Gary moused around and found images of the Gao family. “Nothing is private,” he muttered. “Look there. Here’s Gao with his first wife. Some from the wedding. That was a spectacular affair.”
“Where is the first wife now?” Theo asked as if he weren’t looking at wedding pictures of a man who could not possibly be Albert Gao but looked exactly like him.
“Long dead. Gao only remarried after.”
“If Albert is twenty-one”—Theo tapped a finger against the surface of his desk—“Gao would have been married to the first Mrs. Gao when he was born.”
Gary made notes using the dates from social announcements in the paper. “Gao’s legitimate child was born around that same time, the girl. My God, I think I went to her christening….”
Theo couldn’t believe his luck. “What was the first Mrs. Gao like?”
Deep furrows appeared between his brows. “I have barely any memory of her, isn’t that strange? An unremarkable woman in an attractive knit suit. I suspect she took a more traditional role in her husband’s life.”
“Elaine Gao isn’t the traditional type.” Gary laughed with him.
And if Elaine had Gao’s natural son to reserve for the best possible moment—for example, when Gao’s family was divided after his death?
“Oh no.” Theo suddenly wondered if something Koa and his department, and every federal agency, thought was a major global problem was actually local and specific to one woman, one boy, and one massive inheritance.
Gary flashed a brief smile. “Your mother believes you’ve come to a crossroads. Are you having second thoughts about being a police officer?”
Theo blew out a breath. He still couldn’t hide shit from his mother. “She said that?”
“Here’s what I think.” Dark eyes pinned him with new fatherly concern, and he squirmed. “You came home because you wish to honor your mother now that your father isn’t standing in your way. And there are other things, aren’t there? That make you wonder if your father’s path is right for you.”
Fighting words. “You don’t know that.”
What’s worse than a stepfather picking at the scab a father left behind?
Gary inclined his ever-so-regal head. “I mean no disrespect to your father. He simply never valued the things your mother valued. You’re so much more like Iwalani—”
“Stop talking about my dad.” Theo lowered his brows. Any boy would. Who was this man to tell him—
“Your mother values… unseen things. And she’s as fearless in her pursuit of justice as you are, so please. Let’s not argue.” Gary swallowed a gentle smile. “I honor the sacrifice he made. But you’re more like Iwalani than you know.”
“You’re right, of course. But that’s only half the story.” He didn’t want to add to the information this man had. Nor could he deny it. “I have to fuse both halves, don’t I, and become my own man.”
Gary seemed to weigh some issue and come to a conclusion. “Your mother loved your father.” There seemed to be a but on the way….
“And?” he asked hopefully.
“But—” Theo was right. It was a but. “—she’s my wife now. I love her. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it.”
“Sure.” Theo blew out a breath, because he had no problem with that. He’d seen how happy Gary made his mom. Finally, maybe, he could do something to acknowledge the fact. “And… you know, I’m really…grateful… because—”
“Right. That’s why words get stuck in your mouth.” Gary put his computer to sleep. “Why you avoid me at every opportunity. A boy whose mother moves on might feel—”
“I’m gay,” Theo blurted. “Just in case that’s a thing.”
“Breaking news. Water is wet!” Gary’s laughter was so genuine this time, it surprised both of them.
“A’ight.” Theo squinched his gaze. “I see how it’s gonna be. I need Mom’s car.”
Gary probably thought he was joking. “Oh, son.”
“No, really,” Theo implored. “I had to leave my bike, and it probably got impounded. I need to fix something I broke, or—”
“Theo. If you take your mother’s car, she’ll kill you.”
“Oh, nah.” Theo waved away his stepfather’s advice. “I swear. It’ll be fine.”
“Er.” Worried now, Gary held up his hand. “Your mother will come in here any minute if she’s not listening at the door. I would hate for her to believe—”
“No! You just carry on. As you were.” Theo stood hastily and made a shooing motion toward his stepfather’s computer. State of the art, it had started flashing beautiful pictures of faraway places. “I know where she keeps the keys.”
