Page 56 of Remote Access

Isaac returned with the napkins just as Quincy launched into the explanation of what Lane and the others were going to do in Maine. “We have no way of knowing just how many kids he blackmailed and turned into crooks, but so far, I’ve met three and Lane has found more. One actually burst into tears on the phone.” Lane had been all broken up about that one and he’d had to distract him with phone sex. “But they are desperate to make things right and I want to help them.”

“By keeping quiet?” Gareth asked.

Quincy bit his lip. “Yes. They’re basing it out of Letsen’s place and have access to all the files, his money, and a decent start on the return of stolen goods. If we keep quiet, it’ll work.”

“And how does old Hayrick feel about all this?”

“I’ll just say that Hayrick will not be a problem.”

The table was silent a few moments as they digested that news. He would have to live with the knowledge of covering up the man’s death the rest of his life. There was no need for his friends to live with that, too, so he didn’t elaborate.

Carter looked at Liam, his dark brows drawn down into a fierce frown. “I sincerely doubt we have jobs for much longer then. If we can’t take down Letsen, it’s not going to get easier for us here. We’re sticking it out, but Liam has been looking into doing private security. I’m ready to bail on the job myself now.”

“The neighborhood watch idea he had?” It could work. The only people who believed the two were dirty were cops—they weren’t quite as well-known as Gareth and Quincy in the area.

“So what about you and Lane?” Gareth suddenly asked. “You forget I know you and you’re missing that kid something fierce.”

He was. It felt like he’d left his heart back in Maine. As he looked around the table at friends who each had places in that heart, he didn’t know what to think. His whole life was here and always had been. He thought back to the last night with Lane and then the way he’d held Quincy so tight before he’d stepped onto the airplane that had brought him here.

They texted and talked on the phone but it wasn’t enough. He was completely and utterly in love with the little thief.

“Quincy?” Gareth prompted. “What are you going to do about him?”

He met his friend’s dark gaze and shrugged. “I have no idea.” He picked up a wing, then set it on the small plate in front of him, not sure his stomach would handle it with the way it was twisted up. “We need to be focusing on Rawlins.”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Isaac said as he leaned forward in his chair and propped his arms on the table. “I can put just enough files together to implicate him and because he’s been under investigation for the murder of a cop, he’s already in the crosshairs. I expect him to be on the news any day now.” He paused. “You know they’ll want you back when news of Rawlins’s duplicity is public. You’re a good cop.”

“I thought that’s what I wanted, but I honestly l don’t know right now.”

“You thinking of moving, Quincy?” Gareth asked.

He nodded. “I am.” He looked around the table, coming to the realization that that’s what he really wanted. He’d wanted his job—his life—back, but it was no longer here. The relief he felt then came as a wave of warmth throughout his body and his shoulders relaxed. “I care about you all very much, but I’m not sure… I’m not sure I can live without Lane.”

“The cop and the thief, eh?” Liam shook his head. “Out of all of us, you were the last I’d think would fall for one of the bad guys.”

“He’s not bad. Never was. And I miss him more than I thought I would. So yeah, I’m thinking of going. Think of the good I could do there. And any of you are welcome to go if this is what I decide to do.”

“We’d basically be living off stolen money,” Gareth answered, but there was something in his voice that told Quincy he was truly considering the idea.

“And using it for good.”

“I may go with you.”

He stared at Gareth, knowing the man felt like he had nothing left here with Sam gone. Since he and Quincy had been in each other’s pockets for ten years, he realized he wanted that just as much as he wanted to be in Maine with Lane. “I would like that.”

“Just how much money are we talking, Quincy?” This came from Liam, who was looking at Carter as he asked.

“Millions. More than enough to go around. It’s a gorgeous little town on Nascent Bay, too. I bet they could use more good cops on the force if you’re thinking what I think you are.”

“It’s crazy. Completely crazy,” Liam said.

“What do you have here, Liam? Your family?”

Liam’s lips tightened and Quincy wanted to kick himself for reminding the man of why he’d gone into law enforcement to begin with. His entire family was on the opposite side of the law—to the last man and woman. And none of them had ever forgiven Liam for more than one reason—the first of which had been him being gay. Liam was still staring at Carter.

“It’s something to consider.”

Isaac suddenly barked out a laugh. “I’m sensing much change in the air.”

---