Page 57 of Coff

While it’s clear, I make my way back to my car. I notice a large sign near the entrance to the lot stating it’s a park and ride. Odd place for one, but it explains why there are so many vehicles here.

After I get back into my rental, I position my phone camera to snap some photos of whatever they carry out of that warehouse. At the very least, I’ll have photos of the men that my brother might find helpful.

As I’m waiting, an explosion rocks the building, shattering the windows on the second level and blowing off two of the doors. I duck down as debris flies from the building and lands on several cars, causing two car alarms to activate.

Slowly, I sit up. My car seems fine, which is good since I didn’t opt for any extra insurance. But the building is not fine. The warehouse is on fire and going up fast. Is this what the guy meant when he said it was ready? Did Nelson take their money and then kill them?

Of course, he did. None of this should surprise me. I know what kind of man Rocky Manzia was, and anyone associated with him will be just as bad, if not worse.

But what about Duke? A man called his name in the building. If he was inside I doubt he survived. Did Nelson just take him out, too?

Several people run across the street from the apartments into the parking lot. Sirens grow louder, and I need to get out of here. I pull out of the parking spot and make my way to the back exit. As I approach, a black car blocks it. Then Brian steps out and aims his gun at my car.

“Get out of the car, now!” he shouts.

I open my door and put my hands out first so he can see I’m unarmed. Then I slowly stand up until I’m looking into the eyes of my brother.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” he says as he lowers his gun.

I shrug. Really, what else can I do?

“Did you do this?” He nods to the building.

I bite back a smile. Call me crazy, but it makes me happy that my brother knows I’m capable of blowing up a building. “No, but I know who did.”

“Unbelievable,” he says.

“How the hell did you get here so quick? I heard your office door close on our phone call,” I ask.

Brian frowns. “You heard my car door. I had a tip I was racing to.”

“A tip? From whom?”

He shakes his head. “Can’t tell you, you know that. Now follow me back to my office.” He gets into his car, and I follow him.

While he thinks he’s going to be questioning me, I’m not leaving his office until I know who gave him that tip.

CHAPTER8

Delaney

Fortunately,Nelson didn’t come home last night. I noticed because I was tossing and turning, thinking about my run-in with Logan. It’s been years, but now the idea of never seeing him again really bothers me. I think it was because I always held out hope that we would find our way back to each other. I’ve wanted to be able to tell him he was right about my father and that I had been too naïve to believe it.

He doesn’t want to see me again. Hell, he’s probably married with a family. And that was the thought that kept me up most of the night. But it shouldn’t. I made peace years ago with the fact he was making me choose him over my family. He knew I couldn’t do that.

By the time I make it to the office, I’m grumpy and exhausted. I make a pot of coffee and am sipping on my first cup when Duke walks in.

“Good morning,” he says.

I set down my cup. “You’re cheery this morning. Did you get good news?”

He stops at my desk. “No, just in a good mood.”

Nelson walks in wearing the same clothes as yesterday, but now they are crumpled.

“You didn’t come back to the house last night,” Duke says as he crosses his arms.

Nelson gives him a smile. “No, I stayed with a friend. A flexible friend.” He winks at Duke.

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