Jack Stratton: Jacks Are Wild Part 29

Jack nodded.

Paolo did, too, as he folded his hands in front of him.

Jack waited.

Shut up and wait for him to talk.

Paolo tilted his head. His weathered face looked even older than it had only a few days ago. "Have you found out anything?"

Jack nodded. "She hasn't used her credit cards or phone."

"Is that all you got?"

"Has anyone contacted you?"

Paolo just stared back at him.

"I'm looking for her, too, Paolo. It's not about Omerta."

Paolo laughed. "I can't stand those movies. I'll give you some free advice. If you don't know about something, you shouldn't talk about it. It makes you look stupid."

"I know you don't talk to cops, but-"

"That's what it means. Omerta. We're men. We handle it ourselves. You're a cop, so I'm not going to you or anyone else."

"I'm not a cop. Not anymore. I'm suspended."

Paolo's bushy eyebrows knit together; he clenched his jaw and appeared bear-like.

I see why Marisa called him Orsacchiotto, but he looks like the kind of bear that rips your head off.

"We got a call. One word. Darrington," Paolo admitted.

Why would...don't think about it now. Get Kiku.

"I need a favor, Paolo."

Paolo raised an eyebrow.

"You have a woman with you, and I need her."

As Paolo took one step forward, Jack was surprised the ground didn't shake when he stomped down.

"Why would you ask for her?" The low challenge echoed in the darkness.

Fat Man and Big Nose got out of the car and repositioned themselves in front of the hood.

"I don't think she-"

"You don't think?" Paolo held up a trembling finger.

"I need her to find Angelica."

"So do I." Paolo looked him up and down. "She's with them. She's Yakuza."

"I know. But she doesn't have anything to do with it."

Paolo walked right up to him. Jack may have been a lot taller, but he felt smaller before the barrel-chested man.

"You don't know jack. Do you know why she's here? Her name is Kiku Inuzuka. She's Takeo's pit-bull." He stuck his finger in Jack's face. "You went to see Takeo. We know."

d.a.m.n.

"You must have alarmed him because he sent his personal pit-bull. When you went to Takeo, you put him on notice. If anything happens to Angelica, he expects you're going to come after him for revenge."

The realization of what he had done hit Jack like diving into ice water. His chest tightened, he tilted his head back, and his eyes narrowed.

Paolo tapped his temple as he leaned forward. "Think. Do you believe Takeo's just going to sit there, waiting to see if you kill him? That's not the kind of man Takeo is. He doesn't wait to see how someone will act; he acts first." Paolo thrust his hand back at the car. "I'm saving your life. She's an a.s.sa.s.sin. She's your killer. She was sent for your head."

Jack could see Kiku's outline in the back of the car. She was slumped forward, sitting in the middle of the seat. He could also make out the shadow of another person next to her.

Paolo turned back to glare at him. "Now get the h.e.l.l out of the way."

Jack cleared his throat. "I need her, Paolo."

The old man froze. Jack knew there would be no more words. No screaming, and no "did you not understand me" speech. What he didn't know was how Paolo would react.

"She can help me find Angelica. But, if you take her now, the war begins."

"It already has. We can bargain with her."

"What would Takeo give for her? If Takeo had Angelica, which I don't think he does, would he really trade her for Kiku?"

Jack looked back toward the entrance of the cemetery. The cruiser rushed toward them with lights flas.h.i.+ng. Paolo turned to stare coldly at Jack.

"I'm on Angelica's side. Paolo..."

The cruiser skidded to a stop behind the sedan. Kendra and Donald opened their doors, weapons drawn, and aimed at Paolo's back. Kendra's shotgun was a welcome sight.

Jack held up a hand.

Donald called out, "You good, Jack?"

Thanks for telling them my name, Donald.

"We're good. We're all good," Jack called out.

He looked at Paolo, and he could almost see the debate rage in the old man's eyes.

"Paolo. I vouch for her."

Paolo spit. "Before you vouch for anyone, I have to trust you first."

