“How the fuck did you let him get past you?” Cory was already tearing the guy a new asshole.
“He didn’t come out this way. I would’ve seen him,” the young officer replied.
“Aaron, he must have climbed out on the roof,” Denise called out and pointed to the open window above the awning. “All of us used to sneak out that way one time or another. There’d be no way for the officer to see him.”
“Damn it.” Aaron plowed his hands through his hair.
“Do you have any idea where he’d be going to find these guys?” Cory asked.
“None, I just asked Mia the same thing.” Denise had her arms wrapped around herself.
“We’ll find him, Denise. Go inside and if you hear from him call me right away,” Aaron shouted as he and Cory ran to his vehicle.
Aaron sped out of the parking area and headed toward the area where they found Levi’s body. It was probably a waste of time, but at the moment he didn’t know where to start. The kid didn’t have a cell phone, so he couldn’t even track Quintin’s phone.
When they pulled up to the harbor apron, there weren’t many people walking around. Aaron hoped to see Quintin, but something told Aaron he wasn’t going to have any luck.
“I just called John.” Cory stood next to Aaron and scanned the harbor front.
“I don’t have a fucking clue where to start looking for the kid.” Aaron tossed his hands in the air.
“The only one of the guys we don’t have in custody is that Slash guy.” Cory turned to look up the west end of the road.
“Yeah, and from what I can figure out, he’s the worst.” Aaron sighed.
He was getting back into his car when his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out hoping it was Denise telling him Quintin was back home. He glanced at the phone and saw Bethany’s number.
“Hi, baby,” Aaron answered.
“Aaron, I remembered something. There was a woman. She was there. She didn’t call the guy Slash. She called him Melvin.” Bethany rambled.
“Bethany, what are you talking about?” Aaron was completely confused as he put her on speaker so Cory could hear as well.
“The day Randy was killed. I completely forgot until I was in the bath. I was relaxing and closed my eyes, and I started to go through that day. I remembered the woman. I didn’t see her because I hid in the bathroom, but I heard her. She called the guy who shot Randy by his first name. His name is Melvin.” Cory shook his head and smiled as Bethany frantically told her news.
“That’s great, baby. I’ll see if the name helps but right now we’re trying to find Quintin,” Aaron explained as he headed out into traffic.
“What happened to Quintin?” Her gasp caused him to cringe at her panicked question.
“I’ll explain when I get home. I’ve got to get a BOLO put out on him.” Aaron turned and headed on the highway toward Hopedale.
“Okay, be careful. I love you.” Bethany ended the call before he had a chance to answer her.
He needed to find Quintin before he got himself killed. Then Aaron was thinking about kicking the kid’s ass for running off like some vigilante and worrying everyone. Especially Quintin’s family. They’d already been through enough.
Chapter 25
Bethany was worried sick about Quintin. He’d been gone more than twenty-four hours, and nobody had seen or heard from him. She knew Aaron was ready to explode by the way he snapped at everyone. It was hard not to say something about his behavior, but he was concerned about the kid.
She sat focused on the television with several of Aaron’s family, her family, and most of the men who worked for Keith. The news anchor was reporting on the missing young man and the connection with the arrests of the three men.
“Quintin Watts was last seen yesterday a little after three. He left his home through an upstairs window. If anyone has seen him, please contact the Newfoundland Police Department…” Bethany stopped listening when she saw Aaron heading outside alone.
She slipped out of the living room where everyone sat around the television and stepped outside. Aaron had his back braced against the house with his hands clasped and resting on top of his head. Bethany’s heart broke at the stressed expression on his face.
“You need a hug?” Bethany stepped in front of him.
“I can always use a hug from you.” Aaron dropped his hand and wrapped his arms tightly around her as he tucked his face in the nape of her neck.
“You’ll find him, Aaron,” Bethany whispered into his ear as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I’m just praying he’s not involved in any of this.” That was when she realized most of Aaron’s concern was that Quintin was involved in the situation.
