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No way. He’d never ring the bell.
But… heismy neighbor. So maybe he would.
I glance in the mirror to make sure my hair is decent, and do a quick scan of my face just in case, then I bolt down the stairs. Seeing my phone on the kitchen island, I’m about to check my Ring camera alert, until I see lights flashing through the glass.
Sirens again.Shit.
I swing the door open to Bill, my dad’s other closest friend.
“Quinn-bee.” He smiles sadly at me with his arms open.
He’s tougher than Uncle F by a longshot, but not with me. “Hey, Big Bill.” I accept his hug, then eye the two rookies at his heels. “What’s with the welcoming committee? Here to take me away to Ferraro’s?You knowyou’d have to fight me first.”
I break the embrace and put my fists up.
“I don’t have a death wish last time I checked.” He cackles lightly. “Nah. We were in the area and wanted to check up on you. Ferraro’s force doing well by you?”
Can’t help but roll my eyes. “I guess.”
About a minute into the conversation, I realize I haven’t desperately asked about my father—which must come off asbizarre. What’s even more bizarre? I know a man who might actually have him, and I’m not eventhinkingabout saying a word.
“Can I ask you something honestly?” I grab him gently by the wrist and pull him inside, then eye the rookies with a glare that could kill, stopping them before they could take a step.
“Of course, Bee. Anything.”
I shut the door. “What kind of lead do they have on him? It’s been so long… I’m scared…”
Lying to him is painful. The truth is, I’mnotscared. I’m anxious. Because deep down, I know in my gut Silver isn’t lying to me. Dad’s safe. And this is a test.
He could be watching or listening right now for all I know.
Bill places his hands softly on my shoulders and looks me dead in the eyes. “We’re doing everything we can to find your pops, Bee. He’s like a brother to me.”
My lips push to one side. “So the trail ran cold, then?”
“We have some leads,” he speaks vaguely, and I know my answer.
“Suspects?” I’m careful not to talk about the Russians or cartel anymore. Anything that could lead back to Silver or cast doubt on the abductors, won’t help my case.
“One,” he lowers his voice, “Julio Escarez. He’s a runner for some of the big boy slingers in Jersey. One of Ferraro’s guys is on the way to question him today.”
I turn away, thinking of Silver.
Here it comes again. That tidal wave of doubt. How could the entire police department be so off trail? Or is this old-time mobster puppeteering me like some sick plaything?
Screw this.
I need evidence… now.
“Show me,” I say, motioning toward Bill’s phone. “Show me something. You have digital files of the case on there, don’t you?”
“Quinn—”
“Don’t give me that tone like I’m a little kid.It’s my father!” My frown deepens, eyes holding his.
The bags under his eyes are deep and pained. He’s been going through his own sort of hell.
Don’t be so tough on him.