“But—”
“It’s fine,” Theo reassured. “I promise. I’ma go out through the back. Tell Mom I’ll see her.”
His stepfather stood. “You know, I’d really like to have a normal conversation with you sometime. Perhaps we could talk about that Plummet book you gave your mother. I read it and found it quite—enjoyable.”
“Sure. Absolutely.” Theo nearly laughed. “I met Mackenzie Detweiler.”
“Really?” Gary’s delighted expression surprised him. “I saw him on the news. He seems a bit… flaky. Perhaps the fall…?”
“He’s absolutely crazy.” Theo laughed, because Gary could have no possible clue how crazy. “I’ll tell you all about it sometime. Detweiler is a piece of work.”
But then he sobered. How helpless must Koa feel? He and Ortiz had to pretend to be something they weren’t when anyone with eyes—when even Albert, whom no one paid any mind—could see right through them.
Well. He had eyes too.
“I’ve got to run. Tell Mom I’ll be home when I get home.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
ONE THING about Theo’s mom, she was a creature of habit. He found the keyless remote to her car hanging on the key-shaped plastic plaque on the wall by the back door, took it, and slipped outside. He ruthlessly justified the theft by telling himself she’d want him to straighten things out.
And of course, that sort of thinking was ridiculous, considering his objective lived in a house behind electrified fences where men with guns patrolled the grounds. So maybe this was the exact opposite of what any sane person would do, but then Theo asked himself…
What would Mackenzie Detweiler do?
In a frightening flash of almost-clarity, the answer came that one thing Kenzie Detweiler definitely would not do was leave his man to fate.
“Ragno Pizzeria.” The voice on the phone was a woman’s. Husky.
“Cake?” Theo hoped it was. “Spider’s not back yet, is he?”
“’Fraid not.” She sounded pissed. “And the dairy delivery was late as usual, so—”
“Okay. Look. I don’t have an answer for that.” He took the time to put the top down on his mom’s convertible. “But I need you to write this address down.”
“Wait, what?”
He gave her the address of the house off Kam Highway. “Just write it down and keep it. If anyone asks, that’s where I’ve gone. I’ll explain the next time I see you.”
Reluctantly, she did as he asked. He said goodbye and hung up. He tried Calista’s number, but she didn’t pick up.
Stupid. This is so stupid.
He’d considered his options. He could sneak into Gao’s highly fortified place, try to get past a well-trained security force, and possibly get himself killed, or he could drive up to the front door and ask for what he wanted.
“Leave me and my goddamned boyfriend alone,” just like that.
Sounded crazy, but crazy could work.
He waited for a break in traffic and then pulled out with the intention of heading to H-2. Balmy breezes perfumed the air with the scent of the sea and flowers from his mother’s garden. Tourists vied for dominance in crosswalks and on benches and anywhere there was food and drink to be had.
The drive was long, full of mind-numbing stop-and-go at first, and then long dark stretches of bla
ck nothingness. On Kam Highway, people ignored traffic signs and crosswalks and common sense to get to bars or buy dope or—he honked at yet another shrimp truck.
On the way, Theo stopped at a Little Caesars and picked up half a dozen pies. At a liquor place, he bought two cases of Longboard Lager beer.
The rest of the way he shouted affirmations at the top of his lungs.
I have everything I need with me at all times.
I woke up to win today.
I am filled with peace and healing light.
Nobody paid him any mind—even when he pulled up outside Gao’s massive gates, parked beneath the blinding security light like a fucking boss, and held the pizza and beer up for whoever was monitoring the security cameras.
“I know you can see me. I have pizza.” Ragno was a thousand times better, but whatever. When Theo found out which of Gao’s goons roughed up Spider, he was going to return the favor with interest.
“Hey, guys,” he shouted. “I’m baaaaaaaack.”
When nothing happened, he laid on the horn. Once, twice. Goddamn his mother’s car, her horn sounded like an angry ladybug. He hoped they heard it.
He put the pizza down and waved both arms. “Hey!”
