Raindrops pounded like a reign of bullets against the rooftop that dreary morning. Lani prepared herself a piping hot cup of coffee, taking a cautious sip after blowing on the steam. Dad’s reluctant confession last night remained fresh on her mind, and she still struggled to wrap her mind around it. Why would he do such a thing again?

Maybe it was just his gut-instinct to protect them that made him make unwise decisions. Or maybe he just trusted the cop more than the gangsters. Lani wasn’t sure if either were reliable, honestly.

She didn’t recognize the detective’s name, so she’d spent the night researching him online. Dad claimed he was close to Mom, yet she never mentioned him to her, but Lani remembered how she always tried to keep her work life away from them.

Unfortunately, her results came up zilch, but that wasn’t too shocking for a cop who stayed undercover. Lani suspected he didn’t have a family of his own either, but she could be wrong. Part of her wondered if the guy really was a detective. Did he provide her father any real evidence that they worked together on the police force? Surely he wasn’t naive enough to just take his word for it.

Lani hated to think her dad lied again, so she tried to consider the possibility that the alleged detective fabricated that nonsense to her father. Maybe the guy was actually a gangster? She groaned. It would be too obvious if she went down to the station, asking for Detective Wolfe by name, but maybe she could have someone else help her out.

After she put her plan into action, she called Audrey to see if she was busy. Thankfully, she was actually awake and answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Hey, I need your help. I want to find out more about this detective my dad mentioned.” She kept her voice low, ensuring he wasn’t listening to her scheme with her girlfriend. “I’m afraid they’d recognize me there, but if you went in with me, I doubt they’d be as suspicious.”

“Well, I could. I won’t get in trouble, will I?” Audrey’s worries came through the other line clearly.

“Not with the story I’ve come up with. And if they get hateful, you can always leave. I’ll make sure they don’t do anything. They remember my mom and know our family.”

Audrey snorted. “Yeah, love, I doubt you’d be able to take down an entire police force.”

“For you, I’d try it anyway.” Lani grinned.

“I know you would. Gimme a couple minutes and I’ll meet you at your house. You probably want to take my car too, yeah?” Audrey suggested.

“ Yeah, we’ll take your car. Send me a text when you get here, okay?”

“I will. Love you and see you soon.”

“Love you too.”

Lani sprung from the dining room table as if she were on a caffeine high while she concocted a story in her head for Audrey to tell the police. If Scott Wolfe was a genuine cop, then she might even meet him in person but if they told her no such officer worked at their precinct, then Lani knew it was likely her father was being played.

However, it was possible they wouldn’t divulge anything about an undercover cop. Lani paced the living room as her mind worked on overdrive. Her father’s story sounded so sketchy, yet it seemed like something he’d do if it meant keeping her safe.

Their father always put his kids above everything else. No matter what. But Lani realized how easy it could be to manipulate his love against him as well. Especially if the gangs were involved.

Upon hearing her girlfriend’s car pull up the driveway, she slipped on her coat and shoes before stepping out into the pouring rain. She dashed across the lawn, plummeting into the warm passenger seat as she shook raindrops from her soggy self.

“Look what the cat dragged in.” Audrey teased as she reversed out of the driveway.

Lani smiled, brushing loose strands of crimson hair from her eyes. “Storm’s worse than I thought it’d be.”

Audrey nodded, then asked, “So, what’s your brilliant plan here? You said you’ve got a story, right?”

“You might not like it.” Lani awkwardly fiddled with her hands in her lap. “Lying to the police is wrong and can be considered a crime, but I don’t think they’ll take this seriously. We’ll say some gangsters jostled you when you left our bakery this morning. Almost knocked you to the ground. But they didn’t steal anything or attempt to hurt you in any other way.”

“Alright.” Audrey grinned. “Let’s do this. And hopefully not get arrested for falsifying a crime.”

Despite how Lani assured her girlfriend everything would be perfectly fine, doubts clouded her mind. What if they learned that the detective wasn’t real? Or suspect they’re involved with something shady?

On the drive to the police station, Lani went over her fabricated story in her head just to make sure she had everything straight. She couldn’t afford to slip up and make them suspicious.

