Chapter Twenty

Stephen

Phil and I had left the girls at the house and were making our way down to the warehouse.

Philippe - “I’ve got some more updates since we last spoke, Stephen. I didn’t want to call and disturb you while you were with your family.”

Stephen - “Anything useful?”

Philippe - “Enough to confirm our suspicions.”

Stephen - “So you have actual proof of what Chad was up to?”

Philippe - “Yes, Stephen. Come inside.”

We step inside the warehouse, and it’s like a wave of nostalgia hits me. It’s just as I remember it—clean, efficient, a well-oiled machine. That’s Phil’s style, and it’s why he’s been able to keep this operation going for so long.

Eduardo - “Is that Stephen I see? It’s been a long time, boy.”

Stephen - “Eddie, it’s good to see you, man.”

Eduardo - “You look well, Stephen. Must be a good woman keeping you looking that sharp.”

Phil and I share a laugh.

Stephen - “The best, Eddie. I just celebrated my second wedding anniversary yesterday. I’ve got twins who’ll be turning one in March—a boy and a girl. And we’ve got another baby on the way.”

Eduardo - “That’s our boy. We’re proud of you, Stephen.”

Eduardo is Phil’s right-hand man. He’s to Phil what Clint is to me. When my parents’ lives fell apart, Phil and Eddie took me under their wing. They kept me grounded and out of trouble. I owe these two men a lot.

Paolo - “Steve, man! What the fuck? Last I heard, you were out of the game. Good to see you, brother.”

Stephen - “Just a visit, Paolo. But it’s good to see you too.”

Paolo is Eddie’s son. We spent a lot of time together when we were younger. It was only natural that he’d follow in his father’s footsteps and join this life.

Eduardo - “So I’m guessing this isn’t a social visit, Stephen?”

Stephen - “I’m afraid I’ve brought my mess to your doorstep, Eddie. I’m sorry for that, but I’m here to help you guys sort it out.”

Eduardo - “No need to apologize, Stephen. You’ve got a family to think about now. But from what Phil’s told me, I’m guessing you need some answers to keep your family safe.”

Stephen - “If you’ve got them, Eddie.”

Eduardo - “If I’ve got them? Ha! You know me better than that. Come on into my office.”

We head into the surveillance room, which is Eddie’s domain. This is where he shines. If you need dirt dug up, Eddie’s your man.

Stephen - “Alright, Eddie. Work your magic. Show me what you’ve got.”

Eddie pulls up surveillance records of the warehouse and highlights several key dates over the last six weeks. He shows me the significance of these dates and Chad’s movements during this time. We work our way through the six weeks, with Eddie filling me in on everything I need to know.

Stephen - “So when was the last day he was seen? Did he leave? Who saw him leave the warehouse that day?”

Eduardo - “No one saw him leave, Stephen. But watch this.”

He pulls up a video on the big screen and zooms in to show Chad moving box after box into a van with no plates. ~Convenient~ I think to myself. I count nine boxes, which would be roughly two hundred thousand dollars’ worth of street value in that one hit alone. ~Sneaky bastard~.

I watch as Chad drives off with the stock after his shift. Eddie switches to a few local street views until the van comes to the docks. Chad waits there for about half an hour before a man walks up. Chad greets him like an old friend and helps him load the boxes onto a boat moored nearby. Once they’re done, we watch as Chad and the other guy push the van off the jetty into the water. Chad then gets on the boat with him.

Stephen - “Any distinguishable features of the boat you’ve been able to track?”

Eduardo - “No, Stephen. All we know is that based on the last sighting and the records we could pull, the direction the boat traveled would indicate they were headed to the UK.”

I rack my brain, trying to figure out why the UK. Had Chad ever mentioned anyone there? Not that I could remember. Or was it a decoy, and they moved again from there? I try to go over everything I know about Chad, and it takes me a while as we go through other footage.

Stephen - “Ireland! Chad had some old school friends who moved there. I remember him mentioning it when we first met in college. He had some really close friends growing up, and their family moved back to Ireland because of commitments there. He always went on about it at first because he lost his childhood friends. He said he never spoke to them anymore. Could it be that he was always in contact with them?”

Philippe - “It’s a good lead, Stephen. It gives us somewhere to start.”

Eduardo - “Thanks, Stephen. Let me do some more digging and see what else I can find. How long are you here for?”

Stephen - “Just another three days, Eddie. My wife and I need to get back to the kids. Clint and Mia are looking after them for us while we’re away.”

Eduardo - “Ah, how’s that little troublemaker of mine?”

