Page 47 of Special Agent Joseph

As if he sensed someone there, Joe paused and looked her way. Straightening as if to stand, she held up her hand for him not to.

“Don’t stop. Please. Keep playing. It’s amazing. What is it?”

“Hey, Megan. Glad to see you.” His hand automatically rested on Jack’s head, fondling his ears. Gesturing for her to sit nearhim, he waved the instrument. “It’s a harmonica blues solo that I often play when I’m thinking… helps me concentrate.” Lifting the instrument once again to his lips, he finished the song, leaving Megan with her eyes closed and her head back against the chair’s leathery smoothness.

“That was incredible, Joe. You’re very talented.”

“See. I really can’t say that. I only remember a few songs. Didn’t even know I played until I was listening to some music one night and remembered when the hospital gave me my belongings it included this toy.” He held up the harmonica. “As soon as I put it to my lips, I found out I could play but mostly western stuff. Then I heard this song on YouTube and had to try it. Turned out that with a bit of practice, I could master it too.”

He put the harmonica on the side table and leaned over again to pet Jack. “I’m glad you came. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I went to call you and then thought better of it.” As if the dog had his total concentration, he didn’t look her way at first. When the silence lasted, he noticed her confusion and added, “I didn’t think you’d want to hear from me.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because I work with Vinnie. And you must have figured out what he’s involved in.”

Megan sighed, remembering that as far as Joe knew… to her… he was a dirty cop. “Joe. I wanted to know how things went after I took Lucia to rehab. Besides, I understand you’re actually employed by the FBI to capture Vinnie now. And the truth of the matter is that I work for them too. I’m a special agent with the criminal investigation department.”

Joe’s face brightened. “Ahh… so it was you I saw in headquarters the other day. I thought I recognized you there. Clearly Vinnie and Lucia don’t know.”

Megan shook her head. “No.” She explained how she’d gotten involved with the family in the first place and appreciated himlistening right to the end without interruptions or questions. All he did was nod. “Makes sense. No wonder you were willing to go undercover at the bus station.”

Thinking back to that night brought her thoughts to what happened between them, and she blushed. Knowing he too was revisiting their time together, she admitted, “I have a weird metabolism. Me and drugs don’t bode well. Sorry for putting you in a spot.”

Shocked by her apology, his face clearly expressed his feelings. “Whoa! Don’t apologize. You’ll never see me complaining.” In the following silence, Joe stood, looking unsure. “Can I offer you a drink… some wine or a beer? I have liquor too. Anything you want actually.”

“Sure. A glass of wine might be nice. If you have a shiraz, it would be perfect.”

Joe headed to a bar in the corner of the room and came back with a fancy glass for her and bottle of beer for himself. He lowered the wine down in front of her and sat across from her, taking a sip from his bottle before putting it carefully on the table.

Smiling, he said, “I’m all ears. Tell me what brings you here.”

Unable to resist his smile, she returned it. “I got a strange text that I hoped you could explain. It says the drug bust is canceled. Do you happen to know anything about that?”

Nodding, he said, “Yeah. When I brought Lucia to Belvedere, Vinnie was waiting for us.” By the time Joe finished the story, Megan understood why the text had been so abrupt. No doubt, Kramer and Sheila were pissed on having missed the opportunity to catch Vinnie with the drugs.

Now they’d be forced to use their old method of capture which often didn’t work out in their favor. Placing undercover agents in the loading area to see if they could pick up on informationabout the various shipments heading to Vegas could be like betting on a trifecta.

“Do you believe that Vinnie meant what he said?”

“Yep. I’ve never seen such a quick about-face in a person. From one minute to another, he went from a satisfied aristocrat to the saddest pauper in the world. Seeing Lucia like that sent everything spiraling straight to the devil.”

“You feel sorry for him?”

“You didn’t see what I did. The man was suffering.”

“Actually, I did see it. I felt no sympathy…. well not for him. The fool got exactly what he deserves.”

Seeing Joe’s shock, Megan explained her reasoning. “Come on, Joe. Why should he get off scot free when his operations have broken so many other lives. The one I feel for is Lucia. She’s young, totally messed up, and hurting badly. And it kills me to know I didn’t stop her from this tragedy.”

Riddled with guilt from his own part in the sad events had been tearing at Joe prior to her arrival, but now sympathy for Megan drove him to sit beside her. Taking her hands in his, he spoke with authority. “No, Megan. Quit blaming yourself. Hell, if anyone is to blame it’s me. Kramer told me about my corrupt past, working with Vinnie. It disgusts me to know I might have any responsibility for that crap being out on the streets.”

Megan wriggled her wrists, reversing their hold so she ended up cradling Joe’s hands. Clinging hard, she lifted them to shake. “Stop it. You’re not the same man. Oh, I heard all about your past, but you’ve made restitution, and you were willing to put yourself in harm’s way to deceive Vinnie over the latest shipment. Sheila had some doubts about using you, and I told her she didn’t need to worry. That you would come through for us.”

Joe stared at her, surprise plastered over his features. “How can you know that?”

Shrugging her shoulders, she grinned. “Because… because I like you and I trust you. I can’t explain it. Something isn’t right in what they found at the accident. Tell me again what happened, and why they believe you’re Joseph Marcus. Did they ever do a DNA test?”

“Why would they? Come on, Megan. I look exactly like the guy, I was driving his car, and I had his wallet next to my body.”

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