Page 126 of Out Of A Fix

“That doesn’t seem professional,” John rendered his verdict.

“It’s not,” Luke replied. “But I set him straight the last time he was here.”

“Oh, that’s good,” Griff stated, slipping around the table to me.

I got up, and he threw himself at me hard, wrapping his arms around me as I hugged him back, pressing his face under my chin.

“I was so scared that day, but you saved me, and I know it’s selfish to keep you here instead of helping other people because you’re a fixer and all,” he said, his voice cracking, shivering against me, “but I think you should stay here with us because…you know.”

“I know,” I whispered, clutching him to my heart.

When he pulled back, I let him go, and he leaned down and hugged his father.

“You can trust Nash, Dad. Everything’s gonna be great.”

Luke absorbed the warmth and closeness, and moments later, Griff took a seat beside his grandfather, who looked pleasantly surprised.

“Okay,” Tatum said, leaning forward to scrutinize me. “Can you tell us what happened now? Do you have enough soup in you?”

“Not really, but I’ll explain what I know so far.”

“Thank goodness,” she said petulantly.

When I elbowed her gently, she giggled, which was always good.

I skipped the part about injuring the guy and went right to the fact that he used to be an officer working for Wilson.

“The chief of police who beat Griffin?” John asked.

“The same.”

“So this had nothing to do with Caitlyn?”

“No, sir, it didn’t.”

“Why does Wilson want to hurt Griffin?” Viola asked me.

“I don’t know that he does because everything that could have happened to him, basically has,” I explained. “There’s no trial, there’s no smoking gun, and what he did to Griff was the same that he’s done to a lot of others.”

“But you’re the one who got Griffin out of that situation,” John pointed out. “So could this man have been after you?”

“Doubtful. People don’t normally target fixers because we’re seen as bodyguards. We’re here to do a job, we’re not members of the community.”

John nodded. “That makes sense. So then you’re thinking this has to do with Griffin after all?”

“Again, that’s unlikely. But the Newcastle deputy chief will let me know as soon as he questions Ward Firmin.”

“Where is he now?”

“He’s in the hospital.”

“You put him in the hospital?” Griff asked me.

“Yes.”

“Why?” Tatum asked me.

“Because he was running away and I needed him to stop.”