Page 59 of Special Agent Joseph

“Look, by the time you’d recovered enough it was old news. Guess we figured the local police had gone over all that stuff with you.”

“Yet you were quick enough to label me with that bastard’s name.”

“Okay… you got me there. In our defense, we had proof it was your… ahh, Joseph’s truck that you were driving. Besides the fact that no one else was there, you fit the bill. Christ man, as far as his identity went, you crossed all the t’s. Not only are you weirdly alike both in size and facial structure; you didn’t dispute the fact.”

Joe pointed out, “Because I had no memory.

“Exactly. You couldn’t argue that you weren’t the same prick, so… we believed youwerethe man.”

“I want you to check my DNA.”

“Fine. We’ll take care of it.”

“Then run it through the FBI data bank… CODIS or whatever you call it. Maybe, I have a record.”

“Doubt it, but whatever you want.”

Sensing some humor in Tom’s answer, Joe grinned. “What makes you think I don’t have a record. I’m pretty bad ass. When it came to being in danger, I gotta admit, I was cool. Makes me think I’ve been in tight spots before.”

“Speaking of which, what are your plans now?”

“Well I can’t go back to Joseph’s house other than to get my things. Guess I’ll have to find a place to live.”

“That’s no problem. You can bunk with me as long as you want.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, man. It’s no palace like Joseph’s digs but I have an extra bedroom and Jack’s welcome.”

“Here I thought he’d stay with me.” Megan’s voice broke into the conversation, and Joe’s eyes narrowed with a condemning stare at Tom. “You messaged her.”

“That I did. You have no idea what pain our she-devil can inflict if she’s carrying a grudge. Plus, there’s no doubt she wanted to bring you up to date on everything.”

Megan slid into the seat beside Tom so she could watch for Joe’s reactions. “Why did you disappear?”

Joe raised his hand to the bartender for a new round and then took a sip of his beer… stalling. “You know why. That dude was the real Joseph Marcus. Me… I have no fucking idea who I am. Guess I figured I was free from facing any charges so no one would care if I made myself scarce.” He grinned in his own right-sided way, this time the humor obvious on his face. “Let’s face it. You can’t arrest me now. That’s good, right?”

Tom’s laugh was choked off when he saw the anger Megan didn’t try to hide. “Don’t be a smartass. You can’t just disappear.”

“I can’t?”

Her finger drove in close to his nose, and her voice held glass. “No, Joe. You can’t”

Contrite, he nodded and looked down at his beer. “Fine. Then you guys gotta help me figure out who the hell I am.”

Chapter Forty-four

Over the next few weeks, while waiting for the final results of his DNA, Joe helped Lucia deal with her dire situation. Refusing to go back into rehab, the poor girl fought every minute of the day to stay clean and keep focused. And after begging Joe to stick with her, he didn’t have the heart to refuse. Over their lunch one day, he finally questioned her reasoning for wanting him to stay with her at Vinnie’s house. “Why me, kiddo?”

“Megan suggested it. Said I needed help with the mess my grampa left, and she didn’t feel good about me living here alone. When she told me you wouldn’t live in Joseph’s place and that you might accept a job and bring Jack along, I knew it made a lot of sense.”

Joe finished chewing his pizza and wiped his face with the napkin their housekeeper insisted they use. Taking time to answer, he finally said, “She was right about me and Jack needing a place to live. Besides, Maria and her family are thrilled with this new arrangement and were happy to come with me.Manuel, her son, is ecstatic about the horses, and Jack here is more than content.” Joe reached down to pet the head nestled against his leg.

Grinning, Lucia waved her hand like a magician waving a wand. “See… it all worked out. It’s sad that I had to let the people go who were here before, but I never felt right with them watching every move I made and then reporting to Nonno.”

“Hey… that would freak me out too. By the way, I like the changes you’ve suggested. This old place needs to be opened up to let the sun in.”

“And without you acting as my guardian, none of this could be happening. I’m so glad you accepted my offer, and that the lawyers for the estate were able to carry out my wishes.”

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