The Other Detective - Book 3 (Riverdale Season 3)

The Raid - Part 2

"What the hell were you thinking? Are you out of your mind?" FP screamed at Jughead. "He was gonna lead me to the cook! To Kurtz!

"You asked me to be your eyes and ears!"

"I told you to report back to me!"

"What the hell is going on here?" Gladys demanded as she and Aminity came down the stairs. "We can hear you all the way up in Aminity's room."

"Your son thought that he could cure Riverdale's drug problem by cracking a few skulls, didn't you?" he continued to yell before sitting down.

"I had it under control."

"You know, Jughead, maybe your father is right. If it's as dangerous as he says it is, maybe this whole deputy program... Maybe it's not such a good idea for the Serpents."

"No, Mom. The program's working. We have unity and purpose-"

"And it's putting you in danger," she turned to her daughter.

"Aminity wasn't there. Not all the Serpents were. Only the ones who wanted to-"

"Your mother's right, boy."

"No. Don't listen to her."

FP stood back up. "If I see or hear about any other Serpents trying to take the law into their own hands again, I swear, I'll throw your asses in jail." He went back upstairs.

"Aminity, go back upstairs and grab the top coat for our nails," Gladys told her and she shared a look with her brother before listening. "Looks like you'll be sitting the next few round out, sugar."

***

"Jughead, I need to talk to you," Aminity stopped him before he could walk out the door the next morning.

"Not now, Aminity," he ignored her.

"Yes, now." He sighed before closing the door and crossing his arms. She took in a breath. "I know Mom's the new drug dealer. I know she's setting it all up again."

"How did you- Sweet Pea?"

"I'm not an idiot. I figured it out on my own."

Jughead sighed. "I wanted to keep you out of it."

"By pushing me away? Jughead..." She pushed back the tears in her eyes. "I understand that you wanted to protect me, but I don't need it. Stop pushing away. I hate it. I thought you and I were finally okay again."

"I'm sorry," he let out quietly. "I knew how much a relationship with Mom meant to you and I didn't want to mess that up."

"I'd rather know the truth than be lied to, no matter how much it might hurt. I want to help. I want us to do this right."

"Okay," he smiled. "I'll tell you everything. And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you out. I-"

"It's okay," she told him truthfully. "You were just being a big brother."

"Yeah. But a Serpent King doesn't do too well without the princess."

"Let's fix that then."

***

"I drove past the building," Archie told them as they stood in his kitchen. "Mad Dog was right. I saw Gargoyles coming in and out like they own the place."

"How many?"

"A lot."

"That must be where Kurtz is doing his cooking," Jughead sighed.