“I know you’re trying, but that’s what I’m here for—to help. Letmehandle things. Please.” Mitch refrained from reachingout to Pete, although he itched to rest a hand on his arm and still the trembling.
“Listen, it’s harder to recruit new members, and the rivalry between the clubs is increasing. They’re fighting over membership and turf. If Rocky finds out the Brutes had anything to do with Hutchins’s death, there’ll be retaliation.”
“You need to be prepared, then, because his name’s going to be released soon.They’ve been looking for next of kin but haven’t had any luck. And I’m sure his name will make the press. At the moment it’s just an unidentified body.”
“Fuck! Just keep the kid out of the middle of it, okay?”
“The kid?”
“Finn. The one you’re being paid to chauffeur around, to keep an eye on. Just make sure he doesn’t get caught up in it.”
Jesus, Mitch hadn’t thought of him as the kid sincethat first day, since he’d started spending time with him. Finn may have been only twenty-three, compared with Mitch’s twenty-nine, but he didn’t seem much younger. Pete, on the other hand, with his haggard appearance and pallor, looked considerably older than his thirty years.
“I’ll take care of Finn.”
“Thank you.” Pete smiled, and it reached his eyes. In that moment, Mitch knew Pete reallycared for Finn.Like a friend? More?
Pete looked at his watch. “I’ve got to go.”
He moved to turn, and Mitch grabbed his upper arm. “Wait. I need a way of contacting you. I can’t just leave it up to chance. And I need more time, more information.”
“I can’t promise anything. But I’ll send you my number. I’d rather you didn’t call or text, though.”
“Wouldn’t Rocky think it strange that we’reold friends, but we’re not communicating?”
“Fine. Just don’t text anything about the past, or this place, or Rocky, or—”
“You’re not leaving a lot to talk about.”
Pete’s eyes were stony. “Maybe that’s because there isn’t much to say.”Ouch.
“Can you try to catch up with me this weekend? Maybe I could meet you at the pub on Sunday.”
Pete shook his head. “There’s a barbecue thing at Rocky’splace. Everyone will be there, and I’ll be expected. The kid won’t want to come, but maybe you can convince him. If you make it, it’ll be a long afternoon, and Rocky will get hammered. We can probably find some time out of earshot when he lets his guard down.”
Mitch shrugged. It was better than nothing, and beggars couldn’t be choosers. “All right, I’ll see what I can do.”
“I’ve got to go.”
“Listen, Pete. Thank you. I really appreciate what you’re doing.”
“Doing? I’m just answering your questions. I’m not a bad bloke, Mitch, no matter what you think or what happened between us. I’ve made mistakes, big ones, and I wish things were different.”
“I know. I do too.”
“Yeah, well….” He shrugged and walked away, leaving Mitch to ponder how differently he wished things had ended.
