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“Elio. Perhaps this search today was about Elio? Maybe it’s not even related to the other tips we’ve been getting. Everything could be connected, or nothing could be connected. You see the problem, right?” Even as I say that, I think about the missing tapes, which suggests Lazaro’s disappearance is related to him and not retaliation against Elio.
“Okay. So, what next?”
I down my drink and grab another one. When I return, Lana is eyeing me. She knows something is up.
“I followed up on your lead.”
“The one the cops failed to look into?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“And?”
“And there’s nothing in the report.”
“Why would there be if they didn’t follow up?”
“Because they did follow up. Or maybe it wasn’t a follow-up. Maybe it was planned.”
She studies me like she’s trying to decipher what I’m saying.
Hell, I don’t know what I’m saying. “Cops, or men pretending to be cops, questioned her and took the surveillance tapes.”
Her reaction is immediate. Anger and a fierce, deadly look in her eyes. It’s never occurred to me that Lana could have killed people as others in organized crime have. But right now, I can see that she’s capable.
“Cops took Lazaro?”
“I don’t know that?—”
“But after yesterday, you think it’s possible?”
I shrug. “Like I said, it could be or not. Lazaro disappeared three years ago, so why hassle you now? Especially since you’re under the belief that Rinella is behind the calls?” I make a mental note that the goon cops could be working for Rinella.
She shakes her head. “You’re still not telling me everything, Henry.”
“I don’t know everything,” I snap back more harshly than I want. Already, I’ve told her more than I should. How is it that in trying to help her, I feel like I’m betraying my work?
The tension builds between us. "I can't give you specifics. It's an ongoing investigation, and I need to be careful about what I reveal."
Her expression hardens, eyes narrowing. "Are you kidding me? You drag me over here, tell me cops might be involved in my brother's disappearance, and then clam up?"
"Lana, I?—"
She cuts me off, her voice rising. "Why even mention it if you're not going to tell me anything? Do you have any idea what this means to me?"
“Of course I do. That's why I told you what I could. I'm trying to keep you in the loop without compromising the investigation."
“Compromise?” She rises from the couch, looking offended. “What do you think I’m going to do?”
Before I can respond, she holds a hand up to stop me. “Just when I think I can trust you. When I think you trust me…” She sucks in a breath like she’s trying not to slap me. “Do you enjoy toying with me?”
“No. I'm trying to do my job and help you at the same time. It's not that simple. It’s not any more simple than your spending time helping me on the case while hiding it from your brother, as I’m sure you’re doing. We’re on a tightrope here, Lana.”
“Shows what you know. Elio is aware that I’ve been talking to you.”
I swallow, wondering if I need to be worried about that. Does he know what else I’ve been doing with Lana?
I take a deep breath, trying to rein in my frustration. This isn't how I wanted this conversation to go. I reach out, gently grasping Lana's arms. “I told you what I could because I'm worried about your safety."
