“What mistakes? You’re a great father. You did everything you could to be a good father to Brian. Sometimes people make poor choices. They make mistakes. Hopefully they learn from them and move on. I think that’s the position you might have to take with Juliana.”
“I know. That makes sense. I was just considering my other options.”
“Such as?”
“Having one of my buddies arrest this young man and maybe losing him in Rikers Island for a few months. Is that a realistic possibility?”
Mary Catherine let out a short giggle and hugged me. Maybe things might work out after all, if I gave them a chance.
Chapter 48
Alex relaxed in a chair near the hotel-room door, watching the unconscious young man tied to a chair next to the bed. It was amazing what a cabdriver would accept when he was afraid your “drunk little brother” would throw up in his cab.
This hotel in East Harlem looked l
ike it was generally used by prostitutes and pushers. There was no hourly rate posted, but based on Alex’s interaction with the clerk, any amount of time could be negotiated.
By the time she walked into the hotel, her captive was stumbling along with her. She’d undone her ponytail and allowed her hair to fly wildly around her shoulders and face. The wide dark sunglasses obscured what little part of her face was visible. And the hundred-dollar bill she handed directly to the clerk ensured that he didn’t pay much attention.
Now she waited patiently for the young man to completely regain his senses. He had lolled in and out of consciousness since they’d entered the room and she’d secured him with the cord from a lamp.
Then the young man’s head snapped upright, his eyes open wide.
He was much younger than she had originally thought. Probably around twenty. He was a good-looking boy with thick lips and a long, straight nose.
She wasn’t sure what to expect. Usually it was begging, and sometimes it involved offers of fast wealth if she would let him go. He went in a different direction and surprised her.
He snarled with a remarkably clear voice, “You will release me right now. If you don’t, you’ll regret your decision the rest of your short, miserable life.”
Alex was speechless for a moment. “Did I hit you too hard? You’re not making any sense. You’re the one who’s tied up.”
“And you’re the one who’s not making any sense. I was thinking I might sleep with you until you started acting like such a bitch.”
Alex just stared at the young man.
“I’ll still let you suck my dick, but you better untie me right now.”
Alex said slowly, “I’m confused. Are you trying to scare me or make me think you’re crazy?”
“I am crazy, and you should be scared. You have no idea what I’ve done to other women who disrespected me.”
“I probably have an idea. But I’m not one of those women. The only reason you’re not dead is because I have a few questions. There’s a chance, if you answer my questions, that you’ll see the sunrise in the morning. But if you’re going to keep up this attitude, I will not waste any more time.” She stood up and made a show out of opening her stiletto. It still had his friend’s blood on the blade.
Alex saw his eyes open wide and realized she was on the right track. She knelt down in front of him and unbuckled his pants. She thought that was all she’d need to do.
Then the young man said, “You better start sucking or you’ll be the one who regrets this.”
She couldn’t believe how some men acted toward women. She jabbed him in the leg with the stiletto. Nothing too serious. But she still had to put her hand over his mouth to keep him from screaming. Then she tilted the chair back so his head banged against the bed.
Alex put the point of the stiletto onto his groin and pressed slightly.
The man let out a yelp.
She knew he’d tell her anything she wanted now.
“Why were you and your friend after me?”
“We know you killed Cesar Ramos in his hospital bed.”