“Shit, maybe it does though, right?”
“Yeah, you’re right. It looks that way.” He scrubs his hand down his tired face. “How’s my brother? We should hang out tonight.”
“Stuffing his face with salmon.” I shake my head and he laughs.
“He’s doing okay there with you guys? He’s happy?”
“Yeah, man. He’s happy.”
“He told me he’s thinking of joining the police academy.” He barks out a laugh. “His big brother is one of the largest gangsters in New York and he wants to be a cop.”
“He hasn’t said that to me, but mind you, our fucking plates have been stacked lately.”
“Yeah, good work on that judge.” He nods as his eyes begin to droop.
“Em tell you about that?”
“One of them.” He waves his hand.
“You should get some rest.” I tell him as I stand up. “You look like shit.”
“Thanks.” He barks out another laugh as I open his office door.
“Vin,” he calls out and I turn to look at him. “Thanks for watching them.” I nod and close his office door.
11
“Says here your mother was a crack addict and no father was present at birth. You showed signs of drug dependence.”
“Is it true?” Adri looks worried.
“Even if it is, you’re fine now.” I shrug, “but again, I don’t know if the situation was doctored to fit the narrative.”
“So, this could all be lies just to steal babies?”
“Right.” I nod at her. “The age looks correct though, you are definitely a year older.” I chuckle.
“Emmett will have a field day with that.” She grumbles and I almost feel sorry for her until I remember she’s the one that fell in love with him.
“Ember, why are you doing all this?” She spreads her arms out wide. “Why not let this town rot and move somewhere else?”
“It’s my legacy.” I look at her. “This place was meant to be mine.”
My phone chimes with an incoming message.
Principal Perv: We are meeting tomorrow
Me: Where?
Principal Perv: Behind the elementary school
Interesting, why would Moore want to meet him there? It’s summer but they always hold summer camp there.
Me: What time?
Principal Perv: 2:30 pm
Huh… just before the summer camp lets out.
Me: Let me know as soon as it’s done. I want details
He doesn’t get back to me but the message says read. He better be of some fucking use to me or I will enjoy carving out his intestines and tying him up with them.
“Is that Vin?” Adri interrupts my thoughts of blood and human entrails.
“No, it’s Principal Perv telling me he’s meeting up with Moore.”
“Ember, I don’t like the thought of someone planning your murder.” Adri’s eyes well up with tears. “None of this is worth it if you are dead.”
“It’ll be worth it for your children, my future nieces and nephews. It’ll be worth it for all those children being abused and unable to get the help they need. Trust me Adri, I will do everything I can to avoid being killed, but our end game is to eradicate the corrupted.”
She shakes her head and lowers her eyes to her feet, “what about my parents?”
“To be honest, I don’t think they are bad people. I think they needed a baby and quickly. Sometimes the adoption process can be lengthy and yes they bent the law but they didn’t hurt anyone. Plus, they are away most of the time so I’m not too fixated on them.”
“What did we find out with those papers?”
“Nothing referring directly to Talia on here, but there is a name of an adoption agency in New York. I’m going to send it to Carm and let him look into it for me.” I tell her. “The boys will be back tomorrow.”
“Yeah,” she smiles. “This house feels weird without Emmett.”
“More grown up.” I lift my brow at her.
“No,” she laughs. “More serious.”
I nod and laugh with her because she’s right. Emmett has a way of walking into a room and making the most miserable human being crack a smile. His energy is contagious and you just want to be on his level to experience life the way he does. In fucking technicolour. That’s what he gives me that none of the others can, my life in prismatic technicolour.
“I’m going to go give Carm a call, I put some menus on the table. Pick whichever you want for dinner.”
“Okay.” Adri nods and gets up to go to the kitchen.
I head to my office and stand in the doorway. I miss you, Dad. Uncle Scott will always be my dad in my eyes. I only wish I had longer with him to experience it. Aunt Debby was a great follow up mom to the one that gave birth to me and I miss her terribly too. There was just so little time and all I can do is hope they are proud of me. Not for murdering and torturing, that’s just fucked, but for finding out what happened to my mother and trying to clean up the town they loved.
I sit at the desk and dial Carm’s number on my cell phone.
“Big Mano services, how can I kill someone today?” He answers and makes me snicker.
“Is this a new official venture?” I ask him.
“Well, with siblings like you two, it should be.” He says with humour in his voice.
“Emmett isn’t behaving, I gather?”
“Surprisingly, he is. Seems your boy Vin keeps him in line.”
“Vin can be intense.” I snort.
“He’s a good man that loves you both.” He sounds almost sad.
“Everything okay over there Carm?” I ask him.
“Yeah Hermanita, things are fine. I’m tired, that’s all. Are you okay?”
“I’m good, I did come across some new information about Jennifer Talia.”
“What?” He suddenly sounds wide awake. “What information?”
“Remember my friend Adri?” When he grunts his affirmation, I continue. “She was adopted with help from Robert. She was born in New York and I spoke to her parents and they knew Talia was the one that set it up.”
“Okay. We already know
