Augustus dropped his hand to his side, fingers curling into a tight fist. “This isn’t over,” he promised.
“Far from it,” Cold agreed with a nasty smirk.
“I’d be well within my right to hold them both in police custody as witnesses,” Augustus snapped. “I could keep them. Indefinitely.”
“Actually,” Jimmy piped up, eyes narrowing, “if you’re referring to the United States Code Title 18, section 3144? The, uh, material witness statute? Sorry. That doesn’t apply here, Augustus. First of all, since Dario and I didn’t see anything, our testimony hardly makes us material to the case. Secondly? You can only enforce police custody once you’ve proven that you have reason to believe you can’t ensure a witness’ presence in court by subpoena. Both Dario and I live here in the city, we’re both gainfully employed, and we’ve given you no indication that we would flee. You’d never get a judge to believe that either of us are a flight risk.”
Augustus’ jaw dropped.
Cold had never looked so proud.
“Trying to hold us would be unconstitutional,” Jimmy went on, holding his head up high. “Something else I’m sure the nice people down at Strassen Springs News would love to hear all about.”
“Fuckin’ suck it!” Maury cheered.
Augustus clicked his teeth together, glowering as he snapped, “Fine. This is how you wanna be, fine. You’ve made your bed, now you’re gonna have to sleep in it.”
“Oh, trust me,” Cold said maliciously, “he sleeps in my bed just fine.”
Augustus’ hand twitched as if he was going to reach for his gun again. He turned around, stalking wordlessly toward the door.
“Have a lovely afternoon, Detective,” Cold chuckled, watching Augustus storm off. His eyes moved back to Jimmy. “That... was impressive.”
“Thanks,” Jimmy said shyly, certain that his head was about to pop off from the massive jolt to his ego.
Cold moved back to the bedside, gently touching Jimmy’s cheek. “You continue to surprise me, Mr. Poe.”
Jimmy blushed, leaning into Cold’s palm.
“Hey, you,” Maury sniped. “Mister Cold, sir?”
Cold frowned, turning his head to look at Maury.
“I say ‘sir’ outta the respect you’re due. But uh, yous and I gotta have a little chat,” Maury said, his bushy brows scrunching up.
“Do we now?” Cold seemed amused.
“Yeah, we sure fuckin’ do,” Maury said, about to open that big mouth of his and certainly get himself into a whole heap of trouble.
But then there was yet another flurry of activity out in the hall, the Gentlemen all cheerfully greeting a rushing blur of heels and glitter, a female voice snapping, “Where the fuck is he?”
Rowena Legrand was at the door now, her face red from crying, hands over her heart as she squealed, “Oh, my God! I was so worried! I heard you had been shot, and, and, my fuckin’ God! Look at you, you poor thing!”
Jimmy sighed, smiling gently. “I’m okay, really! Just a scratch!”
Rowena came bounding across the room, sniffling, “I was worried fuckin’ sick!”
“Seriously, I’m fine!” Jimmy insisted, blinking in surprise as Rowena went right by him and crawled into bed beside Dario.
No one looked more stunned than Dario himself, wrapping his good arm around Rowena’s shoulders, soothing, “Hey, come on now. I’m all right.”
“You saved Jimmy’s life,” Rowena cooed, running her long nails through Dario’s hair. “You’re a hero, Dary.”
“Big damn hero,” Dario agreed, grinning dopily. He looked as if he had died and gone to heaven, save for knowing Cold was right there glaring at him.
Cold did not look particularly pleased with his sister fawning all over Dario, but said nothing to them. He looked back to Jimmy, asking, “Ready to go home?”
“Home? You mean your house?” Jimmy clarified.
