“What did you say?”
“That I needed time alone.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “So, you didn’t do nothing? You wouldn’t lie for me? I came over there looking like Booboo the Fool on purpose. Like I’d just tucked and rolled through all the potholes in Crescent City. Why would you want Momma to see me like that with your dumb ass? You should’ve told Momma that I was working on myself. Bring her casseroles. Do something, damn!”
Oh, so I’m dumb for not understanding his malfunction? And when had he said he needed time alone?Laughter ripped from my lips as I settled back and took another sip. “Funny, I almost had a couple of buddies bringyoudown to the station like they did with Maddy. Have this conversation in a different setting.” I waved my glass around. “Because this whole situation is funny. My soon-to-be wifeagainis at home, warm and soft and waiting for me.” Was it necessary for him to know that she was asleep? Nope. Nah.
“But this right here, Texas, it’s an entire comedy show.” As I waited for him to get over his audacity of feeling betrayed because I hadn’t lied to Momma, I regaled him with how Madison had sat in the interrogation room months ago. I chuckled. “Nico Roman could turn that into an entire segment and run me a couple of dollars.”
“You got jokes.”
“Yep. Jokes for days. Let’s be serious. Momma’s at home crying. If we went the whole interrogation route at the NOPD, they may come up with something that I can’t help you with. That I’d have to recuse myself from.” My innocent palms rose. “Matter of fact, I’m confident I switched from corporate law to juvenile law so I could circumvent this. Whateverthisis … with this nice home and damn good cognac.”
He shifted in his seat, not taking a sip of his drink. Evasion. Classic Texas Falsehood #4. My brother only did that when hewas lying or trying to hide the truth under two hundred pounds of attitude.
I pulled out my phone. “Okay, I’m about to push this address out in a family text message, and I mean not just our brothers. Momma, Auntie Peaches. Are youliving off some geriatric sugar mama?”
Texas mirrored my response, picking up his phone.
Didn’t see that coming. “You calling Momma?”
“Nah, texting an associate to let him know you done breached my cover house. I’m undercover FBI. Congratulations, Wash.”
I shut my eyes, assessing the cognac’s quality. Was this stuff that good? Was it drugged? Because what I heard … “Federal recipient of what service?
“Fool! I’m not on welfare. I’m a special agent with the FBI.”
I laughed so hard my stomach begged for some red beans and rice. My body was saying,Bruh, we’ve exerted enough energy on Maddy, now you wanna laugh too?Have several roast beef po’boys and stop.
Texas retrieved his drink, knocked it back in one go, and sighed. “Bébé,that felt good.”
“What felt good?”
“Telling the truth. I’ve been FBI for years.”
My head tilted, more confused than a golden retriever. “You sure you aren’t a confidential informant after your whole stint in juvey?” I ran a hand over my smooth head. “Texas, you don’t have enough discipline to be a meter maid. Witness Protection seems appropriate with all the bull you’ve pulled. You’re telling me you’re FBI? Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
“Bruh, I’m in deep cover.” He pinched the bridge of his nose as if his lifestyle were giving him a migraine.
“Why did you take my money?”
“You know how much a special agent makes? Besides, I told you it wasn’t necessary. Youinsisted.” He poured us both another round. “This cognac came from a friend I made in the Hamptons working another case. On that one, my team and the ATF confiscated half a bil’ in ammo. Before then, I come and go. You know how y’all haven’t always been able to reach me.”
“It’s been a trend.” Montana hadn’t known that though until recently.
“Quantico first.” He scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “Different missions send me all over. Got a sting op scheduled.”
“You’re doing that?”
“Nah, setting it up.”
I breathed relief. My baby brother had to stay safe.Damn.That meant I trusted what he’d alleged.
“Wash, I engineered this whole setup with a big-time developer. Dude’s gonna make national news by Sunday. But I’m not blowing my cover when the fireworks start. We’re keeping my alias airtight even though it’s my last undercover op.” A tiny, involuntary spark lit his entire face as he chuckled under his breath. “Probably,” he added.
“Maybe one more,” he said. This time he tried to smother a grin with his hand over his jaw. “Yeah. One more op. Then I’m taking a desk job nobody knows about. You feel me?” He glared at me.
“I won’t snitch.” I waved him off, focused on this chameleon’s sparkly layer. “You’re too excited. Is thislastassignment undercover?”
“Yep.” Texas rubbed his palms on his thighs. “Serial killer case. The director wants a New Orleans native for authenticity. I’m considering it.”