Triple Diamonds (Mystic Nights #2)(47)

He grinned at the grainy image. He didn’t know what those ultrasound technicians saw to make that determination, but, hey, it was what they were trained to do. He was excited for his brother and new sister-in-law. Aliya was nearly five months pregnant. The thought of the soon to be new addition to their family made him think of Jewel, and seeing her belly swollen with his child. It made his smile widen even more. It also made other parts of his body react. He willed his libido to calm down. He had a long day ahead of him, and an evening where he planned to woo his future wife. But the evening also had another purpose—to help guide her brothers while hoping they were not involved in any serious kind of trouble.

*

The evening went well. He was able to talk to the boys between bouts, and Jewel ran and got drinks while the boys talked about the matches, and the merits and strengths of each fighter. Joseph had been reluctant to be direct especially with Jewel around. He didn’t want to spoil the evening, so instead focused on warning the boys through stories of himself and some of the fighters, how stupid childhood mistakes could cost one of them their future. Mostly the boys were receptive, nodding their agreement, but he could sense they knew he was attempting to give them some kind of a lecture. So he toned it down. The boys assured them they wanted to be athletes, and role models. They weren’t going to screw that up.

He probed them about what they wanted to do if and when their athletic pursuits came to an end. Lesley wasn’t sure. He liked animals, and hoped to earn a degree in vet science. Wesley stated simply that he was going to become a teacher like his mother. He knew the money wasn’t great, but it was what he wanted to do.

Joseph saw the flash of pain in the young man’s eyes, but respected his candor, and his dream. It was a noble goal. He clapped the young man on the back and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, and then noticed Lesley quickly changed the subject on behalf of his brother. Jewel arrived with more refreshments from the concession stand, and they all settled in for the last bout, the main event.

The last fight concluded just after ten, and the boys took off. They couldn’t be persuaded to get a snack with them. They had promised some friends they would join them for a study session for their upcoming AP sociology exam. With a nod of approval from Jewel, the boys each kissed her cheek, and then shook Joseph’s hand thanking him once more for the evening out.

Joseph watched them leave, and in his heart felt they were both good kids. He hadn’t been able to get any information out of them, but they seemed grounded. Focused on their current pursuits. Instead of the snack, he took Jewel’s hand and they decided to head to his house. They would have a few hours together and then he would drive her home.

He still wasn’t completely satisfied about the boys’ extra-curricular activities, and he hoped to have the boys talk more, but it was a start. He was laying the groundwork. He planned on doing something that weekend with them and perhaps they would be more talkative then.

*

The evening passed too quickly for both him and Jewel. Shortly after one, she was dressed once more, and he was just donning his jacket to take her home when his cell phone rang. Answering it on his way down the steps after locking the door behind them, wondering who would call so late, he was shocked to hear his mother’s voice.

“Joseph, I need you at the casino. Mohegan’s was hit tonight. And so were we. Four guests were robbed. I want you to come look at the tapes we have. You are going to want to see this.”

With his heart sinking, he had a bad feeling. Something in his gut told him, he wasn’t going to like what he was going to see. Not letting on to Jewel what was going on so the evening wasn’t spoiled for her, he opened the door on her side of the car and helped her in before making his way to the driver’s side. The ride to her home was done in silence. Kissing her quickly, he explained that he would see her the next day and suggested a late lunch before her shift.

“Sure,” she murmured into his chest not releasing him right away. She’d had a great time tonight, and was reluctant to see it end.

Joseph’s unease grew as he parted from Jewel. The timing of the robberies set one worry to rest though. Jewel had been with him the entire time. But the boys, God, he hoped they weren’t involved. He gave her one final kiss at her door. He needed to go. Work, duty, and family called. He just hoped his suspicions that somehow her brothers were involved were not true. Why did they have all this money? What were they buying with it? Those questions just wouldn’t leave him as he pulled out of Jewel’s driveway and headed to The Mystic. He hoped he would finally get some answers.





Chapter 17




?


It was nearly two AM by the time he arrived at the casino and his mother was waiting in the lobby for him. Her face was grim. Jonathan stood beside her. Both looked tired and unsettled. He saw the exchange between them as he approached. He knew something was up and whatever they had seen on the tapes was serious.

“What is it?” he asked wasting no time, getting straight to the point.

“We’re not sure. But you have to see it for yourself,” Tawny replied, hooking her arm through Jonathan’s and leading him to the bank of elevators. The casino was busy still at this time of night, but they weaved their way through the crowds of people coming and going through the lobby. Taking the service elevator, they didn’t need to wait in line after Jonathan swiped his key card. Joseph was on their heels as they made their way to the security suite on the second floor. His face a mask, but he knew whatever they had seen was not good.