Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Good. Should we try it with the music or do you just want to move on?” Tam asked.
“Can we power through? I picked up an extra shift today so I’ll need to leave soon,” Z said.
Ansel crossed to the front of the stage and picked up his water bottle. “You’re working a lot lately. I hope you’ll be able to handle the new schedule.” He twisted off the top and chugged.
They’d been adjusting their rehearsal times to accommodate his fluctuating shifts, but that wasn’t going to last. They all had lives and appointments of their own to worry about.
“It won’t be forever, just a few weeks while my coworker is off.” As the lie slipped past his lips, Z turned his head so they couldn’t read the guilt in his eyes.
Chapter Six
“Couldn’t this wait, Janie? I’ll see you in a few hours at Mom’s.” He tapped his pen on his desk and eyed the files from one of their newest cases stacked in neat piles organized by importance.
“I know, but Peter lost his baseball glove and he has a game tomorrow. I won’t have time to go to the sporting goods store because Sammy’s day care fell through and I had to move my shift so I don’t have to pay for a sitter. I thought maybe you could pick it up on the way over.”
Connelly closed his eyes and took a breath before answering, “Yeah, okay.” This was the third glove in a year that Peter had lost. He was beginning to think the kid did it on purpose because he didn’t want to be on the team. But then he went on and on about sports and begged Connelly to watch a game.
“Thanks. He wants a black one, left-handed.”
“I know. I bought the last two gloves, remember?”
His sister was quiet for a second longer than usual and Connelly immediately felt bad for his tone.
“I’m sorry, sis. I’m just a little frustrated about a case. You know I don’t mind helping out.”
Janie sighed. “But you shouldn’t have to. John should be the one taking care of everything, not you.”
“You’re better off without him. He doesn’t deserve you or the kids.”
It was a damn good thing John hadn’t been around when Connelly visited his family because the next time he met up with his sister’s dirtbag ex-husband he was going to knock the guy’s teeth out.
“Don’t cry.” He caught Raoul’s eye-roll and gave a helpless gesture in reply.
“Sorry, I know I shouldn’t.”
“He’s not worth it.”
She hiccupped.
“Listen, I’ll pick up the glove and bring it with me tonight. Then maybe I can take the boys out for ice cream and give you a few hours alone. How does that sound?”
He smiled at her watery laugh.
“Like heaven,” she said.
“Great. I’m here for you. Okay? I know you’re going through a hard time so whatever I can do to help, I will.”
“Thanks, Con. See you later. Oh, and happy birthday.” Yeah, happy birthday to me.
He said his good-byes and placed his cell in its usual spot on his desk.
“I hope you’re not thinking of bailing on me.” Raoul tossed a rubber stress ball at him. Connelly caught it and squeezed.
“Nah, I just have to hit the sporting goods store on the way out to Staten Island.”
“Good, because I’ve got plans for us tonight, and if you left me to deal with all this homophobic bullshit on my own I’d have to punish you instead.”
“Your idea of punishment is a couple extra rounds in the ring, not exactly a threat.”
“We’ll just have to see about that.”
“I can handle it.”
“Shows what you know. I’ve been taking it easy on you.”
Connelly shook his head and refocused on the work in front of him. Shootings were always tough, especially when the only suspect was a kid. He picked up one of the crime scene photos and noted the pool of blood and the discarded baseball cap. There were shell casings littering the ground and a couple bullets embedded in the cement wall, but the most important piece of evidence was the 9mm pistol they’d found. It looked like it was kicked under the garbage container. The question was, had the perp tried to hide the weapon on purpose or had it been discarded during a struggle?
Hard to tell. Without a body or any solid witnesses they were just guessing. The only reason they even knew of the crime was because of 911 calls about shots fired.
He suspected gang ties but didn’t have the proof yet. That was what he’d been searching for when Janie had called. He’d take care of her and the boys because it was his duty and he loved them. Just like he’d always look after his mom, and Matthew whenever his brother was home.
All that responsibility was a weight on him.
About seven months ago, he and Raoul had cornered a perp. They’d called for backup but none came. Connelly had taken a bullet. They’d been lucky that someone had called 911 otherwise they both might have died.