“Melanie Riggs.” They shook.
Page looked at Wynn. “How you doing, Fahey? Long time no see.”
“Doing well, Gene. Thanks. So how do you like UC as compared to Property Crimes?”
“One hundred and twenty-five percent more interesting, I can tell you that. Last year I was chasing down thieves stealing formula from Baby Warehouse Stores. This is real cop work, out here. Gets your blood pumping.”
Wynn smiled. The guy was obviously single. Any cop with a family would probably choose safe and boring over blood-pumping excitement. Page was cute enough, with his shaggy dark hair. At one time he would have said the guy was just his type. Now his ‘type’ meant the carrot top, bearded, scholarly guy who had stolen his heart. “So, what’s the plan today?”
Page began, “Brandy befriended Jesse Morgan at the end of last week. The kid was cautious and not too receptive, until she started getting a little friendly with him.”
“He’s a kid!” Mel protested.
Page nodded. “Nothing serious, just giving him ideas. A flash of cleavage here and there, and a promise of more to come if she gets what she’s after. He’s bending over backward to get her together with his brother, now.”
“He’s still a kid,” Mel repeated.
Wynn wasn’t as sympathetic. “Remember, he’s a couple years older than the others in his class. Fifteen going on sixteen. And keep in mind, he laced Ben’s pizza with the drugs that killed him. Jake may have provided them, but Jesse knew what he was doing.”
Page pointed to two of his screens. “We’ve got two camera angles on the meet sight, over here at the south corner of the running track. Brandy is wearing a wire. We’ve got cops in the track and field locker rooms, back here, and here.” He showed them the locations. “Plus three black and whites two minutes out, and the two cars ahead of us both contain our people. As soon as the deal is complete, Brandy will say, ‘I got what I wanted. Now, what do you want?’ When we hear that, I’ll give the signal and we’ll light them up with flashers and sirens.”
Wynn gazed at Page. “Do these things ever go off that easily?”
“About half the time. We’re hopeful. The captain’s pretty sure these Morgan kids will spill their guts once we offer them a deal. Their old man is sharp, but he doesn’t want to drag his kids and his name through this mess.”
“So a successful outcome would be?”
“Putting the Morgans out of business and getting the names of their contacts, one level up. Cracking more than one tier at a time is damned near impossible and often takes years, so we’d consider this mission a success if we could at least manage that.”
“Understood.” Wynn glanced at the screen.
“Here comes Brandy.” Page spoke into a mic on his shirt collar. “Be alert. Brandy is in place.”
“There are the Morgans.” Wynn spotted the brothers approaching the UC cop. He’d only seen a photo of Jake, but Jesse was unmistakable.
“The marks are in place,” Page announced. “I repeat, in place.” He turned up the sound on the surveillance monitor.
“Hi, Jesse,” Brandy smiled at the boys. “Is this your brother?”
“Yeah,” the younger of the boys replied. “Jake, this is Brandy.”
Jake glanced around warily. “What do you want, bitch?”
She pouted and stuck out her chest. “That’s not very nice. Jesse said you were a good guy, but I’m not so sure.”
Jesse took a step closer to her. “He is, he’s just nervous, is all. With all the shit that happened last week, everyone’s being extra careful.”
She shrugged. “Yeah, I know it. My regular guy is lying low until some of the heat is off. But I’ve got finals next week, and need something to get me through.”
Jake studied her. “Jesse said you asked for some Flakka. Why the fuck would you want it after that stupid kid last week stepped off?”
Brandy gazed at him levelly. “Maybe I have a couple more people I’d like to help step off. The price is totally right. And they’ll never trace it back to me.”
“Or me,” Jake said menacingly.
“Of course.” She shrugged.
He checked her out once more, then said, “I brought what you asked for. Weed, uppers and Flakka. Eighty bucks.”
She nodded and pulled a wad of crumpled bills from her pocket and started counting. “Twenty, forty, fifty, fifty-five, sixty, sixty-one, sixty-two—”
“Give it!” Jake grabbed the cash and fingered it quickly, much faster than she had. “Fine.” He pulled a baggie from his leather jacket and shoved it in her hand.
She started to examine it there but he shoved her arm down. “Not here, stupid bitch. Check your shit out later.”
“Okay.” She tucked the bag into her jeans pocket. “I got what I wanted. Now, what—”
Jake grabbed the front of her T-shirt and dragged her face to his. “Listen up, bitch. I don’t give a shit what you wanted. This isn’t how I normally do business and I won’t do it again. One time, for my kid brother, because he thinks you’re going to suck his dick now. Suck it, don’t suck it, I don’t fucking care. But hear this.” He gripped her roughly.
