“Yeah, what happened to them? I can barely remember the whole thing.”
“They’re dead.”
Marcus rested his head on the pillow and closed his eyes. “The Vigilante saved my life.”
“I guess he did,” Adrian nodded.
“I don’t understand. I mean, I thought he was a criminal. And I’m a cop, his natural enemy. He had me right in front of him, and he just killed someone else.”
“Maybe he’s not who you think he is. Don’t get me wrong, he is a criminal, but his targets are not cops, nor innocent citizens. His targets are those criminals we haven’t been able to catch because people are too frightened to speak up.”
“So, he’s getting rid of them one-by-one to do us a favor?”
“You could say that.”
“You know I hate saying this, but the day Julius figures out who the Vigilante is will come, and I’m afraid neither of us will be able to stop him.”
Adrian grinned and reclined in his chair. “So let me get this straight. The Vigilante is no longer your enemy? You won’t be chasing him around town ready to put him behind bars?”
Marcus rolled his eyes and shook his head. “ Even if I don’t want to put him behind bars, we have to find him before Julius does, for his protection.” Adrian nodded slowly, knowing well that Marcus was right. “Unless you know where he is?”
Adrian raised his head and frowned.
“No, of course not. Why would I?” he said.
“I don’t know. Just a feeling.”
“Yeah, well, push those feelings aside and focus on getting better.”
“Hey! I didn’t know you were so worried about me,” Marcus joked.
Adrian shook his head. “Nah. If you die, there’s just too much paperwork to fill out, and I hate being chained to a desk like that.” He stood and extended his hand, which Marcus weakly shook as they shared their first laugh as partners.
Adrian had almost reached his car in the hospital parking lot when his phone rang. As he looked at the screen, he groaned: Julius.
“What happened now?” Adrian answered the call.
“Little bro, I’m glad you picked up. We have so much to discuss.”
“I already said everything I needed to,” Adrian said, reaching into his pocket for his car key. His fingers closed around the fob as a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.
“I sent someone to pick you up. I figured we could have a brotherly chat at home.”
Adrian turned slowly; a bit of fear washed over his body when he saw Dorian standing there.
“Let’s go. You drive,” Dorian ordered, pushing Adrian toward his car.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Adrian stopped the car in front of Julius’s house and refused to get out. After a tense moment, Dorian grabbed his arm, forcing him out of the vehicle, and pushed him up the stairs into the house.
The light inside Julius’s house was dim, and the room was quiet. Adrian immediately searched for Riley, but he could barely see five feet in front of him.
“Your friend isn’t here,” Julius announced as he walked into the room with a glass of whiskey.
Dorian pushed Adrian farther into the room and Julius ordered him to sit.
Julius might be an alcoholic and a drug addict, but his behavior indicated to Adrian that he must know something about Riley or her plans. Panic began to rise in Adrian’s chest, though he tried to hide it. “Did you call me here to talk about Riley?”
“No, of course not. Like I said on the phone, I wanted to apologize for how brutal I was with you the last time we spoke. I have to admit, I got a bit carried away, and I apologize for my behavior.”
“All right. Apology accepted. You didn’t have to drag me here to tell me this. You could’ve just apologized over the phone,” Adrian said.
“Yes, I could’ve, but there is something I wanted to talk to you about. Something that I just can’t figure out, but maybe you can, my bro. But first, a drink! Dorian, bring one for Adrian.”
“I don’t–”
Julius raised his hand and Adrian fell silent. As Dorian returned with a drink in his hand, Adrian was scared he might have put poison in it.
“How’s your partner doing?” Julius asked him, sipping his whiskey.
“He’s doing okay. A little bruised after your men kicked the shit outta him, of course.”
“Any ideas why he’s alive and my men aren’t? They were all right there together, after all. Any ideas why that is?”
“Sorry, but no, I haven’t had the time to come up with a theory,” Adrian replied ironically.
“I have,” Julius replied, pacing as Dorian squeezed Adrian’s shoulders, reminding him of the danger he posed should Adrian try to escape. “I believe your partner and the Vigilante are buddies, working together to destroy me.”
Adrian rolled his eyes. “You’re fucking crazy. Your men are dead because they can’t put up a fight.”
Julius pushed his drink aside and stepped closer to Adrian, searching his face. “My men are dead because the Vigilante killed them, and your friend did nothing to stop him. Don’t tell me you have no idea what’s going on. I know you’re fucking lying to me! I can read it in your stupid face! You’re sweating, you’re nervous. Tell me the truth, Adrian!”
“Go fuck yourself,” Adrian replied, receiving a slap from Julius in return.
“You came to my house. I fed you. I gave you shelter when you were falling apart, and this is how you repay me? By turning your back on me?” Julius stepped away and resumed pacing, rubbing his temples as he did. “I didn’t want to get to this point, Adrian. I didn’t want to see the traitor was right in front of me! This whole time–”
“Julius, you’re losing your mind.” Adrian’s words became a whisper.
“That’s what you’ve been telling me all along. Almost convincing me that I was, but I think it’s all a game to you. I think I know what’s going on. Tell me who the Vigilante
