Trudging down stairs to the office he sat in the high-back chair and logged into the computer. If she was at a hotel somewhere, she would have paid for it with her credit card, but when he checked their account, there were no new charges, not even for food. It was odd. The only thing he could think of is that she was billing everything to the room and the card just hadn’t been charged yet. Or maybe she had a credit card he didn’t know about.
Getting another idea, he unlocked his phone and went to the Find My iPhone app. He and Annabel shared the account together. They had the same ID and password. The app quickly searched and found both phones on the account, one was his and the other hers, marking her in Flagstaff. Well that shot down his theory about her not leaving town and now he was back to square one; who the fuck was she with?
Searching his contacts, he found Trevor’s number, moved his thumb to the call button, but then thought better. If she wasn’t with him, Trevor would call her, figure out what was going on and haphazardly let her know he was on to her. She’d also realize he was being shady about it; was going to her friend for answers instead of her. If she had a good excuse it would give her that much more justification to be pissed at him, and that’s not what he wanted. He wanted them to work things out, to go back to the way things used to be. He could of course call her, ask direct, but he didn’t want to do that either, he wanted her to tell him on her own. Who knew if she’d even answer his call? He could text her and ask, but then that’d give her time to think of an excuse, or to come up with another lie. He wanted to trust her, he really did. If it were six months ago he absolutely would have. Would have known there was a great reason she didn’t tell him about being up north with someone else and he wouldn’t have thought about it twice. Now, instead of feeling calm and stable, his stomach churned with worry and he did what any normal person would do, he stalked the fuck out of her and her friends on Facebook, just to see where they were, if they’d posted anything.
He visited Trevor’s page first and his heart raced the instant he saw the post dated the prior night, accompanied by a picture of him in what looked to be a very fancy hotel lobby.
Lovin the new job. (Las Vegas)
Keith’s nerves at an all time high, his hands shook on the keyboard as he typed in Mandy’s name. She had posted a picture that very morning of the kids making a mess at the breakfast table.
His last hope was Sara. Opening up her page his stomach fell with dread. There was a picture of her standing with the keys to her new condo. He forgot this was the weekend she was moving into her new place.
Keith swiveled back and forth in the chair, unsure of what to do. Did he call her? Wait for her to come home and ask her about it then, or should he play the trusting husband card and not bring it up at all? Did it really matter? Yes, it fucking mattered, but he’d never not trusted her before. Never had the images running though his mind as he was at that very moment. She probably had a good excuse, he was just worried for nothing. He clung to that thought as he waited the rest of the day for her to come home. It was after seven before she finally walked through the front door.
“Hi,” she said, setting her purse on the counter.
Keith was sitting at the kitchen table. Could barely look at her. He’d thought all day about what he would say to her and now that the moment arrived, he could hardly form a sentence. If it wasn’t for his wake up call he would have been on his knees apologizing, begging for her forgiveness, but now he didn’t want to apologize. He wanted answers. “Hey,” he finally managed. “Sit down. We should talk.”
Annabel hesitated, her eyes glancing to the front door like she was getting ready to run, but then took a chair a few seats down from him.
“Where’d you go?”
“Flagstaff.”
“What’s in Flagstaff?”
“Nothing. It’s just where I ended up.”
“Where’d you stay?”
“A house from VRBO. It was cheaper than a hotel.”
He was stalling. None of these questions mattered. They were just details he wanted to test her with first to see if she was telling the truth. “Do you have a credit card I don’t know about?”
“What? No.”
“I was worried about you Annabel so I checked our account. There were no new charges. Not even for food. Why is that?”
“I don’t know,” she leaned back defensive, crossing her arms over her chest. “I paid in cash.”
“You had that much cash on you? Why? You didn’t withdraw it from our account recently.”
“No, I didn’t,” her voice raised several octaves, almost a yell. “I had it leftover from my trip to New York. When I decided I needed to get away I swung by the house and grabbed it. Are we finished with the third degree now?”
Her defense seemed plausible. If he didn’t know about the car, it all would have made sense, but how did she get to the house to get the money without her car? Who drove her? It was all he wanted to know from the beginning and it was finally time to ask. “I have one more question. Did you go alone?”
“Jesus Keith. Yes. I told you. I needed time to think.”
“Then how’d you get there?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your car. You left it at the parking garage. Security called and told me. So who drove you? And don’t lie to me. If you had an affair, if you did something stupid, I deserve to know.” For just accusing his wife of sleeping with someone else, his voice was rather calm.
Annabel looked the complete opposite. Her cheeks paled in color and her voice shook as she spoke. “I went with Trevor. He paid for the room. That’s why you didn’t see the charge. I was just scared to tell you. I didn’t want you to freak out again.”
This was his opportunity. His time to jump in and say, you lying bitch, or something to that effect, but then he’d never know the whole truth. She’d think of different lies, or maybe not, maybe she’d finally tell him, but he’d never know the extent. How big this really was. She’d been acting strange for months now. She was hiding something, someone, and he was going to find out who it was.
