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One jelly packet down.
Saks thought about the other jelly packets as Luke drove back to the shop.
“Luke, what are the odds that your uncle is the one who sent those guys?”
Luke shook his head, and Saks wasn’t sure if that was a “no way,” or his sad recognition that his uncle was capable of anything,
“I would think that,” Luke said, “except he has this habit of showing up when he pulls his bullshit. It’s like he can’t avoid watching the show.”
“That’s true. But he’s stayed away before.”
“True.”
“How about if we ask Rob if the DEA has a location fix on him? Then we’d know.”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll talk to him.”
Back at the shop, Emily was already happily working away behind Saks’ desk. “What?” Emily beamed at her husband. “No latte for me?”
Luke pointed to the coffee pot, which was half full of coffee. “My accountant tells me we need to control expenses.”
“Well, I’m going to need something stronger if I’m going to straighten out these books. Who’s been putting in these entries?”
“That would be me, Emily,” Saks said.
She waved him to the desk. “Well, Mr. Shop Manager, come on over and let me explain the concept of expense categories.”
He stifled a groan. Apparently, it wasn’t as easy as “look for something similar and put it there” as Luke had instructed.
“You’re in for it now, buddy,” Luke said, chuckling.
“Thanks. I learned from the best. But really, aren’t we going to talk to Rob?”
“Yeah. Right. Hey, Em,” Luke said, whipping out his wallet. “I could use a latte, too. How about we break the bank and you get a couple for us?”
“You? Luke Wade? Drink lattes?”
He waved a twenty at her.
“Yeah, make sure it has a double shot of espresso.”
Emily gave him an incredulous look but pulled up her purse and slung it onto her shoulder. As she walked to the door, she snatched the twenty from his hand. “A double shot of espresso,” she said, arching her eyebrow.
“Yeah, thanks, babe,” he said. He gave her peck on the cheek.
“You’re up to no good,” she said.
“Yeah,” he said, patting her stomach and giving her a sly smile. Saks looked away at this reminder of Luke and Emily’s happiness. She wasn’t showing, not yet, but she glowed as only a pregnant woman could.
“You’re awful,” Emily shot back, though she said it affectionately.
The door shut behind her.
“Double shot of espresso?” Saks snorted. “Where did you hear that shit?”
“Television. It sounds good, doesn’t it?”
“Espresso should be straight espresso. Not some dressed-up to become a mediocre coffee concoction.”
“Someone’s snobby today.”
“Rob? Remember?”
“What about me?” Rob asked. He strolled in from the garage, coffee cup in hand.
Luke leaned against the counter that spread down the inside wall that separated the bay from the office.
“I want to ask about my uncle,” Luke told him. “I need to know where he is right now. Does the FBI have any information on his location?”
Rob’s face twisted in an apologetic and sad half-smile. Saks guessed the FBI agent knew something, but wasn’t ready to give up the information. Rob’s answer confirmed Saks’ suspicion.
“The FBI does domestic work, Luke. You know that.”
“Are you telling me you can’t find out anything about him? From anywhere?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Saks was growing annoyed. This guy was using Luke’s shop as a cover for an operation that he wouldn’t share with either of them. He at least owed them information.
“Look, it’s important,” Saks said. “If there’s any chance he had anything to do with what happened to Hawk and me, we need the info.”
“And,” Luke interjected, “I’ve been mighty patient with this whole camping in my shop while you’re pretending not to hold your government job.”
“You have,” Rob admitted.
“So perhaps you can spill a few things just to grease the wheels of your employment with me.”
“You're aware I can’t keep the money you give me.”
“That’s not the issue,” Luke argued. “Whatever shit you’re into can come down on me and mine. Lately, with everything happening, that's been weighing on my mind. If was just me? I wouldn’t care. But Em, Robbie, and the new baby coming? Yes. I have serious concerns.”
Rob’s lips drew into a hard line. “I understand, and I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize Emily, Robbie, or the new baby. You and they are the only family I have left.”
