The Freelancer – Chapter 43

“Well that went about as expected,” I muttered once we got back to headquarters.

“Better,” Collin countered, “She could have made us listen to the rest of that story.

I knew there was no point to questioning Blackstone’s grandmother.  Or, at least, trying to question her about him.  It was clear after only a moment that she was in deep denial about him.  More likely, she didn’t know what he’d become since moving away.  She’d raised him from the age of thirteen and was his only living relative.  After re-reviewing the background information we had on him, I could see why she was protective of him.

His parents were total losers.  His father ran a heroine lab out of the family’s home, but was caught when Blackstone was eight.  He was sent to prison where he died after a prison yard squabble.

The guy’s mother was even worse.  She’d claimed no knowledge of her husband’s activities and was given immunity when she helped put him away.  She’d never worked a day in her life and couldn’t maintain the lifestyle she was used to working nine to five, so she’d turned to the streets.  She turned tricks for a few years before her throat was slit.

If I didn’t know anything else about this guy I would have felt sorry for him.  He’d had a rotten life by anyone’s standards.  It was more than a little surprising he had excelled in school.

“Are we sure the government seized all of his father’s drug money?”

“They took every cent they knew about at the time.  I suppose it’s possible he had a secret safe deposit box stuffed with cash somewhere for his son.  Why?  Do you think that might be how he’s financing this little fiasco?” Collin replied.

I shrugged.  “I don’t know. I’m reaching at straws, I guess.  Has anything new turned up yet?”

“If you mean a bar napkin with his master plan on it, the answer is no.  The only angle we have right now is Jenna.  Is she still distracted with the case?”

“It goes before the grand jury tomorrow.  I think she figured out the Victor thing, so let’s hope they can put it all together in time.  I think I’m going to head out.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” Collin said.

“No,” I reminded him.  “I have to go to the zoo tomorrow, remember?”

Collin smiled.  “Oh, yeah.  Lions and tigers and all that.  Have fun.”

I knew he was being sarcastic, but something told me I would.

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