Stephen - “Clint’s good, Eddie. He asks about you a lot. Mia and he are married now. They have a son, Willie. Great kid—he takes after his mother, of course.”

We all laugh. Phil pours us all a scotch, and Eddie, Phil, Paolo, and I share a drink and a blunt, catching up for a bit.

Stephen - “Alright, guys. I need to get back to my wife. This pregnancy’s been tough on her, and if I don’t get her to bed soon, I’ll be in for it.”

Eduardo - “And that’s a problem why?”

We all laugh. Eddie hasn’t changed a bit.

Stephen - “Who said it was? Ha! See you tomorrow, guys. I’ll come by earlier, and in the meantime, I’ll talk to Clint and try to remember anything else that might help.”

Eduardo - “It’s good to see you, Stephen. I’m proud of you.”

He gives me a hug and a hearty pat on the back.

Stephen - “Thanks, Eddie. You too. See you tomorrow, Paolo.”

Paolo - “I’ll be here. Bring your wife by—it’d be nice to meet her.”

Stephen - “Hell no! You stay away, Paolo. Ha!”

Eddie and Paolo laugh.

Eduardo - “Don’t be a spoilsport, Stephen. If she loves you, you’ve got nothing to worry about with Paolo here, right?”

Stephen - “Ha! I’ll see you tomorrow, guys.”

Phil and I walk back up to the house, and I try to figure out what Chad’s up to. Phil and I join the girls for a quick drink, and Phil and I share another spliff before Trinity and I head back to the hotel.

My girl glances my way during the drive back. She can tell I’m lost in thought. She knows me too well. She lifts her hand and starts running her fingers through my hair, a gesture she knows calms me.

Trinity - What’s on your mind, baby?

Stephen - Just some stuff the guys were talking about tonight, love. It’s not adding up.

Trinity - Want to share it with me? Maybe it’ll help, baby.

Stephen - I’d like that, mommy. Let’s get back to the hotel, snuggle up in bed, and I’ll tell you everything.

Trinity - Ok, baby.

We return to the hotel. I’ve just finished a quick shower and am getting ready in the bathroom. I brush my teeth swiftly and head out to the bedroom. My wife is standing there, gazing at the view, waiting for me.

Stephen - Baby, you’re driving me crazy.

She turns to look at me.

Trinity - What, baby?

Stephen - You say let’s talk, and you’re standing there looking like that? All I can think about now is how much I want you.

Trinity - Awww, baby, I’m sorry. Want me to change?

Stephen - Hell no! Did I say that? It’s fine, baby. Like I always say, I’m a lucky man. Come on, let’s get to bed.

We climb into bed. My wife lies in front of me, pressing her back into my chest as I wrap my arms around her. We lay there, taking in the city view from our window, while I gently stroke her belly. I feel blessed knowing our third baby is safe inside her.

Trinity - So, what’s bothering you, daddy?

We lay in bed as I take my time explaining everything that Eddie and Phil showed me and what they’ve discovered.

I tell her about remembering that Chad had friends who had moved to Ireland and if he was last seen heading to the UK, that could be the connection. After about an hour, I’ve filled my wife in on everything I know. I watch as she processes it all.

Stephen - What are you thinking, baby?

Trinity - I’m just taking it all in, babe. But I have a thought.

Stephen - Ok, what is it?

Trinity - Remember the night of Mike’s shooting?

Stephen - Of course, baby. How could I forget? The image of him holding a gun to your head is forever etched in my memory. It was the worst moment of my life.

She gently rubs my arm for comfort and snuggles into me more.

Trinity - No, baby, I mean remember how I was telling you that Mike was upset that the operation was ruined?

Stephen - Yes?

I ask, raising an eyebrow in question.

Trinity - We all assumed he meant the undercover operation.

Stephen - Ok? Give me more, my genius little momma. Where are you going with this?

Trinity - You and Clint saw him with the stolen stock, handing it off to Mike, right?

Stephen - Yes, and when we checked the surveillance, we found more evidence of it.

Trinity - So, how do the cops still not have enough evidence to arrest you?

I ponder this for a moment, and then it clicks. I see where my wife is going with this. What she’s thinking. Damn! My wife is incredible. She just put the last piece of the puzzle in place.

Stephen - Baby! You did it! That’s it!

Trinity - You see where I’m going now?

Stephen - I’m with you, baby. If Chad had stolen that much from Phil, then he definitely stole enough from me for them to have enough to charge Clint and me. But what if -

Trinity - Chad and Mike were working together and that stock never made it back to the DEA as evidence.

Stephen - He was a dirty cop! He was working with Chad!