Keith had to do everything he could to hold his shit together and pretend like he believed her. He apologized for accusing her of sleeping with someone else, told her he loved her and then kissed her traitorous lips like it still meant something.
Annabel excused herself to take a shower and Keith told her he had an errand to run. She believed him, and why wouldn’t she? He was telling the truth. He did have an errand to run. An errand that involved telling his private investigator best friend that his wife is a lying piece of shit and to look into her like he’s offered in the past. As sad as it was to admit, it was time.
Twenty-One
The private plane shook as it flew through the air, the turbulence so great Trevor had to hang on to his drink in the hopes it wouldn’t spill all over his newly purchased suit. No one tells you this part about flying private. They make it seem glamorous, and in reality it is, but little planes are not immune to the effects of the sky; just the opposite it would seem.
The waitress came by, asked if he needed anything and he shook his head no, his left palm still gripping the arm rest for dear life. He was nervous enough, he didn’t need to add possibly dying to his list of problems.
When Braxton asked him to do this he didn’t think twice. Over the past month the man had earned Trevor’s loyalty and even a bit of his respect. He was conniving and manipulative, Trevor saw it first hand, hell maybe that’s why his feelings for him now radiated so positive, but there were good qualities to him too. He wasn’t as heartless as you’d think a mob boss would be. Nothing how they make them out to be in the movies, or maybe Trevor just didn’t know that side of him. What he did know is that Braxton was an honest man, he told you how it was, with no bullshit attached. He also took care of the people he valued, proving that to Trevor numerous times, usually in the form of money, but occasionally in the form of support. Trevor was a gay man living in a dominantly Repub
lican city, some people still were not too accepting of his ways and one time, when a man voiced his opinion, Braxton put him in his place. Used a baseball bat from the trunk of his car to do so, but still, it was something Trevor appreciated.
The plane finally evened out and Trevor relaxed his grip, then out of panic, pushed up his arm sleeve to make sure the tattoos were still in place. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw the ink, black and crisp, the same as when he’d left. Deep down Trevor knew he couldn’t rub off the marks, he drew them on himself, using a permanent pen that was sure to stain his skin for days, but his paranoia was at an all time high. His life could be dependent on those marks if he ever needed to flash them. So much was riding on this deception running smooth. Luckily, Braxton seemed to have thought of everything and grilled Trevor for the past week on each minute detail. He now knew most of what there was to know about the Emmo; the history, the hierarchy, what they did on a day to day basis, what the plan was for the future.
Braxton told Benny he himself would be arriving on the jet that night, told him to stay away in case word got out, and asked him to send four men who had never before met Ax in the flesh. Men who could be trusted, but were expendable. When Trevor asked why he was sending him in his place, he told him two reasons, the first being it was too risky. He didn’t trust Kari Cruz. She was screwing around with the warden from Attica and gave him up with barely a fight. Braxton wasn’t naïve to think she wouldn’t give him up as well, if a better offer came about, likely one from the police or the FBI. Hell she might have called them as soon as they let her go and it was something Braxton couldn’t chance. If Trevor was the one arrested instead, it would only take them a night to figure out they had the wrong guy. If Braxton was arrested, all hell would break lose. His identity would no longer be a secret. In addition to the worry of being arrested, Braxton wanted Trevor there to be his eyes and ears. It had been too long since Ax was in town, his leadership on the fritz. He needed to be there, needed to show his men he was still in charge, but didn’t have the time to do it himself. He told Trevor he was the only one he trusted for the job, even gave him the choice to say no, but being the good friend he was, he accepted without hesitation. Braxton had done so much for Trevor; he could do this for him.
Trevor’s flight departed Vegas while the sun was low in the sky, barely visible. It was all part of the plan. Braxton didn’t want the flight to be traced back to Arizona. He even bought Trevor a condo in Vegas and had him post on Facebook as if he were currently living there, like he moved there for a job. The flight was scheduled to land in less than thirty minutes and Trevor began psyching himself up for what was about to come. You can do this, you can do this, he whispered over and over.
When the plane finally touched down he felt somewhat better and even more so when he inserted the small metal ear peace and could hear Braxton on the other end.
“You ready for this?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Good. I’ll be right here with you.”
Trevor exited the plane to find a black SUV parked nearby and four men standing at attention like they were in the military about to greet a General. They looked more nervous than he was, which was good, he liked that. One of the men held open a door for him and he slid in, feigning control and authority. Those acting classes he took in college were beginning to pay off. The men without question believed he was Ax, not like they had anything else to believe. The driver Trevor recognized as Greg, the chauffeur who drove them around when he was in town on vacation. He was the only one who knew the truth and he greeted Trevor with a look and a slight head nod through the rearview mirror before driving off to an undisclosed destination.
Some time later they arrived at an abandoned warehouse where three additional SUVs were parked. A few men loitered out front, smoking cigarettes while loading crates into the back of a large semi truck. “What’s in the crates?” he asked to no one in particular and probably should have kept his mouth shut. Ax would have known what was in them.
