Page 29 of Illicit

Tension rolls off the woman sitting next to me, but Teagan stays focused on Stella. “Can I give him the emails? He can get the subpoena started. This is going to make a huge difference. We can see who Jules is communicating with—maybe even find out something about your dad.”

That’s all it takes for Stella to come around. “Okay, I’ll do it. I trust you, Teagan. No one has cared about finding my father as much as you.”

It’s like Teagan forgets all about me. Her smile is genuine and from a simpler time.

Before we fucked it up.

“I wish I could give you a hug,” Teagan says. “I had some car problems, so I’m stuck in New Orleans for a couple days until I can get that sorted. I promise we’ll get together before I move. But even after that, I’m not giving up on you or your dad. I promise.”

Even over the small screen, it’s easy to see Teagan’s friend get emotional at the mention of her dad. That’s something I can’t fathom.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve gotten emotional about my father. But more like the I’d kill him if I could get away with it kind of emotional. And since he’s doing time in prison for manslaughter, that’s saying something.

There’s a ruckus in the background and Stella says, “I’d better go. The hellions are getting hungry. I don’t want them to hear me talking about their grandpa. We’ll talk soon?”

“Very soon,” Teagan promises with another warm smile.

She disconnects the call, turns to me, and warns, “Did you see that woman? She trusts me. I’ve developed a relationship with her whole family.”

It’s my turn to make a connection, even though I’ve been dreading it all day. I made a stop on the way home from Mississippi and bought a prepaid phone. This shit isn’t an official case. There was no way I could go into the office and ask the tech group to set me up with a phone that wouldn’t connect me to Uncle Sam. This needs to stay under the radar. I lean back to dig the phone number out of my pocket as I fire up the burner phone.

“Are you calling Jules?”

“Yes. I’m following through on my promise to you, Stella, and maybe building a case for myself. Just don’t tell my boss where I got the lead.”

“This is so exciting!” Teagan’s face lights up with more pleasure than I like for the topic at hand.

“Temper your expectations. Let’s be real, I doubt he’ll answer. I don’t know many bad guys who answer unknown numbers.”

“He might.” When she beams with excitement, I realize this makes her so happy, she lives for this shit. “He answered my email right away. He had no idea who I was.”

I type in the number from the card Robichaux gave me but pause before I press go and look at Teagan. “Even if he answers, it’ll be me. Not a young woman who excites him in ways that make me want to commit felonies.”

“Stop being so negative, Roc,” she admonishes. “Think good things. He’s going to answer. I mean, he might. There’s a good chance he might.”

I sit back and realize exhaustion is setting in from not sleeping last night, dealing with broken windows, burglarized apartments, and buying panties in every color under the sun that I’m trying my hardest not to think about at the moment. “I’m not negative. I’m realistic.”

She bops me on the shoulder with her fist. “We’re doing the right thing for good people. If we manifest it, it will happen. Or it might.”

I shake my head and look down at the screen. Right after I press go on the call, I put it on speaker.

Teagan pulls her feet up and tucks them under her ass in anticipation.

“Relax,” I say. “He’s not going to answer.”

With every ring, I’m ready to kill the call and try again tomorrow.

After the fourth ring, I’m about to hang up when the call connects.

Teagan’s gaze shoots to me as a voice over the line is as sharp as cut glass. “What?”

From that one simple word, I can’t decide if it’s actually him and pause before asking, “Robichaux?”

He does not pause. “Who’s asking?”

I narrow my eyes when Teagan starts to open her mouth and intercede. “Name’s Mack Crowder. We met yesterday at The Hotel Monteleone. You had a meeting with my woman, Stella Hayes.”

Teagan rolls her eyes.

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