Luke blinked. Saks didn’t realize that Rob considered Luke family. Rob was Emily’s biological father, but had been a no-show since before Emily’s birth. Rob had been the one to initiate the reconnection to his long-lost daughter, but Emily was loyal to a fault to her mother, sister, and the man who’d raised her. While cordial to Rob, she didn’t welcome him into the family circle.
“The truth is, Luke, we have no idea where your uncle is. He’s dropped off the grid. His business is running just fine, but where he is operating? Not a clue. The reason I’m stationed here is to keep an eye on you.”
“Me?”
“Well, you and the Spawn. You guys are clean, but the people around you, your uncle, the Roccos, the Rojos and Hombres, and now the Serafini aren’t. The Spawn have become a magnet for interactions with the worst elements in Connecticut.”
“You aren’t telling us anything new.”
“Just to inform you, this is my last assignment before retirement. I’m just to observe and report. What action the Bureau takes is up to them.”
“And you’re hoping my uncle will contact me?”
“He can’t help himself. Eventually, he’ll show up. It’s anybody’s guess when that will be.”
Luke sucked in a huge breath, and Saks didn’t blame him. Raymundo Icherra had shown up just before the birth of Robbie. If he had any idea that Emily was pregnant again, he’d show up in a few months’ time. Saks did a quick mental calculation and realized that would be just around the holidays.
Shit. Unfortunately, he had more immediate concerns. “Look, that doesn’t help us now.”
Rob shrugged. “If it’s any consolation, Threat Analysis thinks he has nothing to do with the hits placed on you or Hawk.”
“That comforting,” Saks replied sarcastically.
“If not him, then who?” Luke asked.
Rob sighed. “If you’re looking for an answer such as the Rojos, Hombres, Roccos, or Serafini, nothing indicates them. Sure, the Rojos and Hombres are ticked off at you, but they have other troubles they’re dealing with. Both the Roccos and the Serafini have never put a hit out on a family member, so that’s unlikely. We haven’t picked up chatter from any other crime families in New York, New Jersey, or New England. My best professional guess is that it’s none of them.”
“You have a guess, don’t you?” Saks observed.
“This is just a gut instinct, but I believe it was James Pearson.”
Saks clenched his jaw as alarm shot through him. “Why?”
“The way he looked at you at the airport. Like you were someone he wanted to kill, like you were in the way of something important. Is it possible Christina is having an affair with him?”
“No,” Saks responded in a low, guttural growl.
“The man’s in love,” Luke explained sourly.
“She doesn’t like him at all,” Saks said. “No way would she go to bed with him.” Saks' teeth clenched tightly. He didn’t like the turn this conversation was taking, and he glared at both men. Apparently, Luke took notice.
“We’re getting off topic,” Luke said. “The big question is what are we going to do now?”
“Why would you do anything?” Rob queried. “The man’s trouble. It’s best to steer clear of him.”
Saks watched how Luke glanced at Rob and how his eyes narrowed. His boss wasn’t buying Rob’s story, and didn’t like the conclusions the big man made. Despite the shitty way in which the day had started out, Luke had demonstrated he wouldn’t abandon his friend. He always had his back, and now, even though Luke clearly disapproved of Chrissy, he still stood by him.
“That’s probably true,” Luke agreed, on wanting to avoid Pearson, “but you all you have on him is suspicion and innuendo?"
Rob nodded. “We don’t have a goddamn thing on him. The man is a master of covering his tracks.”
“Besides,” Saks grunted, “the trail of bodies following him.”
“Thanks, Rob,” Luke interjected, with a sharp change of tone that signaled the end of the discussion. “How’s that Kawasaki coming?”
Rob groaned. “No Harleys today?”
“Nope, aside from taking the customers’ bikes out of winter storage and getting them ready for the road. So, let’s get that Kawasaki finished and start on those.”
“Sure,” Rob said with a disapproving shake of his head. He disappeared into the shop.
Luke turned to Saks immediately. “How much info do you think Chrissy can get on Pearson?”
