Chapter 2

Francis's house was more than amazing. Two stories, beautiful siding the color of light blue, bright brick along the bottom.  A big garage, wide windows, and he even had a pool (though his yard was kind of small since he lived in a court with other big houses, spaced out evenly.  On the inside though, it was even grander.  Polished marble floors.  Yeah.  Leave it to Francis to have over the top fine marble, the colors mainly black and a sparkling olive.  With leather couches, a huge TV, and tables that were white marble if they weren't glass.  In the kitchen, the counters were plane, a good choice in contrast with the floor.  A stainless steal fridge and stove, it was clear how far he went to make this a beautiful home. And you're damn right Luke and I were going to have a little chat about our dumpy home in comparison to his since Luke is just as rich.

You'd figure it would feel cold inside such a house, but it wasn't.  It was like his parents house in a way.  You could tell he had money but it was comfortable too.  However, he went much farther in showing how loaded he was (money wise), especially with the marble, unlike at his parents.  It strangely fit though, like I said.  Francis wanted the best of everything and it worked; it felt like a home with the pictures of family and Brooke all over, the colorful rugs, the closeness and clutter everything seemed to be.  It was a different contrast - a messy and cluttered appeal in a rich man's home.  

As you probably already figured out, unlike Luke, Francis took advantage of being the son of a rich man.  With a big house, money, and no job.  Don't get me wrong; Francis would be more than willing to work if he needed or wanted to.  However he appreciates the fact that he is given the opportunity to not work and spends all his time with his daughter instead.  He loved being a dad (which was something good that came out of knocking that chick up) and spending his time with Brooke rather than work for money he didn't need.  

The only reason Luke works is because he wants to feel  normal and wants to put in the amount of work every other person does.  He likes what he does, his job as a cop.  At least, he use to.  The reason he's keeping his job now, as far as I knew, was because it helped with evidence and was an advantage to us.

And that evidence, was something I needed to uncover.  That's why I brought the file Luke gave me in my bag when I left the house for Luke to drop me off.  I wanted to look through it while I was watching Brooke - if I had anytime that is. Because right when I got to Francis's house after Luke dropped me off, I felt my heart lighten and the need to actually play with Brooke come to me after she attacked me at the door.

"Albany!" I heard her light scream come from across the house as she knew I was here.  I heard the quick patter of footsteps running, coming closer until I saw her run around the corner from the kitchen and to where I now stood at the entrance, in the living room.  Her blonde hair was up in two pig tails, bouncing with her as she ran around to meet me. 

I felt a smile reach my face when she got to me and threw her arms around me.  it was still strange to me, affection, and I wasn't sure if I would even get use to it fully but I was starting to enjoy it. I hugged her back after slumping down slightly to her height. "Hi, Brooke." Moving back, I looked into her pretty blue and innocent eyes.  "Ready to have fun?"

"Yeah!"

The next moment, I heard someone else coming from around the corner and when Francis came into my sight, I was a little confused.  He had his glasses still on, his hair was clean, clothes neat - or neater than they should have been. However, he held a black bag in his hand.  Walking towards me, he smiled.

"Hey, Albany.  I'm glad you could do this for me.  I feel bad for ma and dad always having to do it."

"Yeah, no problem," I said, kicking off my shoes on the rug and moving in the room more.  Nearing Francis, I looked him over again and he must have seen my confused expression and questioning eyes. 

He turned to Brooke and knelt down next to her, putting his bag down and grasping her small shoulders as he faced her. A nice smile on his face, he said, "Sweetie, why don't you go get that new game I bought you.  You could show it to Albany.  I'm sure she'll want to play with you while I'm gone."

Her face brightened, looking up at me in excitement before looking back to him.  She nodded and he dropped his hands.  In the next minute she was off, moving with excitement towards her room where she was going to get the game.  I realized he said that just so she would leave for a minute to talk to me.

"Why aren't you 'in disguise'?"

He sighed, smile dropping as his thoughts went to the past. "The first time I had a meeting with them, I was getting ready at home to go.  Lost the glasses, greased my hair back,straight and slimy like before, and wore baggy clothes.... But when Brooke saw me after I got ready, she flipped out.  She was scared I was turning back into how I use to be from how I looked - an absent father like I was.  It scared her so now, I need to get ready in the car on the way there." He raised the bag he held, indicating his clothes and everything else he was going to change into was in there.  "I don't want her to see me like that if it scares her that bad."

