38
AIDAN
Leaningagainst the railing that fenced off the park outside Jonesy's building, I watched as kids trick or treated.
It was Saturday night, the day before Halloween, but there were still mini-Elsas andMinecraftcharacters darting here and there, collecting as much candy as they could.
They didn't appear to notice how the cops had cordoned off the entrance to Jonesy's building.
Or, if they did notice it, they were more interested in getting to the people whocouldgive them candy.
New York never ceased to amaze me sometimes.
A man's life was in the balance, his world teetering on the brink of implosion, but did his neighbors care?
No.
Over the next forty minutes, evidence was retrieved from Jonesy's property. Bagged up and tagged, it was slotted into one of the many vehicles that were taking up space on the street, until eventually, finally, Jonesy left the building.
Though I kept my features expressionless, I watched as Jonesy was taken to a nondescript black SUV. I hoped that he'd see me, that he could see the threat that was my presence here, and he did.
As our gazes collided, he swallowed, nodded, then focused on the SUV as if that were his salvation.
Ironically enough, it was.
When he was taken away, slowly but surely, Maria, Jonesy's wife, was left alone. The cavalcade of black SUVs made their retreat, as did the forensics van, until I was the only one in a suit remaining.
Well, except for one car and the two agents who wandered over to me in the aftermath.
In the dark, with their black suits, they almost blended into the shadows.
Unfortunately for them, the only boogeyman hanging around this area was me.
The thought made my lips twitch as Reeve lit himself a cigarette, the glow of the lighter blossoming against his palm as he shielded the tip so it would light, as he confirmed, "He confessed."
"Copped to all of it?"
"Every last bit, and the rifle was where you said it would be," Palinsky crowed. "Director Eric told us to thank you for the tip, Mr. O'Donnelly."
Dismissing the gratitude, I tucked my hands into my pockets. "What happens now?"
"We break him down, make sure that nothing stops a conviction, and we get him on death row."
"I like how the Secret Service works." I pursed my lips. "Jurisdiction going to be a problem?"
"Maybe. We’re not worried. We’re overseen by Homeland, and if it gets tossed out of our hands, they’ll snatch it up."
And if that failed, and it fell to the FBI, we had the director in our pocket.
I didn't bother with a farewell, just strode away from them. "Keep me in the loop as much as you're able."
When I was at the corner of the block, Palinsky called out, "You think he'll change his mind?"
I turned back to face him. "Wouldn't you in his position? But the evidence says it all, doesn't it?"
Reeve took a deep drag on his cigarette. "It does."
"Then that's the only thing that matters, isn't it?"