“I don’t believe that, and I don’t think you do either.” Bethany pressed her lips against the side of his head, and he hugged her tighter.
“He runs off; half-cocked with a fucking rifle. If he kills anyone, no matter if it’s in self-defense or not, he’ll never come back from that, Bethany.” Aaron lifted his head, and she could see the tears in his eyes. “I care about all the kids I coach at that school. I want to see them all succeed, and it kills me this kid was dealt a tough hand. His mom died, his dad took off, and his brother murdered. Sure, Denise is doing her best, but that’s a lot for a kid to take. He and Mia have had a tough time.”
“Maybe he’ll come to his senses and come back home before he does something foolish.” Bethany cupped his face between her hands.
“Hey, A.J.” Jordan appeared in the doorway of the safe house.
“What’s up?” Bethany stepped back, but Aaron kept his arm around her.
“My cousin Larry is a pharmacist at one of the pharmacies on the list John just showed me. He's given me some great leads in the past on some of the people he suspected of selling narcotics. I tried calling him, but he hasn’t gotten back to me yet. You want to ride along with me and drop by his house to see if he knows any of these guys?” Jordan stepped outside and closed the door.
“Are you talking about Larry Foster?” Bethany remembered Craig had told her he was one of the pharmacists that he’d spoken with and had confirmed that he didn’t place any orders with Randy.
“Yeah, do you know him?” Jordan asked.
Bethany explained she only knew the name but how he’d been one of the pharmacists that Craig spoke to before Bethany returned to Newfoundland. The drug store he owned was also one of the ones that had the most invoices written out. Bethany figured Randy probably thought Craig wouldn’t question a regular customer.
“I’ll come with you, and maybe we should have John come along as well.” Aaron motioned for Bethany to go into the house ahead of him.
“Good idea.” Jordan followed them inside.
Bethany hoped this would get settled soon. The only person that they had to arrest was Slash, and she’d be free to take a walk on the beach or even a stroll down Harbour Street. What Bethany looked forward to the most was starting a life with Aaron. The one she should have had thirteen years ago.
“Are ya doin okay, ducky?” Nanny Betty handed a cup to Bethany.
“I’m doing okay. I feel a little guilty about your family having to be involved in all this.” Bethany stared down into the cup of tea.
“Ya got nothin’ ta feel guilty about. We’re here cause we care fer ya and A.J. loves ya. Me grandson has always loved ya and even though ya both were apart for a while, doesn’t change da fact dat family helps family.” Nanny Betty pushed a plate with a huge date square on it.
“I don’t want anyone to get hurt, and it seems like this whole thing is bringing more people into it every day. I’m so worried about that boy, and I only met him once.” Bethany sighed.
“Bethany, it’s because you’ve got a huge heart, just like my son.” She raised her head at the sound of Kathleen O’Connor’s voice.
“Thank you, Mrs. O’Connor.” Bethany smiled.
“You call me Kathleen or Mom. All my daughters-in-law
call me Mom.” Kathleen sat next to her and gave her a side hug.
“That’s right. The only woman that has a better mother-in-law than we do is, Mom O’Connor.” Billie sat next to Nanny Betty.
“I’m so glad you came home.” Jess grinned as she leaned on the back of Kathleen’s chair.
“Me too. As soon as this dumbass gets caught, we are gonna go out to The Rock or Club Harbor and dance the night away.” Kristy shimmied her shoulders as she referred to the two dance clubs in Hopedale.
“You might need a babysitter first, Kristy.” Alice O’Connor raised an eyebrow.
“That’s not a problem. I’ve got the best mom in the world.” Kristy winked at her mother.
“Maybe I want to dance the night away too.” Alice winked at Bethany.
“Mom, your idea of dancing the night away is sitting on the couch with Dad and swaying to country music on the radio.” Isabelle laughed.
“Fine, I’d rather spoil my grandson anyway.” Alice smiled.
“That is the best part of being a grandmother.” Kathleen laughed.