I raised my eyebrows.  I never thought about that.  Of course, Brooke would flip out if she saw her father dressed in the way he use to - when he was nothing but a loser dad and druggie.  It gave her the impression that if he was dressed like that, he was probably back to being the guy he use to be. So I understood why Francis wouldn't want her to go through that, even if it was a pain to have to get ready like that in his car.

"That's really sweet of you."

He scoffed and looked at me as if offended.  "Well of course it is!  Don't you know I'm the best father around.  Ask my daughter, she knows my teachings."

I laughed and in the next moment, I heard Brooke running back through the house.  She came into my view again, coming up to us as she was carrying a big long rectangular box, nearly half the size as she was. 

"Here it is!  Here's the game daddy got me, Albany!"

Standing before me, she held it out for me to take and with slight confusion, I took the box and looked down at it.  It was a colorful box, all different colors, and different looking characters on it that looked rather strange.  I read the words across the box.  "Uh... Candy Land...?" I asked, confused. I mean, what was this?

She nodded and bit her lower lip.  "We went shopping yesterday and daddy got it for me as an early Christmas present."

I nodded, smiling and happy for her.  But really, it was just confusing.  Board games?  Christmas presents?  I knew what they were but it was all unheard of for me. But I needed to understand this was something normal.  Playing games were normal.  That's why I was excited to babysit her.  Not just for the experience of watching a kid, I would get to play with her.  Pathetic, right?

I saw Francis's smile dim, his knowing look of understanding in my eyes.  He pursed his lips, looking back down at his daughter.  "Okay sweetie, I got to go now.  You be good for Albany, okay?"

She nodded, eyes full with dedication to his words.  I saw his smile grow wide to a large grin before he knelt back down to her height.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged her dad as he did back.  Moving back slightly, he kissed her forehead.  Picking up his bag, he stood back up and faced me again, his smile remaining for me.  Only it turned into a smirk.  "There's money on the table if you need it for anything like ordering pizza or something," he said, moving towards the door.  "I'll be home at around 10 or so. If you could have her in bed by 9:00, that would be great.  Have fun," he said. "Bye, princess!" He turned to her and waved as he walked out the door.

"Bye daddy!"

Once Francis was gone, I walked more into the room with Brooke, setting my bag down on the coffee table and taking off my coat.  I set the game down on the table as well and looked to her, smiling.  "So do you want to do the game first or should I make dinner?"

She squinted her eyes, thinking it over.  "I'm hungry."

Thank god because so was I.  I nodded and we headed towards the kitchen.  "Dinner it is then."

***

After I ordered pizza, we played Candy Land.  It was actually really neat.  I loved it and it was sad at the same time that it was the first time I ever played something like that. After that we played a few more games, like hide and go seek.  I'm ashamed to admit that I felt kind of bummed when she said she wanted to quit to play another game. I'm also ashamed to say that I completely forgot about the file I brought to look through, I was having so much fun.  It wasn't until I put her to bed that I remembered the file. 

I sat in the living room on the couch, going through the file.  I learned it wasn't a heavy file for no reason.  There was a hefty stack of papers and it looked daunting, especially when I planned on reading every page, wanting every last detail.  This would be fun. 

It felt like hours of just going through this.  And I found nothing by the time Francis walked through the door.  Glancing up, I took him in from where the lamp I had on casted a light on him.  Unlike how he was before, his hair was greased back, his clothes baggy and dirty.  He put his glasses back on though because that was simple enough, just putting them back on his face.  However, you could tell he needed to clean up a bit.  I still can't believe he use to look like that, like such a slob, to how he looks now.

"Hey," I greeted him with a smile, setting the file that was in my lap down on the coffee table as I unfolded my legs and sat forward more. 

"Hi," he said and sighed, looking quite tired but he still gave me a smile.  "So how was it?" He asked, walking in the room more, closer to me.

Looking up at him after he was standing before me, I spoke.  "It went really good.  I loved spending time with her.  We had so much fun," I said, smiling.

He nodded and gave me a sweet smile.  "Yeah, she's just great."  He looked over me and the papers on the table.  "What's all this stuff?"

I went on to explain to him what the file was all about.  He was the only one I could really tell about this.  After all, besides Luke, he was the only one that knew the truth about Clare.  It was kind of nice, telling him about everything.  With Luke, there was just so much tension there.  I like knowing I could always talk to someone else about it if I needed to.

 "What did you find so far?" He asked.  "Any sex charges?  She always did kind of creep me out and I had this feeling that in another life, she could have raped someone if not in this one."

