“Sure. Just let me go wash up and change.”
“Everything okay, Bailee Anne?”
She smiled. “Yes. I’m fine. I just remembered I need to make a phone call, but I shouldn’t be too long. Then I’m yours for the rest of the day.”
Bailee retreated before her grandmother could question her further. Once she was behind the closed door in her bedroom, she pulled up Corinne’s contact in her phone and dialed her number.
“Bailee, your timing is impeccable.”
Bailee blinked, not expecting her friend to answer with anything but the traditionalhello. “What’s going on?”
“It’s been a free-for-all around here. New players have stepped up to take over the Blood Disciples now that B Diggs is behind bars, and it’s turned into a violent turf war. Local LEOs have been running around trying to keep everything contained, but it’s been chaos. And then this morning, you won’t believe what happened.”
“Don’t leave me in suspense. What happened?”
“B Diggs was shivved in his cell this morning. I just got the call and was about to head out to the prison when you called.”
Shock radiated through her, and Bailee settled on her bed, not trusting her legs to hold her upright. “Is he dead?”
“No, but it’s not looking good. His doctor doesn’t think he’ll survive through the night, but a son-of-a-bitch that mean could surprise everybody.”
“What about Jimmy?”
“He and the rest of the major players are being moved into protective custody. I’m going to assist in the questioning and scene investigation.”
Bailee’s mind whirled. There was a possibility that B Diggs wasn’t targeted, but she had her doubts. “Who ordered the hit?”
“It’s unclear, but with the fight over the BDs’ turf, it could be several people. Everything’s a mess right now. How about you? Are you getting some rest, or are you already wishing you were back in the thick of things?”
“Uh, neither. I’ve kept busy, and as much as I’m ready to put all this behind me, I’m enjoying my time away. I do need a favor though.”
“Anything wrong?”
Bailee sighed. “I don’t know. I’m hoping you can tell me.”
She placed the call on speaker so she could be free to text the photo she took that morning to Corinne. Once it went through, she switched off the speaker and placed the phone to her ear.
“I just sent you a picture. Do you know that guy?”
“Yikes. I know I don’t want to run into him in a dark alley, but as far as knowing who he is, I’ve never seen him before. Why are you asking?”
Bailee explained her encounter with the guy, almost cringing at how silly her reaction seemed once she shared the story out loud. “Look, I know I sound crazy, but I’m in a small town. Everyone literally knows everyone else, and if they don’t, they’ll find out before the end of the day. No one knew this guy, and something about him…I can’t explain it other than my gut says he’s trouble. Considering what’s happened, I wanted to err on the side of caution.”
“The picture’s not the best angle, but I think our software can work with this. I’ll have our techs run it through facial recognition and see if we get any hits. It might take a day or two, but you’ll know when I know.”
“Thanks, Corinne. If you need me back to help with the investigation, just call me. No one knows these assholes better than I do.”
“I may take you up on that, but for now, I want you to stay where you are. I feel better knowing you’re far away from all of this.”
“Yeah, okay, but promise me you’ll be careful. I may have been the one undercover, but you’re the lead on this case. They could come after you just as easily as me.”
“I’m always careful. Take care, Bailee. Gotta go.”
Corinne cut off the call before Bailee could bid her farewell. She stared at her phone for several seconds, processing the intel Corinne shared.
News of B Diggs’ attack was the most shocking. He would never give up power over the Blood Disciples, even from behind bars. Taking out the gang leader was a bold move, one that couldwork in the perpetrator’s favor or put a target on the culprit’s back.
Either way, the shake up from her undercover operation was reaching farther than she anticipated.
