Page 115 of Out Of A Fix

“For what purpose?”

“I have no idea, because it’s not as though there’s going to be a court case for Griffin to testify at. Wilson was removed, he lost his pension, and his family moved out of town. After all was said and done, what he did to Griffin was a small part of the bigger picture of corruption within his office, but it did put a spotlight on Wilson. He was taking bribes for everything from zoning permits to liquor licenses and keeping, and selling, all the illegal drugs that came up the highway from Seattle.”

“I see. And what about Firmin?”

“I will make sure I’m there when he wakes up, with our county prosecutor, to ask him all manner of questions about what he was doing on the Duchesne property.”

“Good,” I said, relieved. It felt like I could finally breathe. It was nice to be able to count on other people. That was not always the case when on a job.

“Did you discharge your weapon?”

“I don’t even have it on me.”

“No gun?” he asked like I was nuts, and the raised brows made me groan. “That was gutsy. Do you normally hurl the switchblade at people? Did you used to be in the circus?”

“You’re hysterical,” I said snidely.

He laughed softly. “Jesus, Nash, outside in socks without a gun? Your ancestors must be working overtime keeping an eye on you.”

I shrugged. “I suspect so.”

“We should get you home,” he said with a yawn. “I doubt we’ll have any answers tonight.”

“May I borrow your phone? Mine is a paperweight now.”

“Yeah, here you go,” he said, passing me a phone with a serious waterproof, shockproof case. I needed to look into something similar. “Let me give you some privacy.”

Once he got up and went to talk to his techs, I called Luke.

“Hello. Who is⁠—”

“It’s me,” I told him. “I’m fine, just wet.”

Nothing on the other end.

“Luke? Honey?”

Not a sound, and then suddenly a cry and a whimper together.

“Listen, I’m all right. You need to⁠—”

“Nash? Is that you, dear?”

It was Viola. “Yeah. What happened? Is he⁠—”

“Darling, he can’t speak at the moment,” she soothed me. “I suspect he’s a bit overwrought, and he’s having some trouble breathing.”

“I’m so sorry he’s⁠—”

“Absolutely not. You went after whoever was out on the deck, and we’re all a bit on edge, that’s all. But I had him lean over, and he’s doing better now.”

Good to have your mom there in a weird situation. She was steady, and he needed that.

“Everything is fine here, don’t you worry.”

“Okay. I’ll be home shortly.”

“You ran out of here with no shoes and a sweater and jeans. You must be freezing.”