“Guns. Ammo,” replied the man to his left. “We have a buyer in Canada dropping a pretty penny for them.”
“Canada? How do you plan to get them over the border?”
“Same way as always. Ship them to international waters and do the deal out there. Once they take ownership getting them back is their problem.”
“Stop asking questions,” Trevor heard in his ear. “We know this already. I approved the sale.”
Trevor tried to save face. “Good. You know your shit. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t dealing with a bunch of fucking newbies.”
“Ask him his name,” Braxton told him and Trevor complied.
“Nick Mathews. I’ve been with the Emmo for eight years.”
“Tell him you remember him. Compliment him on his job with Jay Street. He runs that area.”
Again Trevor did as Braxton asked.
“Thanks. I didn’t realize you knew who I was.”
“I’ve never met you before, but I recognize your name. I always remember the people who do good work. Same goes for shitty work so be glad I don’t have you associated with that category.”
Mathews held open the door for Trevor and led him to a back room. Braxton was in his ear the entire time, letting him know what to expect even though they already went over it several times. More men filled the building, all with pistols holstered at their sides, and Trevor was suddenly grateful Braxton packed him with a gun of his own. He wasn’t a great shot, but it was better than nothing. In theory he shouldn’t need to defend himself against these men, but it made him feel better none the less. He didn’t realize there would be so many of them. Did they all not know what Ax looked like? He took a gamble speaking out, but needed to let Braxton know the details were deviated from the plan. “Why the fuck are there so many men here? I’ve counted twenty so far.”
“They don’t know who you are sir,” Mathews replied. “The Canadians pushed the order delivery to tomorrow. It was either move the meeting to an unsecured facility or increase our man count tonight. This is my territory. I made the call. The men think you are a new recruit, eager to watch and learn the ways. They won’t give you a second look.”
Braxton was appeased by the explanation and told Trevor to continue moving forward.
Mathews unlocked the door and motioned Trevor in. “I’ll stand guard. It’s just you and her in there.”
Ax wasn’t the kind of man who said thanks and Trevor had to hold his tongue while closing the door.
Kari Cruz was pacing the room and came to an abrupt halt when she saw him. Her arms jumped to cross over her chest and Trevor could see a slight shake to her knee. She knew who he was, or who he was pretending to be, and while she tried to hide her fear, it still came across loud and clear.
“You know, if you want to meet with me you can just call. There’s no need for you to keep abducting me.”
“I’ll decide how we get in touch Ms. Cruz. For now, I don’t trust you enough to do it any other way. Have a seat.” Trevor motioned toward one of the two chairs in the room; short, black and folding.
Kari did as requested, and he took the seat across from her, sitting on it backwards and leaned forward against the backrest.
“Relax Kari, as long as you play by my rules no harm will come to you. I need you just as much as you need me.”
She exhaled a deep breath, feeling comforted by his promise, but still apprehensive to move forward with the meeting. He let her sit in her chair, quiet and sizing him up for much longer than he should have. Trevor knew he needed to step in and order her to speak, but he couldn’t bring himself to. She still looked terrified.
“Take out your gun, aim it at her head, and tell her you don’t have all fucking night.”
It was the first time Trevor disobeyed one of Braxton’s orders. He told her he didn’t have all night, but left the gun tucked in his waistband.
“Okay.” She was still timid. “How do you want to do this? Can I just start ask
ing you questions?”
“You’re the reporter. Do what you normally would.”
“Do you have anything for me to take notes with?”
“The room’s bugged. I’ll send you the audio.” Little did she know, the bug was him. Braxton was using his earpiece to record every little thing.
“Alright,” she thought for a second and then snapped into her role as reporter. “For the record, can you confirm your identity?”
“I can’t tell you my real name, but I go by Ax, and as of a month ago, I am now the leader of the Em Oh Three.”
“Is the Emmo responsible for the death of Colton King?”
“No. We had no hand in the matter.”
“Do you have any leads on who did?”
“We suspect it was ordered by the Baller Grims. Over the years we have had our fair share of rivalry and recently a conflict of interest over a specific trade. Let’s just say, it didn’t end well. For them. They lost a leader and wanted to take one from us. Our suspicions have been confirmed by three separate sources.” This was all a lie. Braxton told him as much, but he needed a group to pin the murder on, and this one was their best option.
“Do you plan on retaliating?”
“Of course we do. If this were an isolated incident we’d consider doing it by the book, blood for blood, but Cole’s death was the tip of the iceberg. The Baller Grims have been setting us up to take the fall for much more than we’re responsible for. I’m not claiming to be a good guy, as I’m not, but half the shit I’ve been accused of ordering was not done by my men at all, just made to look like it was.”
“Like what? Can you be more specific?”
Trevor knew the specifics, but Braxton in his ear told him not to divulge. “I’m sure you have friends in the legal department. Ask around. Do your homework. You’re the reporter.”
Caged Page 49
