Clint stepped forward, and the man retreated slightly. “That’smyfucking business,” Clint snarled. “If you know, you’d best fucking tell me.”
Glancing at the two younger men behind him, the man snapped his fingers, and they came forward. “You saw them.”
The one in a black hoodie nodded. “It was Lazarus’s men.”
Lazarus.Clint narrowed his eyes. “Why would Lazarus bother with some street dealers?”
“We were doing business with a couple of his guys,” the hoodie kid said. He shrugged. “Things went bad.”
“What’re their names?” Clint asked. “Lazarus’s men.”
“Chaz and Helio,” the younger man said.
“Which one pulled the trigger?”
The hoodie kid shook his head. “I don’t know. It happened too fast.”
Clint nodded and turned back toward the hospital.
“So… we good, cowboy?” the older man called after him.
Halting, Clint drawled, “You peddle drugs to kids. We will never be fuckinggood.If I ever see you or your boys inmyneighborhood…” He twisted his head and looked the man in the face. “… you’ll be praying all you get is a fuckingbullet.”
CHAPTER 6
“Where can we find Connor Healy?”
Devlin and Axel heard the man’s question simultaneously, echoing from down the corridor toward the nurse’s station. They both looked that way and saw two officers at the counter. Axel felt relief flood in, but also a flicker of doubt. Were the officers there to protect the kid or to arrest him?
Axel looked anxiously at Devlin, who seemed equally uncertain. The nurse pointed toward Devlin, and the two cops turned and headed their way. Axel’s gut knotted until his stomach cramped. They didn’t look friendly, and that worried him.
“Officers,” Devlin said cordially when the men approached. “How can I help you?”
“We need to speak with Mr. Healy,” the older officer said. He seemed to be in his forties, with a crewcut, square jaw, broad shoulders, and a boxy build. Axel guessed he looked ex-military, but it might have just been the crewcut. The younger officer, in his early thirties, was a few inches shorter than Axel but stockier, especially in the arms, with rounded biceps that strained his uniform sleeves. He also had a crewcut, though his hair was slightly longer on top and darker than his partner’s light blond hair.
“He’s in here,” Devlin said, pointing to the exam room. He stayed outside the curtain, blocking their path into the room. “The kid is recovering from shock. He needs to remain calm while his blood pressure comes down. Would you mind waiting a while before speaking with him?”
“I’m sorry,” the older cop said, “but this is important. We need to speak to him now.”
Axel looked uneasily at the agitated father, who continued pacing the corridor. His attention was drawn to the officers, and that worried Axel. Devlin shared his concern.
“May I speak to you gentlemen in private for a moment?” Devlin asked.
“Why?”
“I’ll tell you in private,” Devlin said, lowering his voice. “It concerns Mr. Healy and his… safety.”
“Safety?” the younger officer almost scoffed. “Are you aware that he—”
“Sir,” Devlin interrupted quickly, glancing fearfully at the father. “I am aware. That is what I need to speak to you about—in private.”
Where the hell was Detective Jordan? Axel looked back toward the waiting room doors, willing the detective to walk through. Instead, Clint entered, which brought some relief. Axel excused himself and motioned to the cowboy. Clint immediately zeroed in on the officers.
“What’s going on?” Clint asked. “Are they here to look after the kid?”
“I’m not sure,” Axel murmured, his voice tense. “They’re asking to speak with the kid, but they don’t seem friendly. And the other boy’s dad is right there. If he overhears them mention the hit-and-run…” He inhaled shakily. “Devlin wants to talk to them in private, but they’re not cooperating.”
Other than Detective Jordan, Clint wasn’t comfortable around cops. But Axel knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to the kid, even if it meant an altercation with the officers. From the short distance, Devlin didn’t seem to be making progress with the cops.
