Brooklyn Sinners 3 -A Sinner Born (17 page)

Syren sat next to Patel in an office in a federal detention center located in a nondescript building in downtown LA, blinds drawn.
“What’s the next move?” he asked.
Patel sat back with a sigh. “Well, we’ve got everything lined up, everything documented thanks to you. What we don’t have, or who, is Daniel Nieto.”
Syren frowned. “Didn’t you pick him up along with his brother?” He’d given Patel and his people evidence that the Nietos would be in the US for some bogus business meeting. Patel’s job was to grab them as soon as they landed. They already had more than enough to hold them.
“Only one brother was on that flight.” Patel pinched the bridge of his nose. “How these bastards can be so slippery…” He squinted at Syren as if he should have the answer.
“It’s a gift?” Syren shrugged.
“DEA made a huge bust out on the East Coast,” Patel said. “Some of the Nietos’ men were caught up in it. They expected to get the brothers, but we let them know we had it covered on our end.”
“So what?” Syren wasn’t getting the gist. “You have even more Nieto players in custody along with one of the brothers. What’s your next move?”
“We use what we have on who we have. Either way, the Nietos are done as is your boy Delatorre.”
“My boy. Uh-huh.” Syren mentally rolled his eyes. “Any word on when my lawyer will be here?” Peter Heppner was the lawyer on retainer for Delatorre, a lawyer Syren had brought in for the express purpose of dealing with the situation they now faced.
Peter had his own reasons for accepting Syren’s deal, but they both agreed on one thing—Ricardo Delatorre needed to be taken down.
“Heppner is in with Delatorre now.” Patel stood and gestured. “Word is you’ve gotten bail so, you know, make yourself scarce.”
Like hell he would. “I want to see Delatorre.”
Patel stopped with his hand on the doorknob and regarded Syren over his shoulder. “You’re not about to out yourself are you? Because that would be premature.”
“Really?” Syren snorted. “I know what I’m doing, Patel. Been doing it for longer than you so no, I’m not about to burst in there and start letting him know who I am.”
“Then why do you need to see him?”
Could he be that dense? “I’m his right-hand man, Patel. Think.” Syren tapped a finger to his temple. “I have to make sure he knows I’m doing my best to get him out of here, that I’m working on things with Peter. I can’t simply disappear, that would be the quickest way for him to start asking questions.”
Patel relaxed a bit, if the man ever did. “Fine, I get it. What about his kid, though? You think he’ll make trouble, maybe want to step in and take his father’s place?”
Syren grimaced at the thought. Thiago was a good kid, all things considered and he didn’t want to see him go down that road. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t.” Hopefully he had enough influence over Thiago to make him see the most prudent thing would be to put the Delatorre name and all it entailed out of business.
Patel seemed to understand without him saying more. He led Syren out the office and down a maze of narrow hallways painted puke-green before stopping in front of a locked orange door.
“He’s in there with the lawyer.”
Syren nodded his thanks then opened the door and stepped in. He shut it behind him and met Peter’s gaze before turning to Delatorre.
“Heard you got bail.” Delatorre’s façade had begun to crack. Worry lines now bracketed his mouth and frown lines creased his forehead. The confidence he’d had hours earlier had all but evaporated from him, leaving his skin a sickish pasty color.
Syren nodded at him and responded in Portuguese. “Yeah.” He sat next to Peter and leaned across the desk. “Did Peter tell you what they have?”
Delatorre nodded. “He wants me to make a deal.” He shook his head. “No way.”
“I told Mr. Delatorre his options,” Peter spoke softly and clearly. “His job is to think each one over and choose which is best.”
“Why does he have to make a deal?” Syren asked. “Can’t the video and photos be thrown out or something?”
Peter nodded and looked down at the notepad in front of him on the desk. “I’m working on it, but I won’t hold my breath. Mr. Delatorre has been on the FBI’s radar for a long time and they have more than enough to hold him until trial.”
“Do something,” Syren urged. “I can make some calls, bribe some judges, threaten some people?” He looked to Delatorre for the okay, but Peter spoke first, his voice tight.
“I’d advise against it.”
“I will think about it.” Delatorre looked first at Peter before turning the full weight of his perusal on Syren. “Make sure everything else is taken care of,” he said. “Thiago needs to be watched and the family back home…”
“I’ll make sure all is well and up and running for when you come back.” Syren smiled. “You can count on me, sir.” Fucking hurt him, physically, to speak those words out loud.
“I know I can.” Delatorre waved a hand in dismissal. “Go.”
Syren and Peter rose as one.
“I’ll be back in the morning,” Peter promised.
