Blood & Water

Chapter 10

A few days after returning home again, Carrie was in her dining room with Kevin. She had agreed to meet him but as usual he was distracted and on edge. Part of her wondered if his work, EZ and the Galindo investigation aside, had something to do with her finally leaving.

"What is it?" She asked him with concern.

"What?" He asked, looking away from Joey.

"The problem," she scoffed. "Look at you, Kevin. You're a mess."

He shook his head and turned his attention back to the baby. "It's nothing. I'm just here to see Joey."

"I know you are but that doesn't you're not carrying shit with you," she said with annoyance.

"You sure about this?" He asked her sadly. "The separation?"

"Yes," she sighed. "I am."

"What can I do?" He asked. "Give me some time to get work under control and we'll fix it."

Carrie wished she hadn't asked. It never occurred to her his issue was their relationship, she'd been so happy she almost forgot he was suffering.

"There is nothing to fix," she told him. "Kevin you're great, I love you, but like a friend not like a husband."

"At least something good came from this marriage even if it was fake," he said cruelly. "Joey isn't fake, you can't deny that."

Her breath caught in her throat when he said it. She did not want to tell him the truth, although she planned to, and when he brought it up she felt better usual level guilt skyrocket. Angel didn't even know Kevin was visiting, it wasn't planned and she knew telling him it happened, even though it was spontaneously, would only hurt more.

"He isn't fake, no, but Kevin," she whimpered. "Part of why-"

His work phone rang out loudly from his jacket and cut into her attempt at honesty. Sure she felt relief but she was also angry, the words were right there.

"Hold on," he grumbled as he answered the call. "Jimenez."

Carrie watched his face change and she knew whoever had cut into their conversation was bringing bad news.

"Okay. I'll reach out." He said before tossing the phone on the table.

"What is it?"

"Work."

"No shit," she snapped. "What's wrong? You look upset."

"I am upset, my wife left me," he said harshly.

Carrie drew her head back at the anger in his tone but didn't speak. She had nothing to say, he was right.

"I gotta go, Galindo is off the grid and we don't know where."

"How do you not know?" She asked, eager and suddenly on edge as well. "Where is he? Why would be leave?"

"I just said we don't know," he huffed. "I have to find EZ to see what he knows while the team calls around. Someone must have had a warrant or probable cause."

"Wait," she gasped. "You think he got arrested and didn't, like, leave?"

"He didn't run," Kevin shook his head. "At least I doubt it."

Carrie felt her head spin, the intense terror that slapped her was disorienting, and she felt her legs suddenly become jelly.

"Hey," he moved quickly to grab her as she crumbled down, catching herself on the edge of the table. "What is it? Are you okay?"

"I'm...I'm fine."

"Carrie," he helped her sit. "You look like you saw ghost."

Carrie hadn't seen a ghost but she was terrified she'd be one shortly. If Galindo was arrested he would immediately come for her and Angel and maybe even Joey. He was innocent, he was an infant, but it was a cartel and she had heard the stories from Kevin.

"It's probably my blood sugar," she tried to steady her voice but it was no use. "I'm okay. Really."

He shook his head. "I can't leave you, especially with Joey. I'll have to call Felipe."

"No, go, it's okay," she assured him. All
Carrie wanted to do was call Angel. She was desperate to hear his croon her name and promise her that she and Joey were safe.

"No," he said adamantly. "Let me get you into bed and I'll call him."

Carrie didn't fight him, she let Kevin accompany her up the steps and into the master bedroom. As soon as she was alone again she text Angel.

"Please call me. It's an emergency. I need to talk to you immediately. Kevin is here, don't just come up, but he isn't the problem. I love you."

The text was vague but she knew better than to name Galindo when potentially anyone could see it.

Angel wouldn't get the text, not immediately like she hoped, because he was in Templo with the club. Once business was finished the other members left through the signed glass door and left Bishop with Angel.

"You're running out of time," he said. "You got a plan?"

"No," he admitted with a dramatic shrug and sigh. "She's gonna hate me."

"She doesn't have to know it was you," Bishop advised.

"Still gonna find out," Angel huffed. "They're married. She's gonna get the call, she's gonna ID him, she's gonna have to bury him and she's gonna know it was connected to me."

Bishop nodded. "Make it look like a smash and grab?"

"Could work," Angel nodded. "She's gonna be suspicious no matter what. Last week she's on the pew and this week her DEA husband is dead."

"As long as it's not obvious who pulled the trigger," Bishop reminded him. "Do you trust her, even after she sees him dead?"

"She'll come to me, she won't go to the cops," Angel said confidently.

"And what if she thinks it was you?" Bishop asked darkly.

Angel smirked a little. "Then she'll come AFTER ME."

Bishop nodded and gave a short chuckle. "When she gets that call let's make sure she thinks junkie, not Mayan."

"I can handle it," Angel said proudly.

"No, I'm going with you on this," Bishop said sagely. "It's too personal and someone has to make sure it's solid. I don't want you going down for killing a fed."

Angel nodded, grateful and even almost emotional over the show of support, and got up from his spot. "Think I'm more worried about mi güera loca."