The Prince's Narc

Chapter 19

With Luke asleep, Jud got up and cleaned up a bit. He changed into fresh clothes and left the room. He hadn't been anywhere in the house other than Luke's room, but his mind was jumbled. He couldn't just sit and ponder all the questions rolling around in his head.

Even though Luke had been honest, there were still many, many questions he needed answered. He knew Luke didn't have the real answers. The only reason the man had those was because his father had told them, and as a result, he believed them to be true. The truth, the actual truth, lay with Amos Meyers.

Since this case had crossed his desk nearly three weeks ago, something had felt off about it. No matter how far he dug into the past, nothing ever went back to Luke. He had always had a clean record and a good credit score. He'd never been late on any payments, and he was in good graces with his community. There hadn't been anything to link him to his father's sordid past.

So why all of a sudden was this falling on him? Why were they all targeting Luke? He didn't make the plans for the Kings. Amos did. This couldn't be entirely about opening a drug pipeline, could it? What more was there? All the answers were with Amos in the end.

Jud ran into Lou. The man seemed shocked to see him. He asked where he could find Amos, which shocked Lou even more. He led him to the study at the end of the west hall. Jud was shocked at how large the house actually was. Amos had enough money to afford the payments and the upkeep. Plus it suited his crazy personality. There was plenty of space for everyone.

Lou knocked on the door then pushed it open. He let Jud in then closed it behind him. Jud wasn't surprised. Lou tended to mind his own business unless it dealt directly with the family. If Amos needed him, he'd call him. Until then, he'd let the men talk in peace.

Jud looked around. For a large house, the study was modest. It was more than likely an old bedroom no one had claimed. Amos had taken and decorated it tastefully. An oak desk took up most of the space, the L-shape going from the bay window to two-thirds of the way down the wall. The other third was taken up by two bookcases.

On the opposite wall was a small bar. Pictures hung along it, displaying a happy family. He could see many of Luke and Amos. Some had a woman who could only be Luke's mother. He was glad Amos hadn't hidden the photos of his late wife. It meant he wanted to keep her memory alive.

Amos was on the phone. He motioned Jud to sit while he finished his call. Jud sat down and stared at the desk. Files were fanned out all over, stacked rather neatly despite them being open. They looked to be his business files, and from what Jud could tell, they were his ledgers. He must be doing his budget.

All of this had to be causing some issues with his businesses. After being raided twice and a threat of a takeover, he wondered how AMos and his workers were faring.

Amos ended his call and signed the top file before closing it. He set it aside and the same with the last two. He folded his hands on the desk and looked at Jud.

"What can I do for you?" he asked.

Jud couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him. "You're not mad I'm wandering freely?"

"The only one's home are Luke, Raymond, Lou and the housekeeper. Luke's asleep and Raymond is probably in the kitchen eating. He's been at Bennett's helping with the clean up." Amos leaned back and swiveled from side to side. "What is it?"

He knew he had to tread carefully. He didn't want to open up any old wounds. But he had to know what was going on for someone to target his son.

"When this case hit my desk, I thought it was cut and dry. We raid the places we need to, and we get as many drugs off the streets. Then it included Luke, and I was not ready for the rest." He paused as a dull ache started in his chest. "And then..."