Mistaken by J A Howell Read Free Book Online Page A

the other end of the line.
    “You said we’d be safe.” His tone was livid, full of anger when Tony had answered the phone.  His voice was deeper, and raspier than the kid he had met, but he recognized it right away.
    “What are you talking about? What's happened?” There was a sick feeling in his gut. If Alex was calling him, only one thing could have happened.
    “My brother is dead. They killed him.” Alex growled on the other end of the line.  Tony shook his head, stunned and dismayed by the news. He remembered Alex and his brother.  He had met them on what had been the worst day of their lives. They'd lost their mother and were about to be separated forever. He had taken pity on them, and helped them the only way he could think of that wouldn't risk their safety.
    “When did this happen? Are you sure it was them?” Tony asked.
    “No, I'm not sure...but I don't see who else would be capable of it.” Alex answered. “Why didn't they come after me?” His voice broke, agonizing over the last question.  Tony had no answers for him.  He had no idea why after this long anyone would seek them out. Maybe it was an unfortunate coincidence. But it didn’t feel like it.
    “I'm sorry about your brother...” Tony sighed truly disturbed by the news, “I'll see what I can find out. Is it okay to call this number later?”
    “No, tell me when to call you back Luciano...”
    “Give me 3 or 4 days. I need to check with some of my people, do some digging.”
    “I have to go.” Alex whispered suddenly, the phone clicking silent. A knock at the door interrupted Luciano’s thoughts. That had to be his partner, Agent Decker. He scooped up his phone and slipped it into the holster on his belt, before dumping out the mug of coffee that had gone cold.
    “Everything okay Luciano?” Agent Decker looked at his partner as the front door swung open.
    “Huh? Oh yeah... I'm still waking up, sorry.”  He mumbled in reply as he locked the door. Decker nodded, but wasn't buying his partners excuse.  They headed out to the black sedan parked in front of Agent Luciano’s building, Decker suspiciously watching his partner. Something was bothering him; they'd been partners over 14 years, and Luciano couldn't fool him.
    “You're unusually quiet this morning. You sure you don't want to talk about it?” Decker glanced over at his partner as they pulled onto the highway.  Luciano furrowed his brows as he stared out of the passenger window, still contemplating the earlier phone conversation.
    “I was just thinking about the De La Rocha bust,” He said, his eyes still on the passing buildings and signs.
    “What brought that up?” Decker raised an eyebrow, glancing over at his partner.
    “Oh nothing...was just thinking. There hasn't been any recent activity with the family, has there?” Luciano side-stepped his question.
    “Not that I know of,” Decker scratched his chin thoughtfully, “Carlos De La Rocha was released a year ago though. He was captured in the bust, but not linked to any other activities, so he only got 10 years.”
    “I didn't realize that...but no other activity from them otherwise?”
    “Like I said, not that I know of...why are you so concerned with them?” Decker was more insistent. He knew his partner was dancing around something, bringing up an old case out of nowhere like this.
    “You remember the kid we'd picked up?”
    “Yeah... that was the easiest interrogation ever.” Decker laughed, “That kid was a scared little bunny. He rolled over real quick.” Luciano remained stoic, unamused with his partner's comments.
    “Yes, that kid...I found out his brother was murdered last year.” He sighed.
    “Really? His brother?” Decker sounded surprised.
    “Yeah... I'm not sure if it's related though.” Luciano shook his head. “Either way, it's a damn shame.”
    “Probably just dumb luck is all...” Decker shrugged his broad shoulders, “How did you find out about his brother though, did he