Page 37 of Wicked Brutal

My phone buzzes in my pocket.

Iz: CAN I RELEASE THE PARENTS NOW

I show Ally, and she bursts out laughing.

Release them

Iz: THE PARENTS HAVE BEEN RELEASED.

Dad drags a hand down his face. “That boy is going to be a federal prosecutor’s ulcer.”

“Already is.”

Arthur and Darla arrive first, of course, with Iz trailing in behind them like he personally summoned the cavalry. “I have released the parents,” he announces.

Arthur hands him his coat. “You sent a group text.”

“With urgency.”

“You used six siren emojis.”

“Urgency, Dad.”

Darla ignores both of them and goes straight to Ally. “Hi, sweetheart.”

“Hi.”

“Iz told us the headline. Only the headline,” Darla adds, with a look.

Iz holds up both hands. “I disclosed the pregnancy and nothing else, because I have a deep and abiding respect for HIPAA.”

Darla stares at him. “That is not remotely how HIPAA works.”

“See? This is exactly why I bring professionals.”

Darla turns back to Ally, all business softened at the edges. “Can I ask you a few boring doctor questions before this house fills up with people?” Ally nods. “Seen anyone yet?”

“No.”

“Prenatal vitamin?”

“Yes.”

“Nausea, vomiting?”

“Both. The vomiting’s not constant.”

“Keeping fluids down?”

“Yeah.”

“Any bleeding, any cramping?”

“No. Neither.”

Darla nods, unhurried. “Okay.”

I’m already leaning in. “Okay good, or okay you’re-not-telling-me-something?”