“Yes. I’d appreciate you being there.” She smiled, and Malco felt stronger again, ready to go into this battle and win.
Chapter Eight
Frida followed Malco into the conference room, where the mother of the missing boy stood before a man who looked as grim and preoccupied as she felt. It was clear life hadn’t been kind to the mother. She seemed determined, but the worry was etched deep. Her dark ebony skin had lost its light, as had her mahogany eyes.
The person by her side was a mountain of a man and younger than she imagined for someone in charge of a youth center. Ebony black skin, a large, muscled body, and by the way he stood and moved, Frida could guess he had some kind of military background.
Malco only nodded at Ward and came around the table to offer his hand to Tycen’s mother. “Mrs. Neal.”
The woman gripped his hand and held tight. “Malco, I’m beside myself. I don’t know what to think or do. Everything was going so great, and I thought we’d turned a corner. And now this.”
Frida stood back silently as her heart ached for the mother. She knew firsthand how a gang could impact the lives of not only the member but also their family.
“Please sit down, Mrs. Neal. Would you like water or coffee?”
The woman shook her head but let herself fall into the chair. Malco didn’t let go of her hand as he sat facing her. It was fascinating for Frida to see Malco in this situation. For the first time, what he was feeling, his emotions were clear on his face. He was so open when he spoke to this woman; she was in awe of it.
“Mrs. Neal, this is Frida Montalvo, she’s a lawyer and is working with us on a case regarding the gangs in the city.”
The woman offered her a small smile. “I wish there were a way to stop this scum. Because of them, my son may be dead.” Her voice wobbled on the last word.
Ward, who had stayed silent so far, put a hand on her shoulder. “We don’t know that yet. We can’t be sure if it’s his blood on the jacket.”
Now tears filled her dark eyes. “And if it’s not his, whose is it? Has my son killed someone?”
Malco pulled her attention back to himself. “Easy. We don’t know anything yet. Have the police told you anything?”
Desperation immediately turned to anger. “Told me what? How incompetent they are? They said they’d investigate, but I don’t believe them. We’re not important to them. They didn’t believe me when I told them Tycen had turned his life around, that he wasn’t in a gang anymore. One even laughed and told me I was delusional.”
“Kasten.” Ward almost spit the name. In Frida’s opinion, Mrs. Neal was right to think that the police would do nothing to save her son, not under Kasten’s watch. “He said we were wasting money with our program and everyone would be better served by giving it to the people who protect the city.”
“They’re convinced Tycen is guilty and has returned to the gang. They said they would help, but I know they won’t do anything. Malco, you’re my only hope to bring Tycen home.”
He brought the older woman’s hand to his mouth and kissed it, clearly worried. But Frida could feel the determination emanating from him.
“I’ll find your answers. In the meantime, call me if you hear anything, or if you feel threatened in any way. You or your family. Do you understand?”
Mrs. Neal smiled. “I will.”
Ward stood with Mrs. Neal and escorted her to the door. “May I have a minute?”
Mrs. Neal nodded, and Ward closed the door before turning to them.
“I didn’t want to tell her about this, but Tycen isn’t the only one of our boys who has gone missing in the last couple of days. Georgie and Miles too. I reported their disappearances but got the same answer from the police.”
Frida frowned, juggling her thoughts. “Why is there a sudden resurgence of activity? And why are boys who’d left the gang life being pulled back?”
Malco rubbed the back of his neck. “It must be in preparation for something big. A war over territory or a big cargo of drugs coming in.”
Ward seemed to ponder the possibilities before he shrugged. “I’ll see if I can get some of the other boys to talk. Others must have been approached, and if that’s the case, it’s only a question of time before they disappear too. I’ll see what I get and keep you posted. Another thing about Kasten. I don’t know what’s happening at the precinct, but he has fingers in everything gang-related, even if he’s not the lead on it. I know a guy there, and it has intensified over the last few months to the point where a few people have made complaints.”
“Nothing happened?” Frida almost wanted to make a statement.
“Oh, things happened. Everyone pressing too much was reassigned to other task forces or stonewalled.”
Malco whistled. “The brass is listening to Kasten, and that’s not a good thing.”
“Or the brass is in it with Kasten.”
Both men turned to her, and Frida saw the realization on their faces.
Ward sighed. “If that’s the case, we’re doomed. How can we protect our kids if the police are teaming up with the criminals?”
“By going higher. There’s clearly something or someone tainting the force, and the only way to get rid of it is to bring it to light. Shake the hornets’ nest until we get rid of them completely. However, that won’t be easy. Many won’t talk, and we’ll need titanium evidence to bring them down.”
Ward angled his head and crossed his muscled arms.
