Filthy Daddy (Baby Daddies 2)

They cut behind businesses and parking areas, Frank quiet for once, Liam leading the way in the dark. Once, when a black SUV turns the corner, Liam pushes them back into the shadow of an alley until the truck slides past them. He doesn’t think it was anyone looking for them but it’s better to be safe. After fifteen minutes of walking in a roundabout circuit, they arrive at the back door the of a large white building. This area is brightly lit but a brick wall surrounds the yard, cutting off the view from the street. Liam looks at his watch and raps quickly on the steel door. Seconds later, it swings open and fluorescent lighting spills through the gap. Liam steps back and ushers Willow and Frank through the open door before following them into the brightly lit hallway.

They’re in the back of a police station. Heavy doors, all of them shut, line the hallway. Frank watches as Willow takes in the stark white walls, sees the pulse jump nervously in her neck. Even here, surrounded by police officers, he can tell she doesn’t feel safe. That says a lot for what she went through at Carlo’s hands.

A junior officer escorts them down the hall and into one of the rooms off the side. They haven’t seen anyone else but Liam notes the camera mounted in the corner. He sits with his back to it. The young officer is polite, offering them drinks or snacks. When Frank asks for crackers, the officer gives him a big grin and leaves the room, returning shortly with a bowl full of tiny, orange fish. He gives these to Frank along with a box of juice. Willow thanks him and Frank gives him a big thumbs up. Liam studies the empty room around them, waiting impatiently for the detective to show up.

Several minutes later, the door pushes open and Detective Peters steps over the threshold. Liam stands and crosses the room, his hand out to shake the detective’s. They shake hands quickly and Peters claps Liam on the shoulder, his grip firm and friendly.

Liam glances at the detective, noting that he’s a little older, a little grayer, but over still looks like the same clean cut cowboy type he was when Liam met him in the joint years ago. And he’s still wearing the same damn hat. Something about his staid familiarity makes Liam think that they made the right decision in contacting him.

“So,” the detective booms, his voice big in the small room, “you got some problems with Carlo again? Sit down.” He waves Liam back to the table.

Liam drops into the chair beside Willow and drapes his arm over the back of hers. Detective Peters’s eyes are shrewd as he takes in the pair of them sitting before him. Liam is hoping that shrewdness will help them get rid of Carlo for good.

The detective drops a file folder to the table and leans back in chair, tipping it back on two legs. “Tell me what’s going on this time, Blacke.”

Liam glances at Willow, trying to gauge her mood. She hasn’t said a word since she thanked the officer for Frank’s crackers. She takes a small, quick breath and gives him a nod. Liam gives her shoulder a squeeze before he turns to Detective Peters.

“This is Willow. Willow was Carlo’s girlfriend three, four years ago.”

“And now she’s yours?” The detective’s eyebrows disappear underneath the brim of his large, brown cowboy hat.

“Not…I mean. We’re friends.” Liam finishes lamely. He can feel Willow’s eyes burning into his head. “That doesn’t matter right now. I’m here to help her. She’s got his kid. Carlo’s kid. And Carlo wants him back.”

“Does Carlo also want Willow back?” Peters asks.

“Uh…he does.”

“And you know this how?”

Liam tightens his lips around the words. “I was offered the kidnap contract on them.”

“I see.” Detective Peters temples his fingers underneath his chin, his eyes going hazy with thought for a few seconds. Then he turns to Willow with a smile. “How do you feel about this, honey?”

“Um. Not good?” Willow ventures. She gives Liam a chilly glower.

“I’d imagine not,” the detective says pleasantly.

Willow leans forward. “Are you going to help us?”

Detective Peters gives Liam a searching gaze before turning back to Willow. He leans forward and folds his big hands over hers. “I am. But you’re going to have to trust me.”

Liam pulls Willow back and settles his arms across her shoulder again. He does trust Detective Peters but he knows that Willow doesn’t. He knows that she has reason not too but he’s got to make her understand that it’s for the best. They have to let Detective Peters help them if they’re going to get out from under Carlo for good. He gives her shoulder another squeeze and is relieved when she reaches up and covers his hand with hers.

“So,” Peters flips through the file folder and sucks on his teeth as he reads through a few pages, “I’m going to tell you what I think we should do.”

Liam nods. “I’m listening.”

“We need to turn Willow over to Carlo.”

Willow rockets out of her chair, knocking it over and startling Frank, who begins to cry. She snatches the boy up and hugs him tightly to her. “I told you, I told you,” she sobs at Liam.

“No, no, that’s not what he meant.” Liam jumps up and pulls Willow and Frank into the circle of his arms. He glares over her head at Detective Peters. “Tell her that’s not what you meant.”

“Oh, I meant exactly what I said,” he remarked.

Willow’s sobbing increases against Liam’s chest and he feels his shirt dampen with her hot tears. She’s mumbling against him.

“I told you, they’re all bought. Carlo’s bought them all. We can’t trust cops, we can’t trust anyone. It was a mistake,” she’s babbling now, almost incoherent in her fear.