Author's Note: I'm going slowly, slowly. Keeper and Josh are just minor characters, they're just to highlight the danger Verena faces. Enjoy:)

Verena started going through Venetia’s photos methodically. Venetia looked so happy in the photos, something that Verena wanted to preserve. Her baby sister was in danger and Verena was the one who had to destroy her life.

Verena wondered whether she should tell Crass that Venetia was her sister. Maybe he would let Venetia off.

No, Crass would probably kill her personally, like Keeper’s son, Josh. Josh had witnessed Crass killing a rival gang member. Despite Keeper’s repeated pleas, Crass shot Josh in the head and killed Keeper too. Which was how Verena became Crass’ personal assassin.

Putting her head in her hands, Verena started feeling despair crashing onto her. There was nothing she could do to prevent Venetia’s imminent death. Even she herself would die if Crass ever found out his target’s relationship with his assassin. At least death was better than being separated from her beloved sister.

“Sis? Why are you looking at those photos?”

Venetia stood at the doorway, her hand resting on the frame. Verena managed a cheerful smile at her, holding up the photo of her tossing a baby Venetia into the air.

“I can never do this now, right?”

Venetia smiled, her features lit up by the memory of being in her sister’s arms. Walking over, she slid her body into Verena’s arms and rested her head against her.

“You can try again. Except that you’d end up in ER.”

Both sisters started laughing, misery and burdens momentarily forgotten.

“Sis, I love you.”

Verena leaned forward and started rubbing her sister’s head.

“I know, love. I love you too.”

…

Crass sat in his eat, scrutinizing Bosch and Edgar.

“Something weird with Rider? How so?”

Bosch explained his conversation with Verena. Crass leaned back and smiled.

“She can do whatever she wants with that kid.”

“But Keeper…”

“Keeper was different. He had Josh to think about.”

Crass’ lips curled into an unpleasant smile. AT this moment, Bosch knew that he had lost his fight. Bosch grinded his teeth and nodded.

“We’ll be going then.”

Crass did not reply. He was shuffling through documents on his desk, nodding slightly at every few paragraphs. The partners left the room, their disbelief at Crass’ indifference apparent.

Bosch turned to Edgar.

“I’m gonna get that kid for myself, no matter what.”

Edgar nodded silently. Nobody ever denied Bosch his prey.

Let's get Verena into trouble next chap ok? :)