I laughed at that and shook my head.  "No, I didn't find anything yet like that but I wouldn't be surprised.  Actually, I haven't found much of anything.  Just that Clare grew up in a small house on the other side of town with her parents.  Not much.  Plus, I didn't get too far yet."

Francis plopped himself down beside me on the couch, sighing after I was done talking. Turning towards him more, I pursed my lips, looking him over.  He looked tired, worn out.  "So how did it go tonight for you. Did you find out anything?"

"Oh..." He pursed his lips, looking ahead of himself at nothing in particular.  "A lot," he said, so nonchalantly it took me a second to understand.

"What?  What happened?"

"I just found out some stuff that... could help I guess.  Remember how they use to do a little dealing here and there?"

I nodded and saw him rest his body back more into the couch, tilting his head back and taking even breaths, a soothing melody.  He closed his eyes as he explained.  "Well, it's now a huge operation.  And I mean huge.  I'll explain more when Luke gets here to pick you up because I'm too tired and too lazy to repeat it twice."

I scoffed.  "Francis, it seems like a big deal."

He chuckled.  "I guess.  But nothing that can't wait until Luke gets here.  Because I smell pizza," he said, standing up and making his way towards the kitchen. It was understandable really.  Francis was clearly drained and didn't seem to be in the best mood as of now to discuss anything relating to the gang. Could you blame the guy after a night of trying to scam the people out of information we use to be a part of?

While he was gone, I looked down at the papers and file under it and put everything back in it.  It was late, I was tired, and after over an hour of reading through this boring shit, I was done.  I knew I'd sit down and read it all some other day.  But this couch just demanded my whole body's attention.  So after I put everything away, I laid out on the couch when I heard Francis come back in the room. My eyes forward, facing the TV as well as the front door off to the side, something else came into my sight.  Setting the pizza box down on the coffee table and the can of beer he brought, I felt Francis move my feet from the couch before he sat down in the place my legs were occupying before.  Sighing, I felt him then rest my legs in his lap so he could sit down too next to where I was laying. Reaching over to the pizza box, he took a slice and began eating as he drank his beer. I continued to lay there, completely comfortable with his couch. It sucked because ours at home was nothing this nice.

"Tired?" I heard him ask from next to me, his mouth full as he chewed. 

"Yeah," I said, sighing.  The next thing I heard came from the TV and I realized Francis turned it on.  Glancing up to him, he set the remote down and resumed eating. 

"When did Luke say he was going to be here?"

I shrugged.  "He said to call him when I'm ready," I said. "I'm ready.  But your couch is too comfortable right now."

His smile for me grew, that smirk his signature mark and his teeth were bright for me.  "Not to mention, the longer you stay, the more jealous he's going to be...."

Groaning, I moved until I was just laying on my back to see him straight on. Raising an eyebrow, I shook my head, not helping the tilt in my lips.  "I'm not staying to make him jealous. How would that even work?"

"Because you are spending time with me. That's what will happen. Can't say I object.  I love fucking with him.  That's what brother's are for," he said, taking another bite of his pizza.  The next second, he threw it back in the pizza box and put his beer down.  Of course, I picked up the beer to finish it off and he gave me a dirty look, one I only could laugh at as I took a sip.

"You think you are so funny, don't you?" He said, lips tilting up as he looked down to where I was laying next to him.

"Oh you know it. Even when I'm tired."

 ***

Me and Francis talked for awhile about nothing in particular and finished off all the pizza that was left. But apparently, we talked like that for way too long.  Because we heard an angry knock come from the door and I had a pretty good idea who it was after looking at the clock, which made my eyes widen.  I didn't realize how late it was now.

Francis and I looked towards the door and before he could get up to get it, Luke opened the door and walked in.  I felt myself grimace, knowing why he had a scowl on his face when he looked to us on the couch.  His eyes had rings under them, clearly tired like we were, but he was pissed off now. Then, when he saw us, he looked even more mad, looking between the both of us until his eyes rested in mine.

"What happened to calling me?" He asked instantly, voice harsh but quiet because he knew Brooke was probably sleeping. 

I looked back up to Francis, who continued to stay relaxed against the couch's back, before looking back to Luke.  I didn't like the tone of his voice but I couldn't blame him; it was my fault because I forgot about the time.  Sitting up, moving my legs from Francis's lap, I sat on the edge of the couch, meeting his eyes more.  "Luke, I'm sorry.  I-I just forgot about the time."

