“Barney’s dead. Newt shot him.”
River gaped at Max. “Newt shot him?”
“Yes.”
“But—Barney had the gun.”
“Gunshot residue was found on Newt’s clothes and hands, so somehow, he got hold of the gun and fired it.”
River groaned. “Oh God. Fuck.”
“What was Barney doing there?”
“Barney said he was in love with Harry G…Gardner. Said…Harry was pissed off I got the roles he wanted.” River sucked in a breath. “If I was dead, Harry would get…Kaden’s Monster. Seems like Barney tried to…kill me in Cro… Cro…” He gave up trying to say Croatia. “Then tried to kill me again. In. My. Fucking. House. Broke in.”
“Without triggering the alarm?”
“Forgot to set it when we left.”
“Newt forgot?”
“Both forgot.”
“Did you see what happened between Newt and Barney?”
“No. Where’s Newt?”
“The police want to speak to you. Not today though.”
“Is Newt all right?”
“Yes. He’s fine,” Max snapped. “Let him go.”
River bristled, an uneasy sensation made his stomach churn. “What do you mean?”
“Why not end it now? The perfect moment. A clean start.Medway Boysis doing really well at the box office. Audiences are big. Reviews are excellent. The studio is delighted. The press is talking about awards. Why don’t you and Dila go on holiday? Dubai for a couple of weeks. Get some sun.”
“No. Tell me…where Newt is. You said he’s all right…but I don’t b…believe you. I want to see him. Has he been to see me? Did…did you tell him he couldn’t?”
“He’s in prison.”
River found himself gaping and closed his mouth. For a moment. “What the fuck? Why the hell is he in p-prison?”
“Lower your voice.” Max leaned in. “He was released on licence halfway through his sentence. That means there’s a list of things he’s not allowed to do. And guess what? Shooting someone is on that list.”
“No, no, no, no.” River grew increasingly agitated. He tried to get out of bed and Max stopped him.
“Stay where you are. You’re not well. You have a severe concussion. Lie down.”
“Get Newt out of prison.”
Max sighed. “How am I supposed to do that? A man died and the police are investigating what happened. Newt broke his licence conditions.”
“Newt was defending me! He was doing his job!” River clenched his fists.
“You didn’t see what happened.”
“Don’t you dare! He saved me.”
