Page 77 of Monk
Not everything worked out for the best. Zavala and his sicario Xavier escaped during the firefight. They went to ground, and nobody can find them. Likely, nobody will. They’ll only resurface when they’re ready. And without Zavala, there is no case to be made against Spencer. Although, he did finally relent and sign the divorce papers. He’s also been put on notice that if he ever sets foot in Blue Rock again, he’ll have to deal with us, which makes me positive we’ll never see him again.
A high-profile case like that, one involving a cartel as notorious as Zavala’s is bound to attract the attention of the feds. At the same time, they’re also searching for one of their own, who’s gone missing. A deep cover agent tasked with infiltrating white supremacist militias and dismantling them from the inside.
That’s the thing that’s been eating at me the most lately, even as I’m doing my best to put it out of my head. It truly was a case of us or them. I made the decision to protect myself, my brothers, and my club. And now, I’ll have to find a way to live with it.
I’m sitting on the top of a picnic table, sipping a beer as I watch the bonfire burn. The Pharaohs compound, at least for today, has been turned into a family fun zone. All of the guys have invited their families for a barbecue and bonfire. On the far side of the compound, Max and our other two prospects are working the grills, turning out burgers and dogs almost as fast as the crowd can eat them.
A group of kids are playing together, their squeals and laughter barely audible over Metallica’sOne, blasting over the speakers. All around me, people are laughing, enjoying themselves, and enjoying each other.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Kasey says as she drops down onto the top of the table beside me.
“Nothing too heavy. I was just thinking how nice of a day it’s been. And how rare they seem to be,” I reply.
“Which is why it’s so important to cherish them when they do come around.”
“Well said.”
I put my good arm around her shoulders and pull her close. My other arm remains in a sling and probably will for a few more weeks. The bullet they dug out of me had done some damage, but nothing permanent. They’d patched me up and the doctor warned me to avoid doing anything with it at all until he gave me the thumbs up.
“How’s the shoulder?”
“Still attached.”
“Smartass.”
I shrug. “Yeah, but you seem to like it.”
She smiles and plants a soft kiss on my lips. “Actually, I love it.”
I return her smile and then I look over to see her father standing with Prophet, Poe, Cosmo, and Doc. They’ve all got glasses of bourbon and cigars, talking and laughing with one another.
“I never thought I’d see the day. Didn’t think it was even possible,” I say.
Kasey follows my gaze, a warm smile on her lips. “He’s getting there. He’s doing better about not being such a judgmental prick. I’m actually really glad he’s here.”
I nod. “Me, too. He’s actually not a bad guy when he’s not trying to arrest us for everything, including the assassinations of JFK and Abraham Lincoln.”
“Well in his defense, you haven’t exactly provided a solid alibi for either event.”
I laugh and plant a kiss on the crown of her head. She melts into me and I relish the feeling of her pressed to me so closely. This is something else I never thought I’d live to see… Kasey and I back together. She moved into my place about a week ago, much to the delight of Bo, who just adores her. As do I.
We’ve been able to move past what happened so long ago, and we are now content with focusing on what’s to come. And frankly, I’m excited about it. Looking forward to, and being optimistic about, the future has never been my specialty. But with Kasey by my side, I am starting to honestly believe that all things are possible.
Sheriff Singer saunters over to us, cigar hanging out of the corner of his mouth, glass of bourbon in hand. His cheeks are flushed, and he has the look of a man pretty well into his cups. I have to give him credit, though, as he’s holding himself together very well. Behind him, Prophet and the guys are laughing and hurling insults at him, hazing him like they would any other prospect. That’s how I know they’ve genuinely come to like the guy.
Singer stops before me and I feel Kasey tense up, almost subconsciously. He looks me in the eye for a long moment, not saying anything, and I’m wondering if the bourbon’s made him mute. Finally, he opens his mouth, he surprises me.
“You know, for a long time, I didn’t like you,” he starts.
I chuckle. “Yeah, I kinda got that.”
“I judged you by your parents. Figured you’d turn out just like ’em. And when I heard you joined this outfit, it confirmed what I thought all along… you’re a dirtbag and a criminal.”
“Dad,” Kasey whispers harshly.
He gives her a smile and holds his hand up. “Slow down now, girl. The point I’m getting to is that I was wrong. About all of it. You. The club. I was being a… what was it you called me, honey? A bigoted, ignorant prick?”
“Among other things,” she says with a roll of the eyes.
