‘Brewster’s letter wasn’t a love note. Straight up the line. You owe. You pay; now.’

‘So why was the letter sent to you and not your partner?’

‘The courier came to the office. Jake wasn’t in, so I signed for it.’

‘And did what with it?’

‘Put it on Jake’s desk.’

‘You said you took it to his apartment to give it to him.’

****

‘I don’t know, Julie. These are tough characters, with very long memories. It might take time, a long time, but eventually they’ll find him. And when they do, they’ll really rough him up.’

He paused, his face showed the pain. ‘They’ll rough him up big time, then finish the job when they think he’s paid the price.’

Julie took Zac’s hand, ‘You can’t be a fugitive all your life.’

****

‘Hello Vinnie. Thanks for coming. I wasn’t sure you would.’

‘Linda told you I’d be here. I’m a man of my word Detective Newman. You should never forget that.’

Unsure of a response, Newman let it slide. ‘Linda said you want to tell me something that might help us wrap up the Collins case.’

‘She told you right, detective.’ He looked a little nervous, ‘when the time comes for a trial and this stuff goes public I want Linda and me to be kept safe.