No one replied over the intercom, and the gates stayed closed. Undaunted, Theo got a slice of pizza from the box and waved it at the camera and mimed drinking a beer.
“Hits the spot, huh? Hey, Albert! I brought pizza. And beer. You said you were twenty-one, but you don’t like to drink, and I gotta ask myself—did anyone ever show you how to do it right? Aaaaalbert…” No one appeared. Behind him, cars whizzed by on the highway. He could do this all night. He called again. “Aaaaalbert! Come on, man. I brought the party, the least you could do is—”
Gzzzht. The gate slid open, and Theo didn’t hesitate. He leaped into the driver’s seat and drove his mom’s car over its tracks. The little Mercedes plunged down the steep driveway. Instead of the garage, Theo parked right in front of the steps leading to the house.
As soon as he opened the car door, a group of armed men surrounded him. “Don’t ding the car, don’t ding the car!”
My life is over if they ding the car.
“Tingzhi!” A shout from the house got everyone’s attention. They stood down. Albert fairly flew down the steps toward him, spectacular frown in place where a sweet smile had been the day before. Was it only yesterday? Felt like for-fucking-ever.
He asked Theo, “What are you doing here?”
“I came to party.” Theo picked up the beer.
“Bullshit.” Albert shot the guards a discreet glance before saying, “You should not be here.”
Theo disagreed. “Isn’t this my Airbnb?” He got out his phone and pretended to scroll through emails. “It says right on the website, electrified gates, hired muscle, St. Andrew’s cross—”
“Hush.” Reluctantly, Albert’s lips curved into a smile. He was amused, even if his men were not. Theo hid his laughter while they relieved him of his pizzas. He and Albert hung on to a Hawai‘ian pie and some of the beer.
“I come in peace, Albert. Let’s parlay.” Theo gave his best smile.
“Come in.” Albert jerked his head toward the front door. He motioned to one of the men, dismissed him with a nod, and led Theo inside the house.
From there, the sound of some guy playing a video game on the Twitch channel drowned out Theo’s roaring heart. “Where is everyone?”
“No one is here but me.”
“Guess you don’t count muscle?”
Albert gave a slight shake of his head. Theo viewed the place with fresh eyes.
“So, what does Prince Albert do for fun?” he asked. At twenty-one, Albert should be in college, right? “You still in school?”
“I finished.” A small smile accompanied the boast, along with a flush. “And don’t call me Prince Albert.”
Theo figured the kid was isolated and lonely. He was a little scared, a little turned on. It killed Theo to take advantage. He promised himself that he’d make it up to Albert when this thing, whatever it was, was over.
While Albert put the beer into the refrigerator in the wet bar, Theo hiked himself onto the counter. He sat cross-legged, leaned back on his hands, and watched Albert place each can in a neat row. Albert was a careful boy. Anxious to please. He reminded Theo of himself, actually.
Albert had many, many secrets, and he wanted to unburden himself. Theo peered into his eyes. “You know what I think, Albert?”
Albert shook his head and whispered, “No.”
“I’ll bet we can fix this whole thing, just you and me.” He held Albert’s gaze. “Without any weapons. Without leverage, or extortion, or anybody doing anything stupid.”
Albert shook his head sadly. “Not possible.”
“Yeah it is. Because to me”—Theo had to feel his way here—“this sounds like a horrible, horrible misunderstanding. Like, if you could only tell me the whole truth—”
“There’s no whole truth.”
“Sure there is.” Theo held his hand out for a beer. “What I think happened here is you didn’t tell me the whole truth, and when you do, we’ll be able to get to the heart of the matter.”
He studied his hands. “Only business matters. Hearts don’t.”
Pay dirt.
“You don’t like your mom’s business?” Albert’s shocked black gaze caught his and slid away. “I know she’s your mom. Let’s start with that.”
Albert said nothing.
“Tell me about the dead woman, Albert. Who was she? Tell me why your mother is going through all this effort to obscure the identity of one dead woman.”