Page bristled at the contact.
Wynn glanced at Mel, wondering how often their scripts went off track like this.
She gazed back helplessly.
Jake continued, “There’s a kid in my brother’s class name of Fahey. Connor Fahey. His old man’s a Vice cop. The kid was butt buddies with the moron who died. The man who supplies me with my stuff has his name and description. My brother and I are walking away from here right now. If anyone tries to stop us, Fahey is one dead fairy.”
Wynn froze. He reached for his cell and dialed Syd’s number.
Jake wasn’t finished. “If anyone mentions our transaction here today, the kid is headed for the compost heap. Today, tomorrow or next week… Anyone comes after us, Connor Fahey goes to cold storage. You got that?”
She blinked innocently. “What the fuck are you talking about? I don’t know that kid. I don’t go to St. Seb’s. My cousin hooked me up with your brother after that party.”
“Tell your cousin, this store is closed. The next person that I don’t know who approaches me to buy something is going down, no questions asked. Now take my brother and go do your thing, you stupid little slut.” He shoved her back and she stumbled.
Brandy was thrown off-kilter, and struggled to get back on track. “Yeah, okay. I got what I wanted. Now, what do you want?”
Page shouted into his mic. “Abort! Abort! No one advances on the target. I repeat,
no one advances on the target.
”
Mel had grabbed Wynn’s arm and they both held their breath. No sirens. No lights. Jake Morgan turned and hurried away.
Sydney answered her cell phone. “Wynn? What’s up?”
“Syd, do you have Con?”
“No. I’m sitting out front of the school but he hasn’t come out yet. He’s late. I was just texting him.”
“Fuck!” Wynn ended the call. He wanted to storm out of the van, but knew he couldn’t risk it.
Brandy and Jesse still stood on the sidewalk. “Shall we go somewhere?” he asked excitedly.
“Fuck off, kid.” She shoved him angrily and stomped away.
“Bitch!” he yelled back, and ran in the other direction.
Wynn looked at Page. “Connor hasn’t met his mom after school yet.”
Page spoke into his mic. “Brady, Detective Fahey is coming to your car. Casually but quickly, get him to the school please.”
“Ten-four,” came the reply.
Page motioned to the cars in front of the van. “Calmly get into the black SUV and let my guy drop you off at the school doors.”
Wynn pulled his keys from his pocket and handed them to Mel. He glanced at Page one last time. “This operation is over, isn’t it? They won’t make a move with my kid in the crosshairs?”
“Negative. We have Jake and Jesse Morgan on our radar now, and they won’t get away with this. But it’s too risky to complete the sting now. We’d never put a civilian in harm’s way, especially the kid of one of our own. This operation will keep until the timing is better.”
Wynn sighed. “Thank you.” He struggled to collect himself and glanced at Mel. They exchanged a look.
“Go.” She touched his arm.
He slipped out of the van and headed to the SUV. Opening the door, he climbed into the back seat and the driver took off.
“Walk into the school building,” the other cop reminded him. “Once you get in there, you can bolt. But don’t act rushed until you get inside. We don’t know who’s watching.”
“I’ve got it. Thank you.”
They dropped him at the front door. The parking lot was clearing and he spotted Syd’s car.
She rolled down her window and stuck her head out. “Wynn? What’s going on?”
“Stay put,” he demanded, and strolled into the building.
When the doors had closed, adrenaline kicked in and he raced for Connor’s classroom.
No sign of Connor, the place was deserted. Wynn looked in room after room, hoping to find Reilly or another teacher. When he didn’t see anyone, he dialed Reilly’s cell number and walked as it rang. The call went to voicemail.
The call to Con’s cell also went to mail.
Wynn’s heart thudded like a freight train. He walked by a group of kids in the auditorium and ended up at the entrance to the library. Since he was there, he stuck his head in, and nearly wept when he spotted Con and Reilly, sitting at a table, talking.
He’s okay
.
Wynn tried to compose himself as he approached so his voice didn’t crack.
He’s with Reilly, and he’s fine.
“Hey, you two. Doesn’t anyone answer a cell phone anymore?”
“Dad!” Connor glanced up. “What are you doing here? I thought it was Mom’s day.”
“It is. She’s a little worried because you haven’t answered her texts. She’s out front.”
He glanced at the clock. “Oh, shit! I’m late.”
