In the Name of Revenge

Chapter Thirteen

THIRTEEN

“Wolters.”

Driving erratically down the highway, Brandon’s cell phone chirped. Not able to check the caller ID as he was weaving in between traffic on highway thirty-three, he quickly answered, praying that it was Monica.

“Brandon, it’s me.”

“Sarge, what do you have? Any information from forensics?”

“No, it’s too soon. I…ah…hate to tell you this, but we put a tail on the Mancini kid once he was released. We just got word that the tail lost him.”

“What! Are you kidding me?”

“I just want you to be extra careful, okay?”

“Who was tailing him?”

“Morone.”

“Aw, Sarge…he’s worthless.”

“He was the only man I had available. Listen, I don’t answer to you nor do I expect my men to question my authority. Understood?”

“Understood,” he backed down as he knew his Sergeant was right.

He was just very frustrated and it was hard to curtail his opinions.

“That means this sicko could be the one who did this to Monica.”

“Whatever ‘this’ is. We don’t know anything yet, Brandon, take it easy.”

He could tell Brandon was beginning to lose it.

“Sarge, if that son-of-a-bitch did anything to Monica…”

Palazzio cut him off, “Stop right there. Do not finish that sentence. Remember, first and foremost you are a cop.”

“No, Sarge. First and foremost, I’m a husband.”

“Well, be one then, Brandon, but do not jeopardize this investigation by doing something which can be determined unethical. I’m ordering you off this case.”

“Not a chance, Sarge. You heard the ADA.”

“Yes, I did. You can testify, as you should, but you will not be involved in any further investigations.”

“Shit!”

He swerved into the right lane, narrowly missing a very slow vehicle that he pulled up behind.

“Did you hear me, Detective Wolters?”

“Loud and clear, Sergeant Palazzio.”

They reverted to formal titles, showing the friendly relationship was being replaced with an order from a higher command.

“Do as you wish, but nothing is stopping me from first, finding Monica and second, from seeking justice.”

He clicked off the call. Aggravated, he tossed his cell phone into the passenger seat.

There was no way that son-of-a-bitch was going to get away with threatening his family. No matter how important being a cop was to him, being a husband was more important.

He worked hard to get where he was in the department. Monica was behind him every step of the way, encouraging him. Even though she feared for his life every day he walked out the door, she knew no matter what she said or did, he loved being a cop. Never before was his family put in jeopardy and he didn’t think that terror would ever reign in his home. The sooner the Mancini family realized he wasn’t a cop who could be paid off or one who would crumble under threats to his family, the better off everyone would be. If anything at all happened to his wife, he would not allow peace in the Mancini family as long as he was breathing.