Page 108 of Coff

My stomach drops. That can’t mean good news, and Trip knew the search was in regard to my brother. Am I ready to hear something I can’t unhear?

My heart is pounding at the idea that my brother might really be a traitor. I lean back as I remember when we were little. I crashed my bike into another one, and it caused the frame to bend. The owner was this older kid who picked on other kids in the neighborhood. I was scared, but I knew I had to tell him. It would mean I would become his target. But when he ran outside and saw the damage, my brother told him he’d done it.

There were countless other times when my brother stuck up for me like that. He always said loyalty is the most important thing. And as brothers, we always stuck together. I can’t imagine how he could go from that to working with the very men he was supposed to be putting away. Knowing I shouldn’t put it off, I call Trip.

“Hey, Trip, I got your text.”

He sighs. “Yeah. I’m afraid I don’t have good news.”

I close my eyes. “What did you find?”

“Your brother has an account he opened about a year ago that receives regular deposits. It stands out because those deposits are large. I looked up your brother’s salary, and it’s more than he makes.”

“You know what my brother makes?”

“Approximately. I just looked up the government wages for his likely level. But even if I’m wrong and he’s making the top pay grade, these deposits are still too high.”

I’m suddenly sick to my stomach. This is not what I wanted to hear. “Someone is paying him off.”

“It looks likely. And I wasn’t able to trace where the deposits are coming from yet. All I know is it is wired in from an account in Mexico.”

Dammit, Brian. Are you receiving money from the cartel? Are you involved with them? He did mention them. But why would he be?

“He’s been getting deposits for a year?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry to have to tell you all this. And I would have called you sooner, but I was trying to track down the source of the money.”

Nausea washes over me as it all sinks in. I had really hoped I was wrong. But this makes it real.

“Thanks for digging. I need to go.” I need to be alone right now. I end the call and grab my jacket. Instead of going to my car, I walk down the road. My head is spinning as I try to figure out what I should do.

If Brian really is involved with the cartel, then my knowing anything could get me killed. Or maybe Brian got himself into a situation and he needs help getting out of it but hasn’t felt he can ask. I go over all the possibilities as I walk through Brooklyn. Finally, I stop. Without more information, I’m going to drive myself crazy.

I pull out my phone and stare at it. Once I make this call, there is no going back. I call my brother.

“Logan, you must have read my mind!” Brian answers.

“Why?”

He laughs. “Because I was just about to call you. I have another assignment I need you for.”

Already? “What’s going on?”

“This isn’t something I can explain over the phone. I need you to come back to California.”

“I just got back. I’m still jet-lagged.”

“I’ve cleared it with Reed. You and the other guys leave tomorrow.”

Other guys? Reed agreed to this, knowing my brother might not be on the up and up? “Okay, I’ll talk to Reed then.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”

He ends the call, not giving me a chance to ask any questions. But this is probably a better conversation to have in person anyway.

I jog back to the office, and laughter comes from the kitchen. I cautiously enter and find Thunder, Ozzie, and Durango all wearing T-shirts with cats on them. Lightning is sitting at the table, staring at his phone, ignoring them. Axel is leaning against the counter, sipping coffee, trying to stay out of whatever this is.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

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