He pursed his lips and though he still didn't look happy, he could see the honesty in my eyes.  Though he was upset, he decided to let it go for right now.  He sighed.  "Well, now you know how late it is," he said in a slightly lighter voice. "We should go though now.  Clare's 'worried' too you know."

I rolled my eyes and gave a humorless chuckle.  Francis was the one to respond to that though.  "Luke man, you just need to shoot that lying bitch," he shook his head.  "She deserves a few bullets to the heart.  Maybe it will shock it back to life." 

 I laughed before looking back to Luke.  "Actually, we can't leave yet," I said, recalling what Francis had said earlier.  How he learned a few things tonight from the gang and wanted to wait to share it with both Luke and I.  "Francis has some news for us."

Luke's eyes grew and the anger was fully off his face now, replaced with pure interest.  He shrugged off his long wool coat before he sat in the chair next to the couch, seeing this could be a while.  Sitting forward, he looked to Francis with raised eyebrows.  "Is everything okay?  What did you find out?"

Francis concentrated on his brother for a moment.  "Have there been any recent drug busts?  Anything relating to smuggling that you know of as a cop?"

Luke thought it over for a minute before he spoke. "Well, I heard of one that happened a few days back.  I wasn't called in for that though.  Other officers took care of it."

"That's them," Francis said, making my eyes widen.  Well fuck.  They dealt and did drugs.  That's all I knew of  before.  But smuggling?  That was very surprising.  It didn't make too much sense to me at first.

"How are they smuggling drugs?  And how did they get involved in that?"

Francis sighed, and looked to me and back to Luke as he spoke.  "I can't be certain yet.  But with what they said, they are doing business with this guy who is big into the smuggling. He's rich - like famous in the drug world as they put it, the dumb fucks - and is paying them a ton of money to transport weed along Lake Erie.   And he isn't just paying them in weed and money, is what they said.  Apparently, this guy has access to 'whatever they want' as they put it.  Now, it sounds like this could be a load of bullshit but they seemed pretty serious about it.  I want to find out more but I think it's a good start," he said, eyes resting back on me and on Luke finally, waiting for a response from either of us.

Finally, I heard Luke release a groan before he finally broke the silence that came to rest between us.  "We have... been investigating around Cleveland and Sandusky because it's been reported that there has been smuggling.  However, we haven't found any evidence to suggest it yet; someone just leaked it to us.  But that's a good start," he said, eyes resting on Francis's and I turned back towards him.

Francis raised his eyebrows, glad to see he was right about the smuggling.  "I don't want to give you the names though," he said instantly and I jumped in, not understanding why he wouldn't.

"Why not?  If the police can bust their asses, they wouldn't end up coming after me right?  Their plan would be done if they are thrown in jail."

Glancing to Luke, he said, "Because it would be a big risk going in and finding nothing.  They hide it well, remember."

"Not to mention," Francis jumped in.  "That if they get arrested tomorrow, they will know I tattled on them since they just told me about what they are up to.  Plus, we don't have all the details yet.  We could find out more and hopefully be able to go after the guy in charge of all this."

"And that's not taking into account that  Francis is spying on them to get information for when they plan to go after you.  If we can't arrest all of them - and we wouldn't be able to - they will not only know Francis was a traitor, we wouldn't have anybody on the inside anymore to find out when they are coming after you."

I sighed.  Yeah, yeah, that was more than enough reasons for me.  I just wanted this to be over - and it hasn't really even started yet!  Clearly it wasn't that easy. After all, that's kind of what happened with Mark.  They went in to arrest him, couldn't find the drugs, then he ran.... It was the reason he came after me.  Though that is already the gangs plan, we would lose the opportunity to get any information on when they attack - which is very important.  Plus, they would probably try to hunt Francis down too.   

"Then what do we do?" I asked.  I think I already had the answer.  Luke confirmed it.

"Nothing," Luke said.  Finding his eyes, I saw he wasn't happy about this either but it was the smartest thing to do. "We need to wait until Francis finds out more about them going after you.  This whole drug thing... it has nothing to do with it. But it could be key with everything depending on just how powerful they have become now."

I nodded, understanding. Looking back to Francis, I saw an expression that was rare to see from him.  But of course, if I was in his position, I'd feel the same.  He had a worried expression and couldn't blame him.  He had a lot of pressure on him.  This was my safety, the possibility of arresting them, keeping up the act.... It was clearly hard for him. His eyes became lost in space, thoughts in their own world. 

