low as she stared at her thin hands.

The officer shook his head. “I wouldn’t advise that, sir. That would only make us think you have something to hide. You don’t have anything to hide, correct?”

“Goodbye, Officer,” Declan said as I took my son. He smelled like air-dried laundry and flowers.

No one had really spoken to me within our family; it was hard to do so when so many people were listening in. Neal and Olivia were at the house, waiting for our return, and doing a sweep of the house…or at least Neal was. I had no idea what his wife did other than spit poison.

“Oh no you don’t,” I whispered to the little man. He yawned, his face scrunching up like a prune. “Get some real sleep.”

“Liam, I also got a car seat for him. I gave it to Monte, so it should be in the car,” my mother said once we reached the alleyway. The same alleyway the doctor had died in. The fresh snowfall had covered all traces of her.

“Thank you, Mother,” I replied, pulling Ethan’s hat down to cover his ears. He was more than ready for the weather with all the clothes on him; I was worried he was going to be too warm, but the nurses told me to keep him as warm as possible.

“Liam, we need to go.” My father held the door open for me. I looked at the baby seat and realized this would be his first car ride.

Mel would have wanted to put him in herself.

He yawned once again when I put him inside, smacking his own face a little as he tried to get his thumb into his mouth before drifting off.

Declan came up to me with a phone in his hands as I took a seat inside the car. “Neal says the house is clear. He’s ready to fly anywhere you needed him to.”

“Have him check it again,” I said, rolling up the window. Without another word Monte drove, leaving the rest of them to get into the fourth car. The car before us and behind us pulled in tightly. Through the rear mirror I could see our men.

“Sir,” Monte said. “I have to tell you something.”

“Are you betraying us, Monte?” Because somebody was…someone close and he was as close as they came.

His eyes met mine through the mirror before he shook his head. “No, Sir. Never.”

As if the guilty ever admitted it.

“Then speak.”

“There is this rumor spreading among the Italians that you had the boss taken and killed.”

My blood felt as though it was boiling right under my skin. I didn’t have time for this shit!

“How bad?”

“The old five families are meeting tonight. They want your head.”

“How did you come by this information, Monte?”

He smiled. “The boss, Sir. Fedel handled the men in the house, and I handle the moles outside. When Melody took over, she made sure to have a mole within all the old families. It’s how she stayed ahead. Only I know who they are, but they are completely loyal to her.”

Apparently my wife had more secrets than I knew. “They reported to you?”

“They aren’t aware of Aviela or Ivan. That’s how the boss wanted it. They knew nothing about her or her family, and she knew everything about them. Now they don’t know what to believe,” he said, obviously picking his words very carefully. “What do you want me to do?”

My phone rang before I could answer.

“Declan.”

“That burn phone Aviela used didn’t tell us where—”

“Declan. Why was he wasting my time?”

“Liam, I was able to get a record of all the calls she made on a payphone near the train station. I got the camera feed, and you will never believe who was there to pick up her call. They finally fucked up.”