Forever Haunt by Adam Carpenter

Author:Adam Carpenter [Carpenter, Adam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay mystery
Publisher: MLR Press
Published: 2017-08-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Without much coaxing, Jimmy convinced Ranuel to not act until they had time to figure out an effective strategy. With Jimmy taking possession of the flash drive, it hopefully ensured the hunted man wouldn’t act impulsively. Ranuel had done one daring thing in his life—perhaps one stupid thing—leading now to the predicament he was in, so Jimmy wasn’t about to allow him to repeat his foolishness. Stay put was how he put it, his tone indicating negotiation wasn’t an option. The man had little choice. If he went to confront Mr. Wu-Tin on his own his life was over. Maybe that of his innocent son, too, and maybe that of his wife. Jimmy was determined not to see an entire family wiped out.

Before he left, he asked one last question: “Where is Carmen?”

“In hiding. Once I learned they had taken Sonny, I knew I had no choice but to come back and protect the woman who changed my life, who gave me my treasured son. It’s all about saving Sonny now. We want to finally be a family.”

“If I have anything to say about it, you will be.”

They were words filled with bravado, and with belief. Still, Jimmy wasn’t convinced what the right approach was, or whether he was still getting the full story. But he’d already put himself out there, and in the process antagonized the menacing Kenji. He’d been warned away after his meal that night, not to mention being accosted in Chelsea by their hired thugs. All of which meant Jimmy would only insinuate himself closer. Dangerously closer. Men like Mr. Wu-Tin had a shelf life. Evil came with an expiration date. Jimmy had to believe that.

He finally ventured out into the sunshine of this late February day, two cases continuing to pull at his priorities. Which to concentrate on, he thought, standing on the corner of 48th Street and 10th Avenue. Should he venture down to Chinatown to do further snooping, or should he follow up on some aspects of the case of Officer Denson Luke? He felt he owed Dahlia Luke an update, but truth was, he had nothing to tell her right now. All he had were his suspicions about the similar death of a pawn broker who may or may not have been part of whatever was going on. Indecision fueling him, he felt frustrated at his next step, but then the universe came calling.

Actually, it was just his cell phone.

He picked up on the second ring. “McSwain.”

“I’m out, paroled.”

“Ralphie? You should have called me when they were ready to release you.”

“Happened suddenly. Because I insisted on it.”

He bet. “You okay?”

“I am now. Damned doctors, they don’t know anything.”

Jimmy wasn’t sure that was entirely true. “Did they actually sign release papers?”

There was silence on the other end before he heard, “Well, I can be pretty persuasive.”

“I’m on my way. I’ll be the judge of that. If I don’t like what I see…”

“Jimmy, I’m fine. A man like me, he either thrives or he dies.

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