Page 57 of The Smart Killer
“Alicia let me in. She was on her way out to work,” Ray replied casually, his eyes meeting Noah’s as he sat across from him.
“Well, at least one of you got permission. For a moment, I was starting to think that my family just thinks this placeis an open house,” he added, referencing the earlier encounter with their father. He sniffed hard and took a breath, feeling his muscles relax.
“And?”
“We got ’em,” Ray said, his voice a mix of triumph and urgency.
“Got who?” Noah asked.
Ray leaned forward and handed him his phone. “Hit play,” he said, then confidently sat back, his eyes fixed on Noah.
Noah tapped the screen, and a video started to roll. The scene unfolded in a chaotic blur of lights and music. As the footage played, recognition flickered in Noah’s eyes. “Is that…” he began, his voice trailing off.
Ray nodded. “Big G’s bowling alley. Video footage was taken from one of our undercover cameras.”
Noah leaned in, glued to the screen, observing the interaction near the bar where teens bought sodas and snacks. He watched as Zeke, the familiar face of a troubled youth, engaged in conversation. “I’m surprised I haven’t seen you here before. I’m usually good with faces,” Zeke said, his tone smooth.
“I’m meant to meet a friend here.” The camera shifted as the person moved.
Noah tilted his head. Something about that voice. Familiar. The thump of music made it hard to hear.
“Well, you are a pretty little thing. Tell me. You looking to get hooked up?” Zeke’s words dripped with sleaze.
“Is that supposed to be a pickup line?”
That voice again. It could almost be. A hand moved into the frame to pick up a cup of pop. Noah’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the ring, a distinctive piece that Lena had given to Mia. His gaze lifted, meeting Ray’s knowing eyes.
Then, Zeke spoke again. “You know, the stuff that makes you forget all the crap.”
Mia hesitated before asking, “How much does it cost?”
“Nothing. The first one is free. On the house. My treat.” Zeke reached under the bar and pulled out a small bottle. He uncapped it, removed the plastic top from Mia’s drink, and poured it in. “There you go, sweetheart. Drink up. I guarantee it will blow your mind.” He set the small bottle back under the counter.
Ray sat across from him, a triumphant smile tugging at his lips. “You made Mia go in?” Noah asked, his voice strained, his anger evident.
“No. She wanted to. I mean, I took her out for that ride-along she’s been bugging me about because you won’t take her out."
“For good reason.”
“Noah, she’s seventeen. She’s got her eyes fixed on following in our footsteps.”
“Ray. You made her go in!” he said again, loudly.
“It’s not a crack house, Noah. Teens go in there every day.” Ray shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“You don’t get it.”
Ray waved him off. “It was all unofficial.”
“Oh, unofficial? Are you out of your damn mind! Getting a teen involved? My daughter?”
Ray leaned forward eager to get his point across. He stabbed a finger at the floor. “She was able to obtain something we may not have been able to find out, let alone get,” Ray explained, his tone measured, his excuse valid in his mind.
Noah set the phone down, his mind reeling with a complex mix of emotions. “When was this?” he asked, his voice barely containing his frustration.
“Last night,” Ray replied, his eyes gauging Noah’s reaction yet revealing some regret, now in hindsight.
Noah lost it. He lunged at his brother, his hands finding their way to Ray’s collar, his grip tightening as he shouted, “After what happened to Ethan, you sent my daughter in there?!”
