The Frame-Up (The Golden Arrow #1)(49)

“In case the cop who took over was the double agent and killed you too?”

“Yes.” I think I hear a note of relief in Casey’s voice. Like he’s just removed a splinter that has been a pain in his ass for thirty years.

“Okay. If we can find this kid, we’ll bring him in for questioning. We’ll do what we can, even though the time to search for him would have been right after your dad’s death. Can you give me a name?”

“I’ve tried to find this guy for years. Never knew his last name. I only know his first name is Lawrence.”

Fear curdles my stomach, forming a pit of doom. Lawrence not only worked for Casey Senior; he was a part of the shenanigans that got Casey Senior killed. At least that’s what my boss believes. I guess I’m not the only one keeping secrets, but this could get Lawrence sent to jail. Or killed by the drug lords if they figure out he is involved. I frown. Unless Lawrence is the Golden Arrow and is avenging Casey Senior’s death, but wouldn’t he have told me that?

Matteo clears his throat. “Lawrence. Okay. Description?”

“We were both pretty young, but he would probably be a big black guy these days. Over six feet probably. That’s all I know. I don’t know why someone has been following drug dealers or making reference to the White Rabbit. Maybe the White Rabbit was a real person too. We won’t know until we find those journals. I’ve looked everywhere in my father’s belongings for them. Will you please let me know if you find more?”

Matteo’s face doesn’t give anything away, but I’m already dying inside. He jots in his notebook, then tucks it into his shirt pocket. “Thank you, Mr. Casey. I appreciate you weighing in on this. We’ll take your counsel seriously in this matter. Would you mind giving a written statement?”

Casey Junior hesitates. “Is it necessary?”

Matteo sits forward in the chair, bringing him within inches of Casey Junior’s face. “Mr. Casey, I assure you this case is my number-one priority. The safety of citizens is at stake, the safety of your employees, and now possibly the solution to your father’s death. I need a written statement.”

Casey blows out a breath. “Okay.”

“Excellent. In light of your new information, may I also have permission to look at your father’s office?”

“Sure. I’ve looked through there a million times, but be my guest. I hope you find something I’ve missed.”

Matteo shakes Casey Junior’s hand and stands up to leave. He tosses a look at the camera that is clearly meant for me. “Stay where you are; we need to talk” is written all over his face.

He arrives shortly and shuts the door with a click behind him. Rideout starts yelling about how Matteo removed the earpiece, but Matteo has eyes only for me. “MG, did you know about this?”

“Of course not. I had no idea he thought his father was murdered.”

“That wasn’t what I was talking about. I’m talking about your best friend being a person of interest in this case.”

I chew my lip. “Not really. Lawrence did say he’d worked for Senior. It’s why he had the journal, but that’s it. I didn’t know the rest. I promise.”

“We’re going to have to bring him in for questioning.”

“Can’t we just—”

“MG, he’s a suspect. You should be thankful I’m not saying we need to arrest him.” He pauses to study my face. “Do you think he knows more than what he told you?”

I shrug. “Maybe. I didn’t even know to ask. Matteo—he’s not the Golden Arrow. I know him.” I’m outwardly vehement, but . . . do I really know Lawrence? Look at all I’ve learned in a week about my so-called best friend. Talk about secrets and lies on all sides these days. I bite my lip. “But . . .”

“But.” Matteo looks less than thrilled.

“Well, it’s just that Lawrence called me earlier and thought maybe someone had been in his shop. And, well, the day you came over to my house? I thought maybe someone had been in my room.”

Matteo’s mouth presses into a line, a clue to his suppressed fury. “And you’re just mentioning this?”

“I-I didn’t think about it before.” Which is stupid since Matteo increased patrols at my house and I’ve been feeling for a week now like the Golden Arrow is taking my involvement personally.

“Was anything taken from your room?”

“No, maybe just some comic books moved around. And really, I’m not even sure about that. Lawrence said the same thing. If nothing was taken, it’s not a big deal, right?”

“What if someone is trying to find out what you know about the case? Or found out about your friend’s journal and suspects that he has something to do with the case too? Did you think about that?”

I frown. “Well, now I’m thinking about it.”

“That’s why you’re not a cop,” Rideout says with a pointed look at Matteo.

Matteo runs his hands through his hair. “And keep me in the loop next time, will you? We need that journal. We need to question Lawrence. And now that I know that someone could be watching him, it may be safer to take him into custody.”

My hands make fists of their own volition. This has gone sideways so fast. “Don’t do that. Don’t put him in custody, Matteo. He hasn’t done anything wrong.” I hope.