"Oh baby what about this one" Nadia asked picking up a red polo styled onesie.
"That's nice. I like those two green onesies over there too." I said.
"Those are cute- oh my gosh Kenny come here." She said.
I rushed over to her, "What?"
She put my hand on her stomach, "Feel."
I felt the baby moving and I smiled. I can't wait to be a dad.
"Oh my God. He's really moving around in there." I chuckled.
Our happy moment was ruined when the Satan's daughter walked in the door. "I'm here." My sister-in-law announced walking into the boutique.
"Katia!" Nadia squealed in excitement hugging her sister.
"How are you?" Katia asked her.
"Good."
"And my nephew?"
"Great."
Katia glared at me, "Kenny."
"Katia." I said in the same tone.
Nadia scoffed, "Really guys? Come on, we're suppose to be celebrating the new life coming in a couple weeks. Can't you get along?"
"I have to get back to work." I said annoyed.
"Always working." Katia said.
"Yeah that's what people with jobs do. You should try it sometime instead of just opening your legs to whoever can pay your bills that day." I snapped.
"Stop! Go to work." Nadia scolded me. I threw my hands up and left.
€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€
"Kenny I feel like we need to ask more questions." JJ said.
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Something other than 'Did you know Ricky Finnelo?' Every thug in this city knew him, some even called him an undercover racist."
"Ricky wasn't a racist. He said some fucked up shit, but you know how Italians are." I said reminiscing on the time he called a group of black guys monkeys once.
"Maybe that fucked up shit got him killed." She said.
"Come on we can start with the Mavericks."
€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€
"Detective, welcome back. I see you brought a friend." Joey said looking JJ up and down.
"Joey, this is Detective Jackson."
"She's cute. What brings you by?"
"Ricky Finnelo." JJ said.
"Did you catch his killer?" Joey asked.
"No and I don't think you want us to."
"Of course I don't. I want my men to catch him. Then I'm going to slit his throat for ruining my biggest income."
"If you didn't do it who do you think is responsible?" JJ asked.
"The one who cares about loyalty more than money." Joey said.
"Williams...thank you Mr. Goratti."
"Sure. Come back anytime- just you Detective Jackson."
"Joey." I said giving him a nod.
"Edmonds."
€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€
Blaze answered the door and gave me a confused smile, "Hey." She said.
JJ extended her hand, "Hi, I'm Detective Jackson and this is Detective-"
"We know each other...very well. Hi Ken." Blaze said giving me that smirk.
"Okay...well we need to ask your husband a few questions." Janet said.
"He's away on business."
"Well maybe you can answer a few questions."
"Sure, come in." Blaze said opening the door wider. She walked ahead of us giving me a good view until JJ interrupted.
"Ken?" JJ asked.
"Focus." I told her and she scoffed.
"Where is your husband exactly?"
Blaze turned around, "Philadelphia. Can I get you anything?" She asked going into the kitchen as we sat down on the couch.
"No. We're here to talk about Ricky Finnelo-"
We heard glass shatter, "Shit." Blaze said.
"I'll help you." I said grabbing a broom to sweep up the glass. I felt JJ eyeing me but whatever.
"Um Ricky, I didn't know him, but my husband worked with him a lot." She told Janet.
"You never spoke to him?"
"Nope. I try to stay out of my husband's business affairs."
"You mean drug deals?" JJ asked making me look up.
Blaze scoffed, "You're getting off topic Detective. This is about the man you're replacing, right? Let's focus on him."
"Ricky was drug dealer too, working for your husband and your ex-boyfriend."
"That doesn't mean I knew him. Like I said I stay in my lane-"
"What exactly is your lane? Running your own little whore house out of this apartment?!" Janet yelled as I sat there speechless at how this escalated.
"I think it's time for you to leave."
"Did I strike a nerve?"
"Get out."
I stepped between them, "Jackson. Outside now." I said. She walked out and I followed her, "What the hell was that?"
"Somebody has to crack down on her. You were too busy staring at her ass to do it...men. And don't I missed all that y'all were doing in there." She said with an attitude.
"What I do is none of your concern. JJ, you insulted the only willing witness we have, now we may never get B to talk. On top of that you completely rubbed Ricky's name in the dirt. What's that gonna look like in court? You turned our victim into villain." I said.
She sighed, "I'm sorry."
"That's not good enough. You need to apologize."
She scoffed, "Look I know you're fucking her and you care about her feelings, but I'm not doing that."
"If she never talks to the cops again, that's on you. You just burned a bridge." I told her. I walked away but came back, "Oh and I suggest you stay in your lane. Don't forget whose in charge here." I said leaving her in the hallway.
I went back inside, "I'm sorry about her. She's just on edge about Ricky." I told Blaze.
"You sure that's all?" She asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Ken, she's not stupid. Either she's cool with your wife and is now very pissed about you cheating, or..."
"Or what?"
"She wants you."
"JJ? Nah, we're just friends and she only met my wife once." I said. Janet's too busy ogling the new guy Nathan.
"Whatever you say."
"I only have eyes for you."
She rolled her eyes, "Bye Kenny." She chuckled.
I pecked her cheek, "I'll be back later."
