“What up, boss?” Evo answered.
“She home safe yet?”
“Just pulling in.”
“See anything off tonight?”
“Nah, not a thing. Why?”
“No reason. You got plans tonight?”
“It’s my girl’s birthday. Taking her out to the club for table service. Fancy shit.”
Fuck. Part of me wanted to tell him to cancel and babysit Valentina, but I was overreacting. As long as she was locked up tight in her house with that alarm set, nothing could touch her. The cops would be there in minutes if someone tried, and I’d be right behind them.
The feeling in my gut settled. I was just overreacting.
“Enjoy your night, man. Pick it up in the morning like normal.”
I hung up and texted Valentina.
RIX: Make sure you lock up and set the alarm. I’ll be by later. If you’re going out, let me know.
“What?” I asked when I looked up to see Hennessy shaking his head at me.
“I wanna give you shit for keeping eyes on her all the time, but I can’t. I respect that you’re keeping her safe. If I had to lose her to anyone, at least I know you’ll make sure nothing touches her.”
“Damn right. And that nothing includes you.”
Hennessy raised his hands. “I conceded. Hands off. Tell me that’s not why you dragged me down here. I got better shit to do than gossip like old ladies.”
I sobered. “No, it’s not.”
Hennessy’s easy smile disappeared. “You found the recordings from the wire?”
I nodded. “Got them from one of your guys.” I held up a USB drive.
“You listen to it?” Hennessy asked as he reached for it.
I jerked my hand back out of his reach.
“Some shit you need to know before you listen, because I’m not sending you into this blind. You’re not gonna fucking believe me, but I’m not making shit up here. It ain’t what you want to hear. It’s gonna tear up the world you know, and you’re gonna have choices to make.”
Hennessy narrowed his eyes. “Fucking give it to me, and stop with the warnings and tell me what you know.”
I took a long breath and released it. “Your brother wasn’t dirty.”
Relief flashed on his face. “I knew that.”
I prepped myself to deliver the blow that would rock his world. “But your pop is.”
Other than the blink of his eyes, Hennessy went completely still before lunging at me. “Watch your fuckin’ mouth.”
I held up the USB drive. “I’m not making shit up. I’m just the messenger.”
“No fucking way. I don’t believe you.” His jaw clenched and unclenched in time with his fists, and I wondered if he’d take a swing at me.
I offered the USB drive to him, and he snatched it out of my hand. “I wouldn’t want to give anyone that news. Ever. But it’s the truth.”
“No fucking way.” He stared at the drive as if it were going to grow fangs and strike his hand.
“I’m sorry, man.” And I was. I hadn’t known my pop so I couldn’t relate, but the way his face twisted with pain would sink deep into anyone’s gut.
“Won’t fucking believe it until I hear it. No goddamned way.” His words were ground out from between teeth clenched so tight, he’d be taking a trip to the dentist if he didn’t ease up.
“I got a laptop in my ride, if you want.” I didn’t know why I offered. He wasn’t gonna want shit from me for help.
Hennessy rubbed a hand over his face. “Fuck. Fuck. I’m not using my department computer to listen to this shit, because that’s what this is—shit. Bullshit.”
I said nothing. There was nothing I could say he’d want to hear right now. Or ever, probably. His life was getting fucked in a way he never saw coming.
I jerked my head toward the door where I parked outside. I had no idea where Hennessy parked, but he wasn’t a moron, so I doubted it was anywhere someone would connect him to being here. He followed me, the thump of a fist slamming into the metal door and the crash of the door into the brick of the building trailing us.
I popped the lock on the Chevelle and reached inside to pull a small laptop out of my backpack. I held out my hand for the USB drive, and Hennessy slapped it back into my palm.
I booted it up and slipped the drive in. Neither of us spoke as we waited for the recording to start.
I’d listened to it a dozen times, so I knew exactly how it went. Hennessy listened in silence, fists clenching, deep creases furrowing his forehead. I wished I hadn’t been watching when he recognized his pop’s voice. Crushing. That’s what it was.
Lifting both hands to his face, he slid them up and over to grasp the back of his head, breaths coming fast and uneven. Man on the edge.
“Again. Play it again,” he demanded.
So I did.
Six times.
After the last time, Hennessy spun and strode to the door, punching it with the force of the rage clawing its way out of him.
“Fuck.”