“You’re sure?” My head seemed filled with cotton, my thoughts sluggish. I struggled to process that it was over. My terrified need to protect Vivi was done. Gone in a blink. “Vivian’s safe?” I hadn’t realized how much I was still holding on to those feelings.
“She is. I promise, Lennon. These guys won’t be able to wiggle out of these charges. There were witnesses. It seems they became more and more brazen. Maybe because they weren’t caught when they assaulted you and Ms. Lee or maybe they just wanted to escalate the violence. In some ways, the reasons don’t matter; they were caught, and there are multiple witnesses plus the video evidence. They’re not going to be able to hurt and terrorize innocent citizens again.”
“Thank you,” I said. I blew out a long breath.
“You’re welcome. I wish it could have been sooner, but these are the reasons I continue to do my job.”
I smiled, already planning to send Detective Ahmed a huge thank-you basket and tickets to the next game we played in Detroit. It would be a couple-hours’ drive for him, but I had no doubt he’d make it. “Thank you for continuing to work on the case. I can’t tell you how relieved I am.”
“I figured you would be. I know that was a terrifying experience. For the record, you handled it better than most.” He raised his eyebrows and looked at each of us. “You ready to see the lineup?”
Vivian
I clutched Lennon’s hand and hugged his thick forearm to my chest as we stared at the six men standing on the other side of the glass. My breathing stuttered, but I kept it together. Lennon’s muscles clenched tighter and tighter. I rubbed my thumb along his palm and slowly, his tension receded.
“Anyone look familiar?” Detective Ahmed asked.
“Yes,” I said as strongly as I could. I needed to take the lead on this one. Lennon was capable and alpha most of the time, but in this case the traumatic brain injury and hallucination were more real to him than the actual event itself. And I never wanted him to feel less than—especially for something outside his control.
“That one,” I said. My finger remained steady. “And that one.”
“Lennon?” Detective Ahmed asked after he’d noted my response.
Lennon blew out a breath. “Those two for sure, but can you have them speak?”
“Sure,” Detective Ahmed said. He pressed the intercom and asked each man in the lineup to come forward and repeat a nursery rhyme.
When the third man in line spoke, Lennon’s body went rigid. “Him. He was the one who cut me.”
“You’re sure?” Detective Ahmed asked.
“Positive.”
A few more spoke, and then Lennon shuddered. “And he’s the spokesman. The one…”
I leaned tighter against his side. He steadied, and his breathing returned to normal.
“Can I talk to him?” Lennon asked. His muscles were so tight, I worried he’d pop.
“Through the glass or in a detainment room?” Detective Ahmed asked.
“Here. Like this.”
Pride swelled in my chest as he took charge of his fear.
“Go ahead,” the detective said.
“Number Six, did you speak to Lennon Cruz after your companion cut him with the knife?”
The man’s eyes darted back and forth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Before the police arrived. Did you speak to the man you assaulted when he was on the ground?”
“No way. I didn’t do nothing.” He was sullen, his eyes dark and empty.
“You’re sure you didn’t threaten his girlfriend?” Lennon pressed.
“Nuh-uh. I didn’t do nothing like that. I…I…it was an easy score, see? We just needed the money. I didn’t threaten the woman. That was Anthony. He did that!” He pointed to the first man I’d recognized.
