Moth(47)

We spend the next hour going over surveillance, researching leads, and digging deeper into the people my brother shared a house with in case any of them have the same scenario going on with their pasts as Nina. I stare at a murder board we’ve created with connections to my brother. The lines may connect him to these people, but I can’t figure out why. Something has to give. The police aren’t having any luck either, so I know it’s not just us.

Maybe that’s where this all ties together. Perhaps Nina was recruited into this with one of them and that’s how my brother got involved. Maybe we’re looking at this like my brother was an intentional hit, but what if he wasn’t? What if this has nothing to do with Alizar at all?

I sigh. I feel as if I’m hitting a crossroad where I’m questioning everything we’ve come up with thus far. It’s a painstaking process I’m afraid we might be faced with.

Now, more than ever, I’m determined to take drastic measures to ensure we figure this shit out and move on.



As soon as I leave the guys I phone Nina. I want to hear her voice and make sure she’s still in the hotel waiting for me to return instead of the ideas I have running through my head. She answers on the second ring. “Hey.”

“It’s me, Moth. I’ll be back in about an hour. Get your things together.”

“Why? I told you I can’t go back to the apartment. I need to leave town; to get the hell out of dodge for a while.”

“We’re not going to your place. I’m taking you somewhere safer than a damn hotel. Trust me. We’ll be able to figure out what to do next.”

“I told you I couldn’t see you anymore, Moth. I don’t want you involved in this mess. I’ll figure a way out of it. I’ll find a place to go until I can decide what I’m going to do next.”

“In a body bag. That’s where you’ll end up.” I’m being blatant on purpose. She should be scared.

“I don’t want you putting yourself in danger. Please. It’s better you don’t come back. I’ll disappear. It’ll be okay. I can handle this. I’ve done it before. You sticking around only makes it tougher for me to elude them.”

I can’t let this happen. She’s our only lead. “No way. Stay put. I’m coming there. You need me, babe. Don’t go anywhere.”

I’m in my truck heading to my dad’s place. He used to go hunting and fishing at this cabin one of his military buddies owns. He told me his friend was now living in a nursing home and if I ever wanted to use it I could. Since it’s not in my dad’s name, it won’t be traced back to him, and I know his old friend doesn’t have anyone else to tend to it. He’s a widow without children.

The place is secluded and there isn’t electricity ran this deep in the woods. The road in is private and I’m sure we’ll be safe until I break through her barrier and figure all this out.

I no sooner walk into my dad’s house when my phone begins to ring. I pick up and hear House talking so fast I can’t understand him. “Slow down, man.”

“She’s at the apartment, Moth. We’re watching her right now.”

“I called and told her I would be back in an hour. What is she doing there? She knows it’s dangerous.”

“She’s standing on a chair unscrewing a vent in the ceiling.” My eyes widen as I consider what she could be hiding from all of us. “Don’t hang up until you see what she pulls out.”

It’s quiet for a few seconds and then I hear House loud and clear. “It’s a mini safe. She never opened it. She’s putting the vent back in place. Moth, she’s leaving the apartment. What should we do?”

“Nothing. She just risked her safety to get something. I’m going to find out what it is.”

“Keep us posted, boss. We’ll be here.”

“Make sure you talk to that narcotics cop on my brother’s case. Get those files we need to cross reference. I want to know the dealers in the area. If you can, set up something with one of his informants. Scare the piss out of them if you have to. Get me answers.”

“Will do,” he says as the line goes silent.

My father stands in front of me with his hands in his pockets, change jingles around from within. “What’re you doing here? Any news on your brother’s case?”

“We’re working a few different angles. I’ll keep you in the loop when I have answers.”

“What’re you doing here then? You should be out there working, taking down the son’s of bitches who took him away from me.”

I roll my eyes. My brother was his favorite. It’s never been a secret. “I’m stopping by for something.” Before I explain I consider this house could be bugged. It’s not certain, but I can’t take chances. “I’m going to grab something from my room. Be right back.”

I slip into the kitchen and pull out the junk drawer, easily locating the familiar key and sticking it in my pocket so he won’t notice. I head down to my basement bedroom and locate a few of my old camping items, shoving them into a duffle bag before heading back up the stairs. “What’s in there?” he questions.

“Supplies. Our surveillance platform doesn’t have a ton of amenities,” I lie.

“Well, okay then. Get on back to work. I expect news the next time you pay me a visit.”