Page 117 of Cold Hard Cash

“If I ever asked questions, they’d start talking about what school Anna went to,” Augustus said quietly. “I did what I had to do, and I was putting bad men in prison. When you took over, all of that stopped. I never heard from the Luchesis ever again.”

“Who contacted you from the Luchesi family?” Cold demanded. “I need a name, Detective.”

“Gregory Rees,” Augustus replied defeatedly.

Cold’s jaw twitched. He knew the name. His lips stretched in a mirthless smile, asking coyly, “Tell me, Detective Duplin. How would you like to help me catch a murderer?”

Chapter Twenty-Three

It took quite a bit of convincing for Augustus to accept Cold’s deal. Augustus was immediately resistant, and Cold would not back down. Jimmy wished he had been privy to the entire conversation, but it soon got so heated that Cold asked Jimmy to leave the room.

Jimmy pouted, retreating from the yelling to the parlor at the front of the house. He hated that Cold didn’t apparently trust him to know exactly what he was up to, sighing as he flopped into a chair.

He was still shocked by the mysterious phone call Augustus had been keeping a secret all this time. Now he understood why Augustus had been so convinced of David’s guilt, but it still didn’t change Jimmy’s memory of what happened. He knew his father was innocent, so who was his mother talking about?

Augustus had mentioned something about a customer who had been harassing her at the jewelry shop, and then there was a robbery there the same night she was murdered. It couldn’t be a coincidence. Jimmy was frustrated. It felt like the answer was right there, but he couldn’t put it together.

He knew it had something to do with the ring from Don Rafaello. But what?

That name Augustus had said, Gregory Rees, definitely meant something to Cold. As soon as Augustus said it, the gangster’s face had lit up like it was Christmas morning, but Jimmy was totally at Cold’s mercy for any information, and none seemed to be forthcoming any time soon.

“Crap,” Jimmy mumbled to himself, wishing he was an actual detective and could solve this mystery.

He looked up when he heard footsteps, standing to see who it was.

Augustus was walking by, pausing when he saw Jimmy. His face looked decades older, tired and sad. “Well,” he said grimly, “I see you’ve made yourself right at home.”

“Augustus.” Jimmy frowned, wringing his hands nervously. “I understand now why you thought it was my dad,” he began, slowly walking toward him. “I do. But there has to be another explanation—”

“Jimmy,” Augustus said, holding up his hands, “just stop.”

Jimmy’s heart sank.

“I’ve never claimed to be a perfect man,” Augustus sighed. “I know I’ve made mistakes. I’ve done plenty wrong, and I should probably let Cold turn me in. But... if I can do right by you and David...” His eyes began to water. “And by Eliza. If I can do right by her, then maybe God will forgive me for all my other sins.”

“Augustus,” Jimmy whimpered, wishing he could reach out and embrace him. The chasm between them was still too deep, and he couldn’t bring himself to cross it. There were too many years of pain and anger, but he managed to offer a small smile at least. “Does that mean you believe me?”

“It means... it means I’m willing to admit I may have been wrong,” Augustus said, his tone strained, “but Legrand is still the worst fucking monster I’ve ever met, and I will pray you wake up one day and see that for yourself before it’s too late.”

Jimmy blinked at the language, trying to respond. “But Augustus, he’s really not—”

“He’s a monster,” Augustus fiercely repeated, holding up a stern finger. “If you stay here with him, you’re a fool.” He didn’t give Jimmy a chance to reply, already heading toward the door.

Jimmy started after him, freezing when he saw Lorre and Tamerlane intercepting him.

“Hey there, Duplin,” Lorre said with a scowl, his eyes glittering with rage despite his calm tone.

Tamerlane walked behind Augustus, silent and watching him carefully.

“Hey, Lorre,” Augustus said, completely fearless. “Wanna get the hell out of my way?”

“You know, one of these days, I’m gonna get you for my brother,” Lorre warned.

“Well, that day is not today,” Augustus shot back with a wry smile.

“Maybe not,” Lorre replied, glancing over his shoulder and sharing a smirk with Tamerlane, “but damn is it good to see Cold made you his bitch.”

Augustus’ smile dropped.