Outside in the hallway Peter grabbed Syren by the throat and slammed him into the wall. “What the fuck is this? Do you have any idea how hard it is to look him in the eye much less act like I give a fuck about his well-being?” His brown eyes flashed.
Syren attempted a smirk despite the stranglehold Peter had him in. “I may have an idea, yes.”
Peter’s expression softened, but he didn’t release Syren or ease the tight hold. “Fuck.”
“I did not peg you as the vulgar type,” Syren said. “Just goes to show, it’s always the quiet ones.”
“Shut up.” Peter shook him. “I have to think.”
“Okay, but while you’re thinking try not to hurt me, Billy would be upset.” He grinned. “How is your lover, by the way? Still hacking into places he shouldn’t?” He raised an eyebrow and Peter opened his fist. Syren’s feet were once again planted on solid ground. He exhaled.
“Last I checked,” Peter answered, “you were the one paying him to hack into places he shouldn’t.” He tugged angrily on his ugly brown suit.
“Well yeah. The man’s got talent.”
Peter moved away from him and stood with his back against the opposite wall, banging his head against it. “Can we not talk about Billy right now?” He slid agitated fingers though his short, dark hair.
“Sore subject?”
“None of your business.”
Syren smiled at him. “Of course it’s my business. I brought you crazy kids together, did I not? Therefore I’m invested in making sure all is well.”
Billy had been working for Henri, in charge of getting the buyers for the items Henri stole. Syren kind of inherited him and his insane computer skills. Peter Heppner Syren found when he did his research on who had it out for Ricardo Delatorre. It appeared Peter’s father had died of a drug overdose in one of Delatorre’s whorehouses in Brazil. Problem with that was the elder Heppner had no history of drug use and he’d been an investigative reporter asking questions. When Syren offered Peter a way to avenge his father, the lawyer jumped at the chance. Guess he was a son first and a lawyer second.
Syren stared at the pinched expression on Peter’s face. “All is well, right?”
“We’re fine.” Peter raised his gaze to the ceiling. “I just, I want this to be over with already. We need some peace.”
“You’ll get peace when Delatorre is dealt with.” Syren walked away, making his way through the seemingly endless hallways until he bumped into Patel.
“Any hospitals or clinics in the vicinity?” He had a blood test to take and a lover to check in with.
Patel looked him over. “You don’t look sick.”
“Then look closer, I’m sicker than your average.” Syren winked. “Any idea where my phone is?”
“Didn’t have it on you when you came in?”
Syren shook his head. “I think one of your overzealous agents may have swiped it.” “No one turned it in. Maybe you dropped it in the limo?”
Fuck. “Damn it! Where is the limo?”
“I’ll have one of the guys go find it.” Patel eyed him curiously. “You’re mighty flustered over a phone.”
“And you’re mighty inquisitive, aren’t you? All up in my business, Patel.” He stuck his tongue out when Patel glowered. “Where’s the nearest health clinic?”
“About ten blocks east of here.”
Syren was off before he finished speaking, racing to catch Peter as he got on the elevator. “I need a ride,” Syren panted. Man, he was so out of shape. “And your phone.”
Despite the curiosity in his gaze, Peter handed over his phone as the elevator doors closed on them.
Syren dialed and waited.
“Hey, babe.”
He snickered. “Hey, babe to you too, Billy.”
Billy sputtered. ‘‘You! Why do you have Peter’s phone?”
“Your man is here with me, details aren’t important.” Syren waved away Peter’s glare. “My phone is lost, can you find it with your fancy thingie?”
“What fancy thingie?”
“How should I know? You’re the expert. You know my phone number, use some kinda GPS something or other to locate it.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ve got some very important calls to make and I need that phone.”
“I can try.” Billy didn’t sound too sure.
“Do more than try, William.”
“Ugh. Hate when you use my government.”
“Which is precisely why I use it.” The elevator dinged, opening up in an aboveground parking garage. “Get a pen and paper, I have a number for you.” He recited Kane’s number to Billy and instructed him to, “Call this number as soon as we hang up. His name is Kane. Tell him I’m fine, but I lost my phone. Got it?”
“New man in your life?” Billy asked.
“Butt out.” Syren walked alongside Peter as they headed to the lawyer’s car. “Do I question you about your love life?”
“Yes!” Both Billy and Peter answered.
“Whatever. Make that call, William, then find my phone. I may have to put the moves on sexy Peter here if you don’t.” He hung up over Billy’s very creative curses regarding Syren’s anatomy. “Come on, Pete. We’re going to a health clinic over thataway.” He pointed in what he really hoped was east.
“Don’t call me Pete.”
Peter unlocked the car and Syren sank into the front passenger side, thankful the windows were tinted. He buckled in then patted Peter on the shoulder as the lawyer started the car. “Whatever you say, Petey.”

