Chapter 74 (The Mortal Multiverse : Liam Raven Harper)

Chapter 74 - Virgil Sollozzo aka The Turk

3rd Person Pov

The sound of sirens still lingered when Jake and Boyle finally arrived at the scene. 

Jake and Boyle got out of the car, flashing their badges as they pushed through the reporters and curious onlookers. 

Jake’s usual goofy energy was gone and looked sharp and focused, the detective mask firmly on. 

Boyle followed right behind as the beat cops tried to keep people from getting too close to the scene.

Jake crouched beside the bike, eyes narrowing as he examined the bike filled with bullet holes and also the wall where the rest of the bullets hit. 

“Twelve rounds,” he muttered to Boyle. “Short burst. Judging from the spread, whoever shot this was nervous — or just bad.”

Boyle nodded. “Or both. Look at this grouping; they were trying to hit the rider but didn’t track movement. They must have panicked.”

Jake sighed, rubbing his jaw. “Well, our guy’s lucky. These shots could’ve shredded him but somehow he escaped.”

Jake looked around, clearly trying to find Liam, and just then his phone rang. 

He checked the screen, saw Liam’s name, and picked up instantly. “Liam! Where are you?.”

‘’Café across the street. Don’t draw attention.’’ Liam said, in a calm and steady voice. 

Jake glanced toward the café, spotted Liam sitting by the window, and gave a small nod before hanging up. 

A minute later, he and Boyle slipped from the crime scene, keeping it low-key.

When Jake and Boyle entered the café, Liam could tell right away that they were tense. 

The worry was written all over their faces — eyes sharp, shoulders stiff, scanning every corner like they expected Liam to be bleeding.

But the moment they saw him sitting calmly, coffee in hand, the tension eased right off them. 

Liam was seated across from Cross and Ruiz, both of whom looked like they’d walked straight out of a crime scene — which they basically had. 

Liam’s bike was still across the street behind the police tape, and they’d only just gotten here before Jake did.

Jake blinked, then muttered something under his breath to Boyle before both of them started walking towards Liam. He raised my hand coolly, giving them a small wave. ‘’Over here, detectives.’’

They approached the table, still half-wary looking at the other two present sitting across Liam. 

Jake looked at Cross, then to Ruiz, sizing them up like a cop meeting new suspects. Boyle, as usual, was trying to look casual but his curiosity was written all over his face.

“Nice of you to finally show up,” Liam said evenly, setting my cup down. “Grab a seat. You both look like you ran a marathon.”

Jake exhaled through his nose and grabbed a chair “You think maybe we were a little worried? You got shot at, man.”

‘’Relax,’’ I replied with a faint grin. ‘’I’m fine. Coffee first, panic later.’’

Boyle nodded nervously. “I’ll take coffee too. I feel like I’m shaking.”

The waiter came by, and after everyone ordered — chocolate milkshake for Jake, latte for Boyle— Liam made the introductions.

‘’Jake, Boyle — meet Detectives Cross and Officer Ruiz,’’ I said. “We worked together in the Hale’s case.’’

Jake glanced between them. “Ah, the famous Hale case.”

‘’And these two,’’ I continued, looking at Cross and Ruiz, ‘’are Detectives Jake Peralta and Charles Boyle from the NY Nine-Nine. They’re working with me on a current case — something connected to this morning’s little… excitement.’’

Cross gave a polite nod, his tone calm but firm. “Likewise, Detectives. I’ve heard good things about your precinct.” 

Ruiz, on the other hand, just gave a small wave. “Hey.”

Cross turned to Liam with a raised eyebrow. “So that’s who you meant when you said ‘the Ninety-Nine.’”

‘’Yeah,’’ Liam said, sipping his coffee. ‘’They’re reliable.’’

Jake smirked. “Reliable and handsome. Don’t forget handsome.”

Cross gave him a look — somewhere between confused and unimpressed — while Boyle nodded seriously, as if Jake’s statement needed confirmation.

Eve’s voice chimed in Liam’s head, [You sure this is the team you want to vouch for?]

‘They grow on you,’ He replied silently, hiding a faint smirk.

As the drinks arrived, the tension slowly melted away. 

Different precincts, different energies — but the common thread was clear: everyone wanted to know who had the nerve to try and gun Liam down in the middle of New York.

Boyle was the first to say his piece. “Okay, first things first—we need to get Liam into protective custody.”

He said it so seriously it almost made Liam laugh, but controlled it as he shook his head. ‘’That’s not happening.’’

Jake frowned. “Liam, come on—”

Liam cut him off firmly. ‘’If someone has the guts to take a shot at an Assistant District Attorney in broad daylight, then they’ve already crossed the line. Hiding isn’t an option.’’

Cross nodded approvingly as he understood Liam's character a bit more than Jake and Boyle.

Boyle looked half-stressed, half-impressed. Jake leaned forward, his tone more focused now. “You’re right about one thing—this kind of move means whoever’s behind it isn’t small-time. They’ve got backing, money, and probably protection in the right places.”

‘’Exactly,’’ Liam said, resting his elbows on the table. ‘’But this felt like they were testing waters, seeing how far they can go.’’

Jake’s expression shifted. “Yeah… we checked the shot grouping, it’s clear that they sent an armature. Looks like Marco Bellini was telling the truth….. ” He stropped mid-sentence, glanced at Boyle, then at Cross and Ruiz, hesitation written all over his face. “I’ve got some info from our end—stuff Captain Holt got from an ongoing narcotics file. It’s about the Turk. But I’m not sure how much I can share in front of…”

His eyes flicked toward Cross and Ruiz again.

Liam caught the meaning behind it and said ‘’Jake, I trust Cross and Ruiz completely. They’ve got clearance and experience. Besides, the attack happened in their jurisdiction—they’ll be part of this whether we like it or not.’’

Cross gave me a small nod of acknowledgment, while Ruiz simply folded his arms, listening.

‘’Still,’’ Liam continued, ‘’if it’s sensitive info, contact Captain Holt first. Get confirmation. If he agrees, then share it.’’

Jake exhaled and nodded. “Fair enough. Boyle, come on.”

The two detectives got up and stepped out of the café to make the call. As soon as they were out of earshot, Cross leaned back in his chair, eyes on Liam. “You handled that well,” he said.

‘’Just keeping the peace,’’ Liam said with a slight grin. ‘’They’re good cops, just cautious.’’

He nodded once, almost in silent appreciation.

A few minutes later, Jake and Boyle returned. Jake was holding his phone like it was a loaded gun. “Holt gave the green light,” he said, sliding into his seat again. “So here’s what we’ve got.”

“The Turk — real name is Virgil Sollozzo. Origin: Italy. Top narcotics operator there for nearly a decade. The guy’s record is a laundry list of drug trafficking, assassinations, and people disappearing off the face of the map. He has once been arrested and served prison sentences in Italy for murder. He had refused to cooperate with the authorities and served his time. Which meant he honored the omerta and code of silence of the Sicilian Mafia.”

Boyle leaned in."We've got nothing. No confirmed location, no financial trails, no digital footprints in NY. It’s like he’s operating in a vacuum.”

Jake crossed his arms. “And my sources say there’s a new player in the city’s underworld—someone pulling strings behind the scenes. But even they don’t know who. No name, no identity but we suspect it is Virgil Sollozzo aka The Turk.” he finished

The silence stretches for a moment. 

[Looks like you’ve found your ghost,] Eve murmured in Liam’s head.

‘Yeah, And ghosts always leave traces… you just have to know where to look.’

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