Chapter 10 - THE UNHOLY ALLIANCE
By noon the following day, the sun failed to break through the thick blanket of fog hanging over the Boston Harbor.
News of the shootout at the Ashford residence had been completely buried by Gabriel's media network, reported merely as a "transformer explosion and private security drill." But in the underbelly of the city, the shockwaves were deafening.
In a secluded boat house along the Mystic River, Gabriel stood before a long metal table. Beside him stood Marco and two heavy hitters from the South End docks.
Across the table sat an unexpected figure.
Captain Thomas Callahan—Head of the Internal Affairs Division of the Boston Police Department.
"You're out of your mind, Ashford," Callahan spat, tossing a manila folder onto the table. "You turned Beacon Hill into a war zone last night. The Commissioner is under immense pressure from the Mayor's office to bring federal armor into your territory."
"The Mayor takes two hundred thousand a year from my shipping logistics firm, Captain," Gabriel replied smoothly, pouring two fingers of bourbon into a crystal glass. "He won't call the Feds unless I tell him to."
"Moretti isn't backing down," Callahan warned, leaning in. "He’s pulled in contract shooters from New York. And worse... he’s using your ex-employee's dirty cop ex-husband as his point man."
Gabriel’s hand froze around his glass. His amber eyes snapped to Callahan, dangerous and sharp.
"Derek Lawson?" Gabriel asked, his voice dropping an octave.
"Lawson is desperate," Callahan explained. "After you forced him to sign those divorce papers and stripped his badge with that wiretap, he had nowhere to go. Moretti offered him a million dollars and protection if he uses his knowledge of the 12th Precinct's tactical layouts to help Moretti’s men strike your safehouses."
A dark, lethal smile slowly spread across Gabriel’s face. "Derek Lawson thinks he’s hunting me."
"He knows about the girl, Gabriel," Callahan said grimly. "Lawson told Moretti that Harper Vance is the only reason you're sloppy right now. They're planning to lure you out using her."
May you like
Gabriel set his glass down on the table with a soft, decisive clink.
"They don't have to lure me out," Gabriel said calmly, looking at Marco. "We are going to give Derek Lawson exactly what he wants. A meeting."
