“Oh, well, maybe some other time then, but I still need to speak with you.”
“We’ll be there. And ma’am?”
“Yes?”
“If anyone asks, you ain’t seen hide nor hair of either of us.”
She chuckled. “I’ll remember that.”
“What did she want?” Bo asked once Lucky hung up the phone.
“For us to stop by. Sounded important, but she says she and Walter are fine.” Or as fine as Walter could be right now, more than likely.
Bo saluted. “If Mrs. Boss calls, we answer.”
Lucky nodded. “Damned skippy.”
***
They pulled into the Smiths’ driveway at five minutes to seven. Lucky swore he saw wings folding back up underneath the Durango. Somewhere along the way, Bo rethought his views on speed limits.
Nice. Especially if it got them to the Smiths’ earlier, and to whatever Mrs. Smith wanted them for.
She opened the door on their first knock. “Come in, come in.” Her eyes sparkled and her shoulders no longer slumped as they had when Lucky last saw her. She even smiled, something Lucky had rarely seen her do since Walter entered the hospital.
“Why did you want to see us?” Bo asked.
“I think I’d better show you.” She led the way into the living room.
Bo lifted a brow in Lucky’s direction and followed her, Lucky bringing up the rear.
Bo stopped so suddenly Lucky ran into him.
He peered around Bo.
Walter Smith stood by the window, cane in hand.
“Good evening, gentlemen. Why, Lucky, you’re wearing a suit!”
More lines marred Walter’s face, but the awareness in his eyes hit hard. Lucky’s heart gave a swift mule kick. “Boss!” He eyed Walter up and down, but other than the cane, a few missing pounds, and a world-weary tiredness, he might have been back to his old self.
One side of Walter’s mouth lifted. “Sit down. Let’s talk.”
Lucky stood frozen. Bo’s hand on his back jogged him toward the couch. He sat thigh to thigh with Bo.
Any minute now he’d wake up, find Walter still in the hospital…
Walter gusted out a heavy breath and sank into a recliner. “Ah, that’s better.” He fixed his bifocaled gaze on Lucky and Bo. “I still get tired so easily.”
Tired? Lucky couldn’t take his eyes off the man he’d feared would never be himself again. “It’s good to see you. A lot’s happened since you’ve been gone.”
Bo elbowed his side, jostling Lucky into continuing, “Which we don’t have to talk about now. We’re glad you’ve made so much progress.”
Walter waved a dismissive hand. “You don’t have to coddle me. I brought you here to talk business. What’s been going on at the office?”
Lucky cut his eyes toward Bo and raised his brows, bracing for another elbow jab.
Bo dipped his chin. Permission, but with a raised brow. So, better not hop up and swear a blue streak about O’Donoghue and his lapdogs. “Remember the case we were working on, Chastain Pharmaceuticals?”