Albert glanced around. “The girl—she—”
Behind them, a door opened so hard it banged against the wall, startling them both. Zhang came in, followed by two hulking men. His smile disappeared when he saw Theo.
“When Mr. Chen said Palapiti’s playmate was back, I did not believe him.”
“’M not here for you.” Theo grinned Albert’s way. “I came to party with Albert.”
Zhang eyed them, probably looking for a way to intervene. Albert’s glare dared him to try it. Zhang said, “Albert can’t give a man like you what he needs.”
Albert’s cheeks darkened furiously, and he ripped off a hell-blazing tirade in Mandarin. The translational gist was “Get out and leave me alone or I’ll kill myself and then you’ll be sorry, and you know I’ll do it too.” After, their dialogue contained some colorful metaphors.
Oh yeah. This was the scion of a rich family, used to getting what he wanted, and Zhang was in his employ, not the other way around. Theo planned to use that information, exploit that pride and yearning for more, God help him.
Albert shouted, “You’ll find out what I can do soon enough.”
“Albert. Relax.” Fake indulgent smile firmly in place, Zhang and his goons oiled their way past them. “No need to get so overwrought about a little beer.”
When Zhang reached the top of the stairs, he stood there far too long. It was as if he dared Theo to glance up. Much to Theo’s chagrin, his curiosity got the better of him and he did so.
Zhang smiled as though he’d won some important battle.
Let him believe that. But also, let him believe Theo had prepared for this. Let him believe Theo had an awesome plan, and outside help, and that he was ready to fight for his, Freddie’s, and Koa’s lives, because at least one of those things was true.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“ALBERT….” THEY watched eighties movies, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Breakfast Club, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, in the Gao’s darkened media room. The kid was half-asleep because—beer. So sweet. Theo felt a sort of brotherly affection for him now.
It had been painfully easy to get Albert to open up about his life, about his mother’s wealth, and the restrictions it put on him. He was a lonely kid who’d blazed through school because he had nothing else to do. He’d received a master’s in economics at twenty years o
f age—the same year his father had died, leaving a power vacuum in an international enterprise whose motto could easily be stated: blood in, blood out, blood everywhere.
And no one knew he was alive.
Theo had the queasy feeling a man gets when he’s done something despicable. The longer the afternoon wore on, the worse the feeling grew.
“Hey, Albert.” They lay side by side in movie theater–style recliners in a room engineered for gaming and chilling with friends, though Albert didn’t have any. Theo barely noticed the massager—he was too busy directing the conversation. His voice vibrated when he spoke. “Tell me about the woman who died.”
Albert gave a negative shake of his head and lied, “I don’t know anything about that.”
Theo groaned. “It doesn’t work that way. Whatever they’re asking of Koa and Freddie? That’s never going to be the end of things. Once we go along, we’re stuck, yeah? We’re all stuck. You have leverage, but we know your secrets too. Your mother will own my friend, and she’ll force him to betray the job, and in return, we all get to look over our shoulders for the rest of our lives. That’s about it, isn’t it, Albert? Is that really how you want things to be?”
“What can I change?” Leather creaking, Albert sat up. “My mother’s fortune is built from alcohol and drugs and fetish. She didn’t pick those things because they’re safe and sane. How does my mother make you feel?”
“Your mom scares me, but she wouldn’t if she was on my side. Look, I’d be drummed off the force if I said being you would make me feel empowered, huh? You’ve got everything. Cash and brains and looks.” Theo laughed. “I’m probably gonna get drummed off the force anyway, but I figure it’s important to decide what you want in life and then—here’s the thing—you never let anything stand in the way of getting that thing. Secret of life.”
“I know what you want.” Unhappiness filled the boy’s dark eyes. “Koa Palapiti.”
Time to come clean. “Yeah, Albert, he’s my man. If I have to go through every single one of your mother’s people, one at a time, I will get Koa Palapiti out of this thing she put him in. I won’t stop at anything. He’s my dangerous alien baby, like in the movie. Family. Ohana.” He reached over and gripped Albert’s forearm. “But I’m asking for your help.”
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