Lights Out
by Navessa Allen
Contents
18. Josh
Overview
Summary
Josh and Aly arrive at her Uncle Nico's villa, surprised at how easily they're admitted past the gatehouse. Worried about being recognized—particularly because of his father—Josh dons glasses and a fake mustache as a disguise. Nico, an unimposing older man in a bathrobe, greets them and ushers them into an opulent kitchen, mocking Josh as ‘Porno Joe.'
Aly bluntly announces they killed someone, and Nico erupts, fearing federal surveillance. He summons his sons—Greg, Stefan, Alec, and Junior. Greg is dispatched to impersonate Josh and drive Aly and the body to a mob-run autobody shop for cleanup, while Josh stays behind. Josh insists Greg apologize for snapping at Aly and warns him to keep her safe before they part.
Alone with Nico and his sons, Josh recounts Brad Bluhm's attempted attack and the accidental killing. Nico dispatches crews to retrieve Brad's car and scrub Aly's house. When Josh worries Brad's computer could lead police to Aly, Junior plans a smash-and-grab, but Josh volunteers to come along and hack the drive cleanly. Nico agrees, apparently pleased Josh passed some test.
Forty minutes later, Josh rides with Junior and several enforcers in a power-company van toward Brad's house. He texts Aly playfully, confirms with Tyler that Aly can stay at their place with Fred, and reflects on still needing to tell Aly about his father. Tyler offers support.
As they approach Brad's residence, driver Vinny panics—cops are already on scene. Junior puts a gun to Vinny to slow him down, then turns the weapon on Josh, demanding he explain how police arrived so fast and accusing him of slipping up.
Who Appears
- JoshAly's new boyfriend; dons disguise, faces Nico's family, volunteers to hack Brad's computer, ends up at gunpoint.
- Aly (Alyssa Cappellucci)Josh's girlfriend; bluntly tells Nico about the body, separated from Josh and sent with Greg to dispose of it.
- Uncle NicoAly's mob-connected uncle; furious about the body but mobilizes his sons to handle cleanup, car retrieval, and Brad's house.
- GregAly's youngest cousin; impersonates Josh and drives Aly to a mob autobody shop to dispose of Brad's body.
- JuniorNico's hard-eyed eldest son; leads the crew to Brad's house, pulls a gun on driver and then on Josh when cops appear.
- VinnyVan driver with outstanding warrants; panics on seeing cops at Brad's house, nearly speeds past suspiciously.
- TylerJosh's roommate and Aly's ex; supportive of their relationship, agrees Aly can stay over with her cat.
- Brad BluhmThe dead rapist in the trunk; subject of the cleanup operation targeting his car, phone, and computer.