I rested my hand on his arm in comfort (which is still strange for me) and got his attention back.  Those hazel eyes finding mine, I spoke to them.  "It's okay.  No pressure.  Just do what you can and whatever happens, I wont hold it against you." Yeah, I didn't care for offering this much comfort, even still.  But he needed it.

 He smiled to me and nodded, happy to get some reassurance.  It wasn't long after that that Francis paid me for babysitting and Luke and I left for the night.  We quickly made our way to Luke's truck (he got a new one after I crashed his other one; it looked the same).  The winter chill nipped at my cheeks and blew my strands of hair that weren't tucked in my bun, the pelting snow not helping with my vision. 

"I'm guessing you wont want to drive tonight?" Luke asked me when we reached his truck.

I scoffed.  "Oh hell no man.  I'll be nice and let you drive tonight," I said, looking for a sign that he still wasn't mad at me for forgetting about the time earlier.  But I didn't need a sign; I could feel it in the air after we got in the truck and started it.  But I don't think that's what was really bothering him now. 

We were silent for the most part on the drive home.  But my thoughts could only be contained for so long without some input to be given or comment.  Thinking about what Francis said, I had a question for him eventually.

"So are you going to at least report what Francis found out?"

"No," he said curtly.  "I could and it would be safer.  But I want to leave it alone for now just in case," he said, his tone a little sharper and I narrowed my eyes at him. Eyes ahead, his hands were tight on the wheel and I could not only feel the tension now, I saw it.

"What's your problem?" I asked.  "I said I was sorry I lost track of time.  I know it's late and stuff but--"

"Are you going to be dating Francis?" He asked, a little louder this time and with a sharper edge to his voice.  His eyes never left the road though and I watched as his jaw slowly began to tighten. And my facial reaction was a little different. 

My jaw dropped.  Where the hell did that come from?  And why? I stared at him for a minute, stunned for a moment before I could operate my words again. 

"What?" was all I managed.

"Are you dating my brother?  Simple question."

"No," I hissed.  "And why is this not the first time you are bringing that up?!  What's your issue with me and him?"

"He's six years older than you and I know at least one of you wants something more than a friendship.  Just know that it's against the law.  He may act like a child but he is an adult."

I was confused now - and more than a little suspicious of his thoughts.  My first thoughts were instant: was he jealous?  A part of me wanted it to be true.  There were signs that said he still wanted me.  But logic stepped up to bat, even if it was hard to trust it.  "What is wrong with you?" I asked, shaking my head and looking out the window into darkness. "I thought you were pushing for something to happen between me and him and now, you're forbidding it?"

"I can change my mind.  I don't like it.  He's my brother, can't you see how that is wrong and creepy? He's six years older than you, Albany; an adult," he reminded me again, as if he had everything in his argument based on that.

I said it before I even thought about it.  "Well you're nine years older than me but did that stop you from kissing me and making feel the complete opposite of a child?  No, it did not!" I said, nearly yelling at him as I dug my eyes into his face, wanting to see his reaction to that! 

And I got one.  His lips parted slightly in a gasp and his eyes finally left the snowy road to meet mine, shocked.  Even more though... I saw an immense amount of emotion.  It was dark out and I could barely see him.  His eyes though seemed brighter than the sun as I saw the memory come back to him and before he could show me anymore of his feelings, he swiftly turned back to the road.  I watched his hands grip the wheel harder and his lips tightened, teeth clenching as he tried holding everything in. 

I regretted what I said immediately for the fact that I didn't mean to bring up something he wanted to forget.  I knew that that memory hurt him for the fact that he wished it never happened, wished he was stronger, and wished he didn't do something so wrong in his eyes.  But his words called for it, in my opinion.  He was being a hypocrite.  However, when he kissed me that one time was spur of the moment and he never actually considered dating me.  It was a crazy thought and he wouldn't tolerate it.  Just like he wasn't tolerating the thought of me and Francis dating.  It's not like I wanted to but what was his issue, going back and forth on the matter? 

The one thing I was thankful for at the moment was how close we were to the house.  Because after I said that, he didn't say one word to me.  Not to be mean I don't think.  I had a feeling he was still trying to come up with something to say to that and he couldn't.  Either way, when we parked in our driveway, I was out of the truck and went straight up to bed, not wanting anymore drama for the night.  Little did I know what was in store for me tomorrow.

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So what do you think about Francis's discovery and the tension between Luke and Albany?  Hope you liked it!