Chapter 71

Chapter 71
Deacon

“Why would your father be defending some poor criminal kid??” I said, shocked and confused by what Ryker was saying. His father was the devil incarnate. He didn't care about anyone. Ever. Especially not some low class kid from the bad side of town with an accent. That made no sense to either of us. Andrew even started to chuckle, not realizing that Ryker was serious. He thought it was some kind of joke to break the tension. “No way!” Andrew said, looking from me to Ryker after looking at the report. We both started to really stare at Ryker then. He knew and we knew he would have to go ask his father about Matteo. “Fuck no.” was the response we got from the stares, no words needed. “I am not doing it fuckheads. You want information from that sociopathic fuck; guess you are my top two detectives on the case.” Andrew laughed loudly. No more chuckles. “Last time I had a run in with old daddy Lorcane, He almost broke my jaw.” I remember that. Andrew was walking Ryk out of the courthouse after what was a hard case and Mr. Lorcane tried to stop them. He wanted to give him pointers on what he was doing wrong. Andew stepped in front of him and politely told him to “fuck off” and Mr. Lorcane swung on him, striking him right in the jaw. Andew could have beaten him to death, but they were on the statehouse stairs, and he had to keep Ryker from killing him. We wanted to keep his reputation intact.  

Ryker, Andrew, and I all had a short laugh. A short interlude to the shock of knowing Mr. Lorcane had maybe known this new leader of the Punisher Crew. “Do you think your father could have his hands in Sex trafficking?” I asked, looking from Ryker to Andrew to see both reactions. Andrew seemed like he was unsure, but Ryker just stared through me, shrugging his shoulders. “Maybe.” He mumbled while fixating back on the files. Ryker’s tension lingered in the room like a storm cloud, heavy and unrelenting, the weight of his father’s involvement pressing down on all of us. I resumed my focus on the files, my fingers tapping an anxious rhythm against the desk, while Andrew leaned back with a guarded expression, his laughter fading as the gravity of the situation settled over us. The realization that the threads of this twisted web extended further than anticipated only deepened the unease, yet determination flickered in Ryker’s eyes—a resolve to confront whatever darkness lay ahead. The hum of the monitors filled the space, their glow casting shifting shadows across faces marked by years of service to the Lorcane name, and as the tension coiled tighter, it became clear that this wasn’t just another mission. This was personal—deeply, unforgivingly personal. And though the storm raged within and around us, one certainty remained unshaken: we would face it together, no matter what the cost.  

“We have to go talk to him.” Iris said looking at Ryker. She obviously did not understand the distance between Ryker and his father. The past. The destruction. The pain the man had caused him his entire life. “Fuck no.” Ryker said sharply instantly looking up when he realized who he snapped on. “Oh Babygirl, I am sorry. I don’t speak with my father.” She rolled her eyes at him. I would have to admit that gave me a bit of amusement. “Ryker, we have to know everything about this fucking Matteo person, right?” He knew she was right, but I knew Ryker and he wouldn’t go talk to his father. He tried to explain to her that he refused to speak with the man, but she didn’t want to let it go. She looked to me for help, and she looked for Andrew. Both of us knew there wasn't anything she could say. It just wasn't something he would never budge on.  

The room grew heavier with the silence that followed Ryker's refusal, the weight of his past and the venomous ties to his father casting long shadows over the team. Iris, though visibly frustrated, didn't seem to press further, her determination momentarily tempered I would hope by understanding. Ryker’s gaze hardened, shifting to the files sprawled across the table, where the tangled web of the Punisher Crew and Matteo’s enigmatic ascent awaited unraveling. I leaned forward, my voice cutting through the oppressive quiet. “We’ll find another way to get the answers we need,” I said, his tone intended to be comforting, supportive, grounding the fractured moment. Iris nodded, her spirit rekindled as she exchanged a glance with Ryker, unspoken promises passing between them like threads binding their fates. The monitors hummed softly, whispering of hidden truths still buried deep, as the team rose to face the storm ahead, each carrying the weight of their own scars yet united by the shared purpose to uncover the darkness that threatened to consume them all. 

“I think it is time to eat.” Iris said, dramatically rubbing her stomach. Ryker smiled at her. “You hungry my sweet lady?” It amazed me still to watch the way she could disarm him, bring Lorcane down to the surface, almost calming his demons instantly. She nodded looking at him like he was the only man on the planet. “Yes, please.” He got up and reached for her hand, walking her to the door. “We will go have some lunch. You all should take a break, eat something. We will get back at it this evening.” he took a breath and turned to look directly at me, “that means you too, Deac.” Iris pointed at me in an effort to back up his order. “You heard the boss, D” Her words warmed my heart and for a moment I could understand the power she had over him. As they walked out the door that led to the house, I heard Iris yell something from outside. Within moments she was walking back into the security room. She walked straight to me. “He doesn’t want to go talk to Mr. Lorcane, that’s fine. I will. Get the paperwork together, copies, and I will take them and confront him for knowing this man. Maybe he even hired them to go after Ryker, but we all need to know.” I started to disagree with her, but I could tell it was pointless. Tomorrow, while he is in his office, you or Andrew will take me to see him. I will tell Ryker, myself.” She picked up her phone from the table and walked back to the door. When she opened the door, she put on a smile, “I got my phone.” She giggled, “I’m coming.” In that moment, more than ever, I saw her. I saw the Flower.