“You’ve got a few more than I do, Kathleen.” Alice laughed.
Bethany sat back in her chair and listened to the lively conversation going on around her. She did feel like part of the family, and she hoped someday she would be, but until Slash was in jail, that would have to wait.
Chapter 26
Aaron sat in the back of John’s car listening to his brother talk with Jordan. He wasn’t paying attention to the conversation, and at that point, it just sounded like murmurs. All he could think about was if Quintin was okay and how long Bethany was going to be in danger.
They’d dropped by the pharmacy, but when Jordan came out, he said the staff said Larry hadn’t shown up for work in two days. They hadn’t been able to get in touch with him.
“That’s not like Larry.” Jordan was concerned.
“We’ll head to his house and see if he’s there.” John made his way to the address Jordan gave him.
A few minutes, later they pulled up next to a narrow two-story house. It was grey with black shutters, and all the curtains closed. Since it was in downtown St. John’s, the house was attached on both sides, and the only place to park was on the side of the road.
As Aaron, John, and Jordan got out of the vehicle, Jordan searched up and down the road for his cousin’s car. It was evident to Aaron that the police officer was concerned about his cousin.
“His car is parked across the street.” Jordan pointed to the green Toyota directly across from the house.
Jordan ran up the front steps and knocked on the door. After a few minutes and nobody answered, he knocked a second time. Aaron walked up to the end of the row of houses on one end, and John went the other way.
“This isn’t like him.” Jordan stood back and looked up at the windows on the second story.
“We could try around the back, but it looks like there’s no way to get there unless one of the neighbors lets us go through their houses,” Aaron heard his brother say as he came back to the front of Larry’s house.
“Is he married or does anyone have a key to his place?” Aaron asked.
“No, he’s a loner, and his parents are both gone. My siblings and I are the closest family he has, and he doesn’t associate with us very often.” Jordan sighed. “I can kick the door in.”
“He could be hurt or sick.” John looked up and down the street.
“Fuck it.” Jordan ran up the steps and gave the flimsy door a couple of hard kicks.
It flew open, and without a thought, Aaron pulled his weapon out of its holster. He didn’t have to look to know John and Jordan did the same as they slowly made their way into the house.
“Larry, it’s me, Jordan.” There was no response.
Aaron slowly made his way through the lower level of the house as Jordan continued to shout out his cousin’s name. As they made their way up to the second story of the house, Aaron detected an odor that couldn’t be mistaken.
“That smell isn’t a good sign,” John whispered.
“Jesus.” Jordan gagged as he moved closer to the only closed door in the upstairs.
“You want one of us to do that?” John grabbed Jordan’s arm before he opened the door.
“I got this.” Jordan turned the knob while John and Aaron kept their weapons raised.
When Jordan shoved the door open, the putrid smell had Aaron choking. John covered his mouth and nose with his shirt and Aaron did the same. They stepped just inside the door and glanced around the room.
On the bed, something was covered with a dirty blanket, and Jordan stepped toward it. He lifted the corner and dropped it quickly turning away as he gaged.
“I’m pretty sure it’s Larry.” Jordan coughed.
“We need to call the coroner.” John stepped out of the room and Aaron motioned for Jordan to go ahead of them as they stepped out of the room and made their way out of the house into the fresh air.
“I didn’t see a whole lot, but he was wearing his lab coat.” Jordan holstered his weapon.
“Something’s weird about this,” John said as he shoved his phone into his pocket.
“By that smell, he’s been dead for a while. When was the last time you talked to him?” Aaron turned to Jordan.
“Last week. I’ll check my phone.” Jordan pulled his phone out and scrolled through his calls. “Ten days ago.”
“They said he hasn’t been at work in two days.” John turned to Jordan.
“Yeah, but this is Wednesday, and he doesn’t work on the weekends. The last time they would have seen him would have been Friday.” Jordan turned and glanced at the open door. “Fuck.”
“I’m sorry, Jordan.” Aaron put his hand on the man’s shoulder.