Why did her dad keep getting himself roped into such dangerous things?

Once they arrived at the police station, they climbed out and made their way up the concrete steps. Crisp gold and red leaves swept around their feet with each step. Nerves squirmed in the pit of Lani’s chest upon yanking the door open, walking past two police officers clad in their uniforms. She was grateful to have Audrey by her side.

A receptionist greeted them at the desk, prompting them to wait for an office to come take their statements. Lani gazed around the room. Could any of them be the alleged detective that her dad encountered? Deep down in her heart, she knew Detective Wolfe didn’t exist. But she had to be sure.

Unable to wait any longer, Lani burst out, “Can we see the officer we spoke to earlier? I think his name was Scott Wolfe.”

The receptionist tilted her head, frowning. “Wolfe? Are you sure he’s an officer here? I don’t recognize the name. Wait right here. Let me find someone who might be able to help you.”

Heart pounding in her throat, Lani cast a worrisome look at her girlfriend. When the receptionist was out of earshot, she whispered, “This ain’t good. I don’t think he’s real. Who the hell’s my dad been messing with?”

“I don’t know.” Audrey shrugged. “Why would he trust him? Maybe your mom really did know the guy?”

“Maybe.” Lani nodded.

Soon enough, the receptionist brought a familiar detective with her. Upon spotting the cowboy hat and stern glare, dread sunk in Lani’s chest. Detective Lindel. Of course she had to bring him.

“Heard y’all was asking about Detective Wolfe.” He gave Lani a suspicious lookover. “He’s been dead for about six years now, so unless ya reported this to a ghost, you better tell me what’s going on.”

Color drained from Lani’s face. “I-I found some old papers of my mom’s with his name in them. Wanted to learn more about the guy, that’s all. See if he still works here.”

“By reporting a false crime?” Detective Lindel frowned. “Which is illegal, might I add, but surely you know that.”

“I wanted to know if she was cheating on my dad.” The lies spewed out effortlessly, but the detective didn’t seem too convinced. “They just seemed close, that’s all. It’s weird to even think about now…”

“Look, I don’t know what you two are up to but I’m gonna stop ya right there.” Detective Lindel rubbed his temple. “Your momma was not having an affair with Scotty Wolfe, who was pushing sixty and happily married. Why you’re asking about him, I’m not sure, but obviously you don’t know much if you didn’t know he was dead. My advice is to quit digging into things that don’t concern you.”

Lani dropped her head in shame, cheeks reddening at her mistakes. “I’m sorry.”

“If you were anyone else, I’d have hauled your ass into an interrogation room and considered pressing charges. But I worked with your momma and know you ain’t a troublemaker. Yet. So let’s keep it that way, yeah?”

“Of course.” Lani nodded.

He gave her exactly what she needed to know. Whoever her father was helping, it wasn’t the detective he claimed. They didn’t even need her fabricated story, but to be fair, it was silly to think it would’ve worked.

Once outside the police station, Audrey gently touched her arm. “Hey, are you alright?”

“I guess,” Lani murmured. “I just can’t believe he’s doing this shit again.” She curled her fists at her sides, resisting the urge to scream. “Why would he believe this guy? All he had to do was check with the cops to see if he was legit or do something like we just did. How difficult would that be?”

Audrey unlocked the doors to her car, frowning. “Maybe he lied to you? What if there’s something else going on?”

“Like what?” Lani plopped herself down in the passenger seat, sizzling with rage.

“I don’t know. Just spitballing here,” Audrey said as she started the ignition, reversing out of the lot.

“It’s not like this is the first time he’s acting irrational on account of one of us. But to believe the word of a fake detective?” Lani shook her head. “I almost wish we’d uncovered his drug habit.”

“That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?” Audrey’s expression softened, brows dipping in concern.

“Yeah, I shouldn’t have said it. I’m just losing my shit over this.” Lani raked her hand through her hair, sighing. “I’ll have to talk with him again. Hopefully, I can get the truth this time.”

Lani needed answers. She knew exactly who could help her, but she dreaded even considering it. Maybe there was another way. Another source. Could August possibly have knowledge about a gangster masquerading as a dead cop? If not, she’d have to seek out that damned blond devil.