Chapter Fifty

Stephen

Our little one is already three weeks old, a month tomorrow. Unfortunately, his first few weeks have been a whirlwind of stress.

Clint, Dave, and I have been working nonstop with Benji to figure out what the hell Chad was up to.

It was mid-afternoon, and I had just gotten home from my day shift at Capulet. My manager was covering the night shifts for me so I could help my wife with the kids’ bedtime.

Jay was asleep upstairs, and the twins were playing in the backyard with Shankly. Trinity and I were relaxing on the patio, watching them while enjoying a spliff. My baby was lying down with her head in my lap, and as I looked down, I saw her staring back up at me. Her beautiful brown eyes were lost in mine.

I took a big draw on my blunt before leaning down and capturing her mouth in mine, blowing the smoke into her mouth as she inhaled.

I bit my lip as I watched her inhale it, then exhale.

“Stephen—fuck, that's sexy, baby.”

I leaned down and kissed her softly before running my hands through her long hair spread across my lap.

I was absentmindedly playing with my wife's hair while watching our little ones when my attention was drawn to my phone vibrating on the table.

My doll picked it up for me.

“Trinity—It's Benj, baby.”

“Stephen—(Phone call) Hey, mate.”

“Benji—(Phone call) Where are you?”

“Stephen—(Phone call) I'm at home with the wife and kids, man. What's up?”

“Benji—(Phone call) Stay there, I'll be over within the next thirty minutes. Call Clint and Mia, Dave as well, and tell them to get over as quickly as possible.”

“Stephen—(Phone call) Right, you going to tell me what this is about?”

“Benji—(Phone call) When I get there. This is serious, mate. I need you to listen and get it done.”

“Stephen—(Phone call) On it.”

“Benji—(Phone call) See you soon.”

I hung up and quickly dialed Clint's number.

“Trinity—All good, babe?”

“Stephen—I don't know, momma. Benj sounded a bit concerned.”

“Trinity—That's not like him at all.”

“Stephen—Exactly. He's on his way here and wants me to get the others over as soon as possible.”

“Trinity—I'll go put the coffee on.”

“Stephen—Thanks, beautiful.”

I quickly dialed Clint, and he answered almost immediately.

“Clint—(Phone call) Hey, fuck face.”

“Stephen—(Phone call) Hey, dick cheese. Where are you?”

“Clint—(Phone call) Just at the olds, mate. Had lunch with them, then heading home soon. What's up?”

“Stephen—(Phone call) Not sure, but Benj just called and he's on his way over. He wants you, Dave, and Mia here as soon as possible too.”

“Clint—(Phone call) Did he say why?”

“Stephen—(Phone call) Not yet, mate, but he sounded concerned.”

“Clint—(Phone call) Benj is never concerned.”

“Stephen—(Phone call) Exactly!”

“Clint—(Phone call) We'll pack up and head over now. See you in about fifteen minutes.”

“Stephen—(Phone call) See you then. I've got to call Dave.”

I hung up and quickly dialed Dave.

“David—(Phone call) Bro! What's up?”

“Stephen—(Phone call) Where are you, mate?”

“David—(Phone call) Just left Montague for the day, heading home. You all good?”

“Stephen—(Phone call) Can you head over first? Benj just called sounding a bit concerned and wants to speak to us all.”

“David—(Phone call) Heading there now. See you soon, Bro.”

I stood up and watched my kids play over the gate when my doll came back out and wrapped her arms around my waist, handing me another blunt.

“Stephen—I love you! Thanks, momma. I needed this. Benji sounding so concerned has me a bit rattled.”

“Trinity—We'll be okay, baby. Together, right?”

“Stephen—Together, baby.”

I grabbed her ring hand and gently kissed it, holding her hand in mine as we watched our kids play happily.

It wasn't long before everyone arrived. Trinity went up to check on Jay, who was still asleep, and put Willie and the twins in the front lounge with the kids' gate and a movie on.

We all sat out on the side patio where we could see the kids' play area and make sure they were okay.

I tossed a bag to everyone and a few blunts, letting them roll up while I helped my wife bring out the coffee, sugar, and milk.

“Benji—Thanks, guys, for getting here so quickly. Believe me, if this wasn't critical, I wouldn't have rushed and panicked you all.”

“Stephen—What's going on, Bro?”

“Benji—Well, I've been turning down every avenue trying to piece together what happened at Union Station. And so Chad is none the wiser any of you were involved, I've been liaising with Phil, Eddie, and Sergio for you.”

“Clint—Okay.”

“Benji—They have been doing a bit of their own investigating over there, predominantly with Chad, to assist me.”

“Stephen—So he's given them something we can use?”

“Benji—Well, something we can use, but not expected.”

“Mia—Meaning what exactly, Benj?”

“Benji—I need you to hear me out before you all jump down my throat, okay?”

We all nodded.

“Benji—The boys over there let him assume you guys were involved in the accident at Union Station and didn't correct him. And Sergio has raised concern over his reaction.”

“Trinity—How so?”

“Benji—Sergio is trained well in this, his background, tactical and mission-based, interrogation.”

“David—Yeah, we know his background, mate.”

“Benji—Right, so it's fair to say he's generally right if he raises concern or question over something?”

“Stephen—Yeah, mate.”

“Clint—Yep, I'd trust him.”

“David—One hundred percent.”

“Mia—Sure, but where's this going?”

“Benji—Sergio is quite adamant Chad was not behind the explosion.”

“Stephen—WHAT!”

“Trinity—You're joking, right?”

“Clint—Is this serious?”

“Benji—Think about what you all just said to me? If Sergio raised concern, you'd be inclined to listen?”

“Stephen—So what's got him thinking this?”

“Benji—Well, even Phil said Chad's reactions to the prospect you all were the victims of the attack has been genuine in that it is grief, that he didn't expect that. Sergio also has made several references to Chad saying they may as well kill him, he's as good as dead anyway if they could get to you.”

“Stephen—So if not Chad?”

“Benji—It leaves a handful of people. We believe they followed you after your recent trip to Barcelona and knew you'd spoken to Chad. The explosive couldn't have been sitting in the locker as long as Chad has been gone.”

“Benji—Bomb squad specialists have confirmed it was motion-activated, so something could have easily triggered it before then. There are too many factors involved for Chad to have successfully placed it and left it for months to set this up.”

“Stephen—So when you say you believe they followed us, who are 'they' that you're referring to?”

Benji - Peters, Grounds, and Captain Grounds. Those are the only ones who make sense. They’re the only ones who could have planted it, and they’re the ones who stand to lose the most if you got your hands on what’s in that locker.

Mia - Shit!

Benji - Exactly. I need you all to get your families and get out of here, fast. Dave, I’m sorry. I know Felicity doesn’t know about your past, but you’ve got to tell her. It’s the only way to keep her and your daughter safe.

Benji - For now, I need you all to leave the country. It’s for your own safety. I need you on a flight to Barcelona as soon as you can manage it. Phil, Eddie, and Sergio will be waiting for you.