“I get the feeling all this is connected to this guy Slash. Don’t ask me how I know but it’s a gut feeling.” Jordan turned to John.
“You think he’s involved?” John glanced at Aaron.
“It’s just too coincidental that A.J.’s girlfriend hears this ass Slash shoot someone who had fake invoices for the same pharmacy that Larry owns. Then there’s Levi, who thinks he’s sending me info on this gang but it’s not my email.” Jordan wasn’t wrong.
It was as if there was a bunch of puzzle pieces, but they were missing the one part that joined them all. The good thing about it was Aaron loved puzzles.
“I don’t believe in coincidences when it comes to this shit.” Aaron shook his head.
“Me either and as much as I care about my cousin, I always found it odd that he knew when someone was illegally selling narcotics.” Jordan sighed.
Two hours later, attendants from the coroner's office wheeled Larry’s body to the transport vehicle. The corpse needed to go to the morgue for autopsy. John and Aaron borrowed masks to cover their mouths and noses to mask the smell that still lingered inside the room.
A team of forensic specialists collected evidence around the room. Aaron made his way into another room at the top of the stairs. It looked as if Larry used it as a home office and his laptop was opened up on the desk.
Aaron walked to the other side of the desk and glanced at the screen that was open to Larry’s email program. Aaron pulled on a glove and leaned down to skim through the emails. Nothing seemed out of place, but Jordan Foster NPD was the name listed on the email in the sent folder.
“John,” Aaron shouted as he opened one of the emails.
“What did you find?” John appeared in the doorway and Aaron motioned him to come around the desk.
“I found out who Levi was exchanging emails with.” Aaron pointed to the listed of deleted emails still sitting in the folder.
“Jesus H. Christ,” John growled. “Jordan’s cousin is in this up to his fucking eyeballs.”
“What?” Jordan’s voice could only be described as an infuriated growl.
“Sandy said the emails were coming from an email service where you make up your own address. The problem is it’s set up under your
information,” John explained.
“What the fuck was he doing? Was he trying to get me fired from the force?” By the expression on Jordan’s face, Aaron was sure that the man was not involved.
“Jordan, I’m going to have to ask you to stay out of this investigation.” John walked toward the distraught officer, but he held his hands up to stop John.
“I get it, John. I’ll hand in my badge and weapon at the station.” Jordan was about to walk off.
“I’m not suspending you, Jordan. I’m not your supervisor, but for this investigation, you need to step back,” John explained as Aaron followed them out of the house.
“I understand, John. I can’t believe he would do this to me. He’s my fucking family.” Jordan shook his head.
“Here’s some advice. Tell your brothers and sisters about Larry and let yourself grieve for your family. Worry about the other stuff later. We know you had nothing to do with this.” John and Aaron walked Jordan to his car.
“John’s right, be with your family, Jordan.” Aaron squeezed the man’s shoulder and motioned for one of the guys to give Jordan a ride.
“Thanks A.J. Do me a favor?” Jordan grabbed Aaron by the shoulders.
“What?”
“Find the bastard who’s the missing piece in this damn fucked-up shit.” Jordan dropped his hands.
“We’ll do everything we can. I want to get this fucker as much as you do.” Aaron backed away to let the car drive off.
John was watching Aaron when he finally turned back to his brother. There was an expression on John’s face that Aaron couldn’t read and it concerned him. John never looked at a loss even when he was, but at that moment his brother looked utterly baffled.
“He’s not involved in this, John.” Aaron was completely confident in Jordan’s innocence and he wanted to make sure John knew that.
“I know, A.J.” John sighed. “I’m just worried about that kid.”
“I know. I also wonder what exactly Quintin does know.” Aaron followed John back to the car.
By the time Aaron arrived back at the safe house, Quintin was still missing, and Denise’s family were beside themselves with worry. It was after midnight and Crunch had told him Bethany had gone to bed a couple of hours earlier.
Dangerous Witness (O'Connor Brothers Book 7) Page 19