Page 146 of Broken Wheels

The lack of hesitation staggered him for a moment. “Why?” He glanced at Dixon, and was rewarded with an eye-roll.

“Because we’re a team, moron. Where you go, I go.”

Okay, that was one question answered.

He knew he’d have to talk to Gary and Michael eventually, but he was putting it off because the thought of them regarding him gravely, nodding, and saying his departure from CrossBow would be for the best left him feeling cold and hollow.

Don’t think about that.

It might not come to that.

Yeah, he wasn’t that hopeful.

“Carson and his family all moved out?”

Dixon nodded. “Yeah, but they’re under guard. Gary said they’d have protection until they deemed it wasn’t necessary anymore. My guess is that’ll be after the trial, and knowing how things go, that’ll be a long time coming.”

“Did I tell you Carson said I’d be called in to testify?”

Dixon gave his hand another squeeze. “Yeah, you did. Twice.”

“He said he’d try to make it so I could give my evidence from here so I wouldn’t have to see Spencer—or his people—face-to-face. Not the best solution, but I think it’s a good idea.”

“Yeah, it is.” Dixon scowled. “I don’t want you anywhere near that lunatic.”

Josh sighed. “This is going to be my life from now on, isn’t it? Sitting here on the couch, worrying about my future.”

Warm lips brushed his cheek. “We’ll figure this out, Doc. You have my word.”

That sounded nice—in theory—but Josh knew better.

Let him have his happy space until the shit hits the fan.

He sank deeper into the couch. “So what happened with Kathy?” He’d kinda switched off where she was concerned.

“Carson’s people came to collect her. She’s going to be in their custody while a safe place is worked out for her. I know it sucks that she’s gonna walk, but I think she’s going to have to spend the rest of her life looking over her shoulder, jumping at every shadow. And if I’m honest, it couldn’t happen to a more deserving person.”

That was a sentiment Josh could agree with. The fact that someone so horrible would be walking around when so many decent people had died didn’t sit right with him, but Spencer was the greater threat, so as evil as she was, it was still the lesser evil.

Dixon leaned into him. “I do have video of her being hauled out in cuffs, if that’ll make you feel any better. She wasn’t exactly quiet when they escorted her to the car. If you want, I’ll make you some lunch, and you can watch it while you eat.”

The suggestion had a taint of pettiness that robbed Josh of his appetite. “I’m not hungry.” He’d be happy if he never got to see Kathy ever again, but the idea of finding her exit entertaining?

Yeah, he wasn’t at that point, and he was sort of surprised to find Dixon was. Then he reconsidered. Dixon sees the woman who was happy to stand by while Spencer laid the blame at my doorstep.

Screw her.

“Want some macaroni and cheese?” Dixon asked, a teasing lilt in his voice.

Damn but Dixon knew which buttons to push, and for a brief moment, Josh was tempted. “No, thank you, though.”

Dixon sighed. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”

“Noticed what?”

“You haven’t been eating.” Dixon stood. “So I’m going to make it, and you’re gonna eat it.” He chuckled. “And it won’t even be out of the little blue box. I’m gonna make you my famous homemade stuff that’ll give you a happy tummy.”

“Dixon, I’m not really?—”

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