Jack's fist tightened at his side.

"Angelica didn't really talk about her family, but I asked her one day when she started to love art. She said when she was little, her uncle took her to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He showed her the works of Michelangelo and Leonardo. He told her she had greatness in her. I know you don't trust me, but Angelica did."

Jack stood with his feet apart. Over the sound of the engines, he could hear his heartbeat.

Donald s.h.i.+fted as Kendra pulled the shotgun tighter into her shoulder. Fat Man glanced at Big Nose and they both looked at Paolo. Paolo just stared. Jack had played his cards, and now he waited to see what would happen.

Paolo spit again. "I hold you responsible. In this whole thing. You and her." He jabbed his finger toward the Impala and Replacement.

Paolo stalked back to the car. Big Nose and Fat Man got back in. Paolo yanked the door open and Kiku stepped out. Paolo turned to glare back at Jack one last time before he got in the car.

Kiku walked with her head down toward Jack. He could tell from her posture she'd taken quite a beating. The sedan slowly began to move and made its way around the Impala.

Jack walked toward the cruiser and whispered to Kiku as he pa.s.sed, "Keep walking and get in the car."

She nodded; Jack stopped as Kendra and Donald came forward. Both of them looked at him and shook their heads.

Jack smiled. "Thanks for the save."

Kendra's cheeks flushed. "You always said this is the way someone would go if they rabbited from the Imperial."

"Jack. What're we supposed to say to Collins?" Donald rubbed the back of his neck.

"Don't say anything. You guys didn't see anything. You got a 911, checked it out, everything was fine."

Kendra nodded toward the car. "She okay?"

Jack held up his hands. "She's fine. You better get going."

They nodded as Jack walked backward to the car.

"Jack?" Kendra called out. "Watch your back."

Can you love?

Jack helped Kiku into the apartment, and Replacement headed quickly for the bathroom medicine cabinet.

"The couch is fine." Kiku's voice was soft.

Jack led her into his bedroom.

"I can't. Thank you, but-"

"I'd save arguing," Replacement called out from the bathroom. "He's stubborn." She opened the medicine cabinet and pulled things out.

"Do you want to take a shower?" Jack offered.

Kiku shook her head as she groaned. As Jack looked at the right side of her face, he winced. Her eye was swollen shut, and a swath of skin from her cheekbone to her jaw was severely bruised.

Replacement put her hand on Jack's arm. "I'll help her."

Jack nodded and then hurried into the living room. He closed the door behind him. When he walked into the kitchen, he grabbed a gla.s.s. He opened the refrigerator and saw the ingredients for the Kamikaze but no vodka.

Where would she put it?

He scanned the apartment until his eyes stopped on the oven he never used.

That's where she hid the girly comforter before.

He opened the stove and smiled. The vodka bottle was there. He made a large Kamikaze, filled up a plastic bag with ice, and then headed back to the bedroom. He knocked and waited.

"Come in," Replacement called out.

He opened the door and walked slowly over to the bed. Kiku lifted herself up on her elbow as she greeted him with a lopsided grin.

"Thank you." She glanced at him for a brief second before she took a huge gulp of the drink.

Replacement frowned.

Jack handed Kiku the ice bag, and she nodded.

"I'll be out in the living room if you need anything." Jack backed out.

"Thank you." Kiku lay back.

Jack hurried back out to the living room and paced the floor. He checked his phones.

Nothing.

Replacement slipped out and quietly closed the door. She looked at Jack and made a face. "She's going to have one heck of a headache."

Jack nodded.

"Do you want to sleep in my room?" she offered.

Jack sat down and kicked off his shoes. "I'm good on the couch."

Replacement scrunched up her face and went into her bedroom. She came back with a pillow and blankets.

"I can tell by looking at you there's no point in arguing. What's our next step?"

"Paolo said they got a call. The caller said, 'Darrington.' That's it. Whoever took Marisa wants the Mancinis here. That means we wait."

"Wait?"