Page 113 of Keep Him Like Secrets

With a grumble, Teresa tapped the screen to make it play.

A brunette newscaster filled the screen, face serious as she started speaking.

“Breaking news out of The Bronx tonight—NYPD officials have confirmed the arrest of a 42-year-old man found in possession of a significant quantity of xylazine, the dangerous sedative commonly known on the street as 'Tranq.'"

The screen cut to B-roll of flashing lights, police tape, and a table covered in plastic baggies.

“Authorities say the suspect, Alen Hakobyan, was apprehended during a late-night raid in the Soundview neighborhood where over three kilos of drugs were seized.

“Xylazine, a powerful animal tranquilizer, is not approved for human use, and is often cut with the dangerous drug fentanyl. Tranq has been linked to a sharp rise in overdose deaths across the city.

“This is a developing story. We will continue to bring you updates as the story progresses.”

“Holy shit,” I said as Teresa snatched back the tablet and silenced it as it ran to a commercial.

“I’m no expert or anything, but I’m pretty sure 3 kilos is enough to qualify for kingpin charges,” Teresa said. “He’s not getting out.”

Before I could even wrap my head around that, my phone was ringing in my pocket.

Saff.

“Fire the lawyer,” she said in my ear as soon as I answered.

“You heard?”

“I heard. Fire the fancy lawyer. Let him navigate this with a public defender. He will get the book thrown at him.”

“Right. Yeah, I’ll get on that.”

“Get on what?” Teresa asked. “What can I do?”

“Get Sheila on the phone,” I told her, watching as the gears turned.

“On it.”

“Was this… Primo?” I asked, thinking of the man whose doorstep they said they would throw Alen at.

“Yeah. It’s not usually his style. He’s typically a lot more… gritty than that. But I guess Renz explained the situation and he decided not to involve you in… all that.”

“Okay.”

“Fire the lawyer. This all goes away. Forever.”

“Teresa is on that.”

“Of course she is,” Saff said.

“Hey, I know T and you had a tense talk—”

“I’m not mad at her. She was right, after all. And I like how much she mama-bears you. It’s sweet. There’s no hard feelings on my end.”

“I don’t think there’s any on hers either.”

“Time will tell. Okay. Go handle that.”

“I’m on it. You coming my way tonight, or should I head back to you?”

“It makes more sense for me to come to you, since your work is there. And my work is… changing.”

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