his brother was, but he had an obligation to him. He was blood, and their father had completely failed Sean. It was a miracle he’d survived this long. Christian had personally beaten his brother senseless when he had found out about the horrific crime he had committed and the way he had tossed that girl out of his car like she was trash. He had saved his brother from prison by paying a hefty fee, but he had found other ways to punish him. Christian honestly believed he could save him, if he could only get him out of this town.
Christian couldn’t believe what he was about to say. He couldn’t believe he was about to sell out everything his father had taught him. When the doubt rose up in his stomach all he had to do was picture his son. There was no denying a new life, somewhere far from all this, would be the best gift he could ever give Chris. He closed his eyes and spoke quietly. “Judge Rosenthal. I won’t meet with anyone else. If you can get her out tonight and get my family and me out of here by morning I’ll give you whatever you want. I’ve got voicemails, loads of communications, and of course that box of filth I took from the judge’s house sitting in my truck. You get Judge Rosenthal, and you’ve got a deal.” Christian approached Bobby resignedly with his hand extended, ready to make a gentleman’s agreement. As Christian and his loaded weapon came closer, it suddenly dawned on Bobby how dangerous this had all been, how close to death he’d been, and how furious Piper would be. At any point Christian could have, and maybe still would, lift his weapon and kill him.
Bobby took Christian’s hand firmly and shook it. “I need your gun, Christian. You know we’re not going to go sit with a judge while you have a weapon. We’ve both taken some risks here tonight. I need you to take one more.” Bobby extended his hand and gestured toward Christian’s weapon. Christian hesitated and looked over at the judge one last time.
“I want my kid to have a better life. I don’t want him constantly in the crosshairs. I don’t want him to be afraid of me the way I was of my father. I’ve tried to do things right by him, but at every turn I keep getting myself in deeper. This might be the first risk I take that actually makes him safer.” Christian handed over his gun and wiped away the sweat that had gathered on his forehead. Christian asked, pointing over to the judge, “So what are we going to do with him? The stuff I gave him will keep him out for another eight hours or so.”
“Do you have anything we can use to tie him up?” Bobby asked, deciding it was better to keep the judge in one spot to limit their liability of him either taking off or seeking retribution.
“I’m the head of the largest crime family in this state. I carry around rope like normal people carry a pack of gum. I never leave home without it,” Christian said with a wry smile. Bobby wasn’t quite ready to start cracking jokes with Christian, but he had to admit it was a pretty witty response. He bit his lip to hold back a smirk, and Christian patted him on the shoulder. “I get it Officer; I’m still the enemy here. I’m not trying to be best friends, but I have a feeling we’re in for a long night so you might as well warm up to me now.” Bobby and Christian headed outside as Bobby pulled out his cell phone.
“You can put comedian on your list of career options, since you’ll be in the market for one. With any luck you’ll get relocated somewhere real remote, maybe the Midwest. Can you milk a cow?” Bobby pushed open the door as he heard Christian mumble an expletive or two under his breath. It was clearly just dawning on Christian that he may not be picking his destination the way you would a vacation spot.
Bobby knew Piper would be bubbling over with questions and probably frustration. But she’d have to wait a little longer to scold him because Michael needed an update first.
Chapter Twenty-three
As Bobby drove down the quiet streets of Edenville, he tried to wrap his mind around the evening’s events. He never would have imagined his passenger tonight