Duncan grimaced.
Okay, so it wasn’t a glowing recommendation, but Mickey was doing his best.
“Fine.” Cold seemed to accept that, but he was still short when he addressed Duncan again. “Did you come straight here from the plant?”
“No, I went by the safe house first. Nobody was there, so I came here. I didn’t know where else to go.” Duncan fidgeted, and he glanced nervously between Cold and the others. “I tried the club too… but… well…”
“We already know.” Cold looked thoughtful, and he was quiet for a long moment.
Duncan looked relieved he didn’t have to be the one to share that exciting news.
“Whatcha wanna do, Boss?” Jules spoke up. “We need to move.”
“Let me think.” Cold reached up and rubbed his forehead. “First, we need to confirm the person at the hospital is Crybaby. Then we need to find out if she is in a stable enough state to move. If she’s still critical, we’re better off leaving her where she is for now.”
“But she’s been arrested!” Roger protested. “And we don’t own all the fuckin’ cops! What about the fuckin’ pigs watching her? What if the Luchesi fucks wanna come finish the job? I’ve seenThe Godfather!”
“I’ll talk to the newly promoted Detective Carville and make sure that she only has very friendly company. I promise you, we’re going to keep her safe.”
Roger seemed to accept Cold’s sincerity, but he continued to pace.
“The rest of you need to stay close,” Cold went on. “No one goes anywhere alone. If you have to leave for any reason, you take someone with you.”
“Are we safe here, Boss?” Pym spoke up.
“Yes. I expect the Luchesi family is targeting our residences by now, but they don’t know about this house.”
“It’s not Alistair’s?”
“Technically, but it’s not in his name.”
“What about Rowena’s teacher?”
“That dummy doesn’t know my real name!” Rowena suddenly replied. She was peeking around the bottom of the stairs again, shark in hand. “We never use my real name ’cause we don’t want the pigs catchin’ wise!”
Cold wordlessly pointed.
“Ugh, fine!” Rowena stomped back upstairs.
“I need to move my grandfather,” Mickey said. “If they’re trying to strike back…” He didn’t want to even finish the thought. “He’s not safe.”
“Go,” Cold said immediately. “Take Duncan with you.” He glanced around the room. “Anyone else?”
Pym and Jules shook their heads, and Jerry said no. Mickey didn’t think any of them had any family unless he counted present company.
“My mom and my kid brother are here,” Roger said worriedly. “Should I… what should I do?”
“Do you have any other family outside of Strassen Springs?” Cold asked.
“An uncle. Somewhere up fuckin’ north.”
“Tell them to go have a little visit. They need to be out of the city as soon as possible. Take Jerry with you and make sure they’re safe. Jules, Pym. Go pick up Crybaby’s partner.”
“She ain’t gonna like it,” Jules warned.
“I don’t care what she likes. She has a sister in Moultrie. Take her there.”
“Any ideas where I can take my grandpa?” Mickey asked. “He still needs to see his nurses and shit. His doctors.” He glanced around the house. “Gonna get a little too crowded here.”
