A week later, I was cleaning up the project we’d been working on, when I heard Halo asking the other guys if they’d seen me.
“I’m over here,” I shouted.
“Hey, I’ve got a favor to ask.”
“Shoot.”
“I’m having some furniture delivered to Sloane’s place in about an hour. I could use some help.”
My eyes met Cowboy’s, who was standing behind Halo. “I wish you would’ve let me know earlier. I told my dad I’d meet him at another house he’s looking to flip.”
“No worries,” he said, turning to walk away.
“Hey, Halo, I can help if you need it,” Cowboy offered when I nodded.
“You sure?”
“Absolutely. I ain’t got nothin’ on except maybe havin’ a couple of beers.”
“I can make arrangements for that when we’re done.”
“Sorry, man,” I called after them.
“It’s all good,” said Halo, waving behind him.
As much as I was dying to see Sloane, I couldn’t yet. First, I had to be sure no one linked to Caruso had their sights set on me. There was no way I’d risk putting her in danger if Nick’s husband knew I was the one who arranged for her to disappear.
Another two weeks had passed when I got a call from Razor.
“Just got word that Caruso’s in custody.”
“What for?”
“It’s a long list, my friend. Racketeering, loan-sharking, tax fraud, stock manipulation, drug, and weapons possession.”
“You’ve been busy.”
“You know it. I also managed to plant the seed that he was looking to make a deal.”
That was even better news. If anyone thought Caruso was ready to turn state’s evidence, there was no way they’d help him with anything, including fingering me for getting his wife away from him.
“Thanks, Raze.”
“No thanks necessary, Tackle. It’s what we do.”
I hung up, wishing I could celebrate by paying Sloane a visit. Instead, I went looking for Halo.
“Got time for a couple of Sammys after work?”
“Nothin’ but time, man.”
We went back to the grill and got there early enough that there weren’t many people in the place.
“How’s it goin’?” I asked after watching him pound his beer and throw back a shot of Irish.
“Okay, I guess.”
“Tara?”