“I can only imagine what you’re going through based on what I would feel if I was separated from my wife for so many years. However, this is your problem. While I hope you know that I will do whatever you ask of me; if my wife is unhappy, I’m unhappy.”
This was a night of firsts; Jason was stringing so many sentences together Josh was left in no doubt as to the validity of his words.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got this,” he said rubbing his temples, to ease the beginnings of a headache.
“I’m only going to tell you this once, take care of your business.”
“I said I’ve got this, Jason!” Josh repeated wanting nothing more than to be left alone.
Without further comment, Jason gave him one final penetrating look before he got up and left.
The pressure was building in his head by the minute, and he knew he had to take the time to relax his thoughts. Humor was always his outlet, but at this moment, it was nowhere to be found. For the first time in years, Josh allowed himself to remember.
Chapter 10
Seven Years Earlier
“Luxie, I’m home,” Josh shouted as he came through the front door.
An unusual silence greeted him. Feeling an unwelcome presence in their home, he thought about rushing the room but held back. His shout would have announced his presence so the element of surprise was already lost.
Josh pushed open the sitting room door and glanced around. Lux was seated in their favorite chair. The other occupants of the room were detectives Saunders and Bonetti.
Bonetti, the taller of the two stood behind his wife while Saunders lounged on a sofa as though having every right to make himself comfortable in their home.
“What are you doing here?” Josh demanded.
“Your wife kindly let us in to wait for you,” Saunders answered.
“That’s not strictly true; they gave me the impression something had happened to you. By the time they were inside and I realized they were deceitful, probably corrupt pigs; I couldn’t get them to leave. In the end, I opened the window, hoping that pigs flew. As you can see it didn’t work, but at least it eased the stench!”
If her expression hadn’t been enough, her monolog of disdain towards the detectives was a giveaway; his wife was pissed off.
“Get out of my house!”
“Not before we ask you a few questions, Mr. Kingdom,” Saunders replied as he stood up. Before Josh could respond, Saunders continued speaking. “Do you know someone that goes by the name of, Counterfeit, Mr. Kingdom?”
Josh knew the question was coming, but the sound of that name being mentioned in his home sent a current of dread rushing through him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the look of surprise Lux was unable to hide.
Saunders directed the question at him, but his gaze was on Lux. To her credit, she pulled herself together more quickly than he expected, but it wasn’t fast enough. Saunders registered her reaction.
At the smug smile on his face, Josh wanted nothing more than to pick him up and toss him out the window Lux had left open.
In the short time, he spent worrying about Lux’s reaction, detective Bonetti threw out a statement. “There’s been another murder, downtown, and we have reason to believe this Counterfeit character is involved.”
Josh’s expression remained unchanged as he folded his arms across his chest and turned his attention back to Bonetti. “Was there a question in there somewhere?” He inquired in a bored voice to show his contempt for them and the direction the conversation was taking.
The tension in the room mounted by the second and it all emanated from Lux. Her dark eyes gleamed with anger, and Josh knew he had to get the detectives out of their house before she gave something away.
“Oh, so you’re still a wise guy?” Saunders countered. “How about this for a question: What do you know about the murder of a police officer that took place at approximately 3:00am this morning?”
“Get out of my house!”
“If you know anything, and I mean anything, this is your chance to save yourself and your lovely wife a truckload of trouble.”
These men who had gained access to his home by deception and were now threatening him and Lux, caused Josh to see red.
“I don’t take kindly to threats. If you don’t have a warrant to be in my home, you have exactly two minutes to get out. Fail to do as I say and the chief of police will be hearing from my lawyer in exactly five minutes.” Although seething inside, Josh somehow managed to hold on to his temper.
“Listen up, you little piece of rich, pretty boy shit,” Saunders all but screamed in his face. “You don’t get to give me orders, ya hear me?! Who the hell do you think you are! You’re not above the law!”
“Maybe not, but I’m above you in every way that counts,” he shot back looking down at the much shorter man.