Kane sat in the New York office, along with Vince and two other guys from New Jersey. They were all collaborating on the case of a recent parolee who’d neglected to check in after cops were called to his house to find his mother, sister and younger brother shot. The mother and sister were going to be fine, but not the brother. He’d died on the way to the hospital.

Nearly two days since then and Randall Blevins had been spotted in Brooklyn after fleeing Jersey. Now Kane and his crew were on his trail. The action helped keep his mind off Syren. His lover neglected to check in and didn’t answer the two times Kane gave in and called him. The DEA had made a huge bust in Jersey, rounding up a bunch of people, but Kane knew Syren was nowhere around that, so where was his lover?

Vince had been avoiding him, or maybe Kane was the one doing the avoiding, either way they both seemed to never be in the same room alone, together. Eventually they’d have to talk, especially since Vince knew he’d put in for retirement. Thanks to his freaking team leader for outing him before he spoke to Vince privately. Kane had forgotten all about that. He’d thought about retirement when Bailey died, but opted to stay on since that was the only thing keeping him sane. He’d rethought it once Vince kissed him and put in the papers on impulse, but he didn’t regret it. He needed a change of pace, a change of scenery. A change of every damn thing.

He looked up at Vince, who appeared incapable of making eye contact. “Okay, where?” He stood and grabbed his black leather jacket off the back of his chair.
“Blevins’ car was spotted in Brooklyn. Someplace called…” Vince looked down at the piece of paper in his hand. “Canarsie Pier.”
“All right, let’s go.”
Vince’s left eye ticked when his gaze lifted. “I’m gonna sit this one out. Thomas and Michelson will tag along with you.” He turned away and Kane grabbed his arm.
“Vince.”
His friend shook his hold and moved out of reach without even looking at Kane. “Not now. I can’t—”
Kane’s cell phone went off. He released Vince with a grimace and picked it up from his desk. “Ashby.”
“Uh, is this Kane?”
“Yeah.” Kane frowned at the strange voice. “Who is this?”
“Not really as important as the message I’m passing along,” the caller responded. “Syren lost his phone, but he’s okay.”
Kane sagged against his desk with a loud sigh. “Where is he?” Vince looked on, all kinds of questions in his stare.
“Yeah, I wasn’t supposed to disclose that so I won’t.” The caller paused. “He wanted you to know he was okay and he’ll call you as soon as he can.”
“Fuck!” Kane rubbed the back of his neck. He didn’t like that at all, but what choice did he have? “Fine, thanks for calling.”
“Uh-huh.”
He hung up and stared down at the phone in his palm. Syren still had secrets and Kane didn’t know how he felt about that. Did he want to know all of Syren’s dark secrets? Did he want to share in all that with the man he now called his lover? Should he call Syren on it or wait for him to share in his own time?
“What was that? Is Gabe okay?”
Kane jerked his head up. “Huh? Oh yeah, that wasn’t about Gabe.”
Understanding dawned in Vince’s eyes. “It was about him? The guy you’re seeing?”
Kane moved away and looked around. “Can we not discuss this now?” Or ever? He called out to the other agents. “Guys, let’s head out before we lose Blevins again.”
Maybe he’d clear his head while he was out there. Get some things to start making sense.

Delatorre didn’t get bail. No big surprise there, no one except him thought he would. Despite news of a huge traffic tie-up and arrests the day they were picked up, the Feds and DEA both decided not to make it known exactly who they’d taken into custody.

Syren hadn’t banked on that, but he had no complaints. That actually worked in his favor. He focused his attentions on making sure all of Delatorre’s accounts were empty, the money given out to much appreciative charities, anonymously thanks to Billy.

He needed to call Kane. Despite having Billy call and reassure his lover, Syren felt he owed it to Kane to offer some kind of explanation for running out on him after sex, yet again. He’d retrieved his phone to find a couple missed calls from Kane and one from Isa. He also needed to check in on Costa Rica. Before he did that though, he needed to deal with Thiago. The young man insisted on seeing his father so Syren did that, taking him to see Delatorre before the older man was carted off.