Reilly stood up. “I’m so sorry, Wynn. We started talking and lost track of time. Con had some trouble today, and we’ve been brainstorming ways to handle bullies. I guess neither of us turned our phones on yet, since school just got out.”
Wynn pulled Connor into his arms. “It’s okay. Everything’s okay.” He closed his eyes and squeezed them tightly to hold back the tears that threatened.
Reilly touched his arm. “Something’s not okay. What’s happened?”
“We had a bit of a problem at work, but I’m happy to say everything is fine now.”
The handsome teacher searched Wynn’s face. “Are you sure?”
Wynn drew Reilly in with his other arm. “I’m positive.” He kissed his lover on the lips then said, “Con, I should have told you this before, but Mr. O’Keefe is the man I’ve been seeing. I’m sorry I kept it from you, but there’s been so much going on.”
His son glanced up from the group hug and smiled. “Duh, Dad.”
He blinked. “You know?”
Reilly grinned. “We talked about it. He asked, and I had to tell him the truth. I promised Connor I’d never lie to him. Same goes for you, big guy.”
Wynn sighed. “Today I realized that tomorrow is not promised, so I need to tell the people I care about how I feel.” He pressed a kiss to the top of Connor’s head. “I love you, son.” He looked into Reilly’s eyes and smiled. “I love you, too. I know it’s fast, but I’ve spent too many years denying what I really wanted. I won’t do that anymore. I want you, and I want the world to know it.”
“I want you, too. I love you, Wynn. I can’t wait for the two of you to move in, and we can figure out how to be a family together.”
“We’re moving in?” Con asked, squeezed between the two men. “Will Gus be there, too?”
“Absolutely. Gus, too.” Wynn kissed Reilly again, this time more passionately.
Someone cleared their throat from the doorway, and Wynn ended the kiss. He glanced over and saw Mel and Syd watching them.
“Everything okay?” Mel asked.
“Better than okay.” Wynn wrapped an arm around each of his fellows. “Let’s get your stuff, Con. You won’t be coming back to this school. I’m sure after I’ve talked with Principal Andrews and Mr. O’Keefe, they’ll work out a way for you to take your final tests at home. Then we’ll need some recommendations of new private schools for next year.”
“I can look into that.” Reilly continued to search Wynn’s face.
When Syd reached for Connor and drew him into a hug, Wynn took the opportunity to whisper in Reilly’s ear. “Con’s life was threatened in a drug sting. He can’t stay here.”
His lover gaped, then nodded firmly. “I’ll take care of it. We’ll have some prospects by the end of the week.”
Sydney hugged Connor and looked from Wynn to Reilly. “Thank you.”
Wynn ruffled Con’s hair and smiled. “My pleasure.”
Epilogue
Wynn knocked on the door to the big house and waited.
Sydney answered. “Hello.” She turned and called, “Con! Your dad is here!” Stepping back she motioned, “Come on in.”
He took Reilly’s arm and they entered the foyer together.
Syd went to the bottom of the spiral staircase and yelled again, “Con!”
“Still packing! Five more minutes,” came the reply from upstairs.
She turned to Wynn and shrugged. “Kids. He’s had all day to pack, but probably started about ten minutes ago.”
“Not a problem.” Wynn glanced over as Derrick entered from the other room. “Derrick. You know Reilly O’Keefe.”
A drink in his hand, Derrick swished it around as he replied, “Apparently not as well as we
thought
we did.”
Syd ignored him. “Mr. O’Keefe, thank you for the school recommendations. St. John’s looks like it’s going to be a good fit. It’s closer to us, too. Unfortunately, it’s a longer drive for Wynn.”
“We’ll manage,” Wynn said. “Con seems excited about it. I believe the fresh start will do him good.”
Reilly added, “Everyone thinks he left because of the bullying, and what happened to Ben.”
Wynn nodded. “The undercover Task Force believes the pressure is off him. I’m just glad that we could yank him out so fast, and he was still able to complete the term. Now that it’s summer, everyone has a chance to cool off.”
“And he’ll be far away from those awful people.” Sydney rubbed her arms and shivered.
“Indeed. It’s not public knowledge but you can rest assured that the department hasn’t forgotten about the Morgan boys. They’ve just decided to take their time and set up a proper sting, which will include federal officials.” He smiled. “The feds don’t give two shits about small fries like the Morgans, but my department does. Eventually we’re going to nail those little bastards, and they’ll pay for what they did to Ben, Sam and Con…and all the other kids they terrorized.”