Page 64 of Rules of Engagement

"I don't know but I hope we'll find out soon. My brother said I can watch and listen to the interview."

"I'd like to come too," said Damien.

There was no way I could refuse. "I'm sure that would be okay," I told him, "but I have to leave now."

"I'll stay with John," said Anastasia. "I don't want to see that animal. Not ever."

"You don't have to, sis," said Damien.

"I'll call you as soon as I have news," I told her. "And call me if..."

"I know, if he wakes up," finished Anastasia. She reached for my hand and squeezed it. "Only positive vibes here. Hurry back."

I phoned Maddox as Damien and I walked to the elevator. Excitement was building inside me as we traveled down and by the time we reached Maddox in the lobby, I wasn't sure I could contain it. Every step seemed so positive. The sooner we got to the police station, the sooner we could find out exactly what was going on. The reason would finally come out! The shooter would be charged and punished. My questions would be answered. And best of all, the fear that haunted me would finally leave. Solomon would be safe. No one else would dare try to hurt him. The hit was foiled.

But, deep inside me, I couldn't help listening to the little voice that said it wasn't true.

Maddox, Damien, and I walked into the police station, like silent, stoic bookends surrounding a currently very unfashionable me.

My middle brother waited for us, waving before we could approach the desk sergeant.

"This way," said Daniel. "Garrett's in there already and he asked me to escort you. Maddox, are you joining us?"

"Yes, if it's okay with Garrett," said Maddox and Daniel nodded.

"And this is Damien Solomon, Solomon's brother," I told Daniel.

"Sorry to meet you under these circumstances," said Daniel, shaking his hand. "We'll watch from the adjoining room, through the two-way mirror. Are you familiar with the procedure?" he asked Damien.

Damien nodded. "I'm a cop too."

"I didn't know that. Which force?" asked Daniel. He waved to Garrett as he approached us.

"Boston PD," said Damien. "Are you sure this is the guy?"

Garrett nodded. "Close to positive. We found a gun in his possession that could have been the weapon used and ballistics are rushing the report. If it matches, we can say we have him," he said. He paused in the corridor and pushed a door open, ushering us inside. Daniel gave me a quick hug before leaving Garrett, Maddox, Damien and me together.

"I don't have to remind you that you're here purely as a courtesy. Stay in this room. Follow all the procedures. I'll come and get you when we're done," said Garrett.

I turned to face the two-way mirror. A sick feeling rose in my stomach as I forced my eyes to look at the man who probably shot my fiancé.

The scrawny kid wasn't what I expected. I imagined a tough guy: a big oaf with a thick neck, stubbled jaw, and dead eyes. I expected to see a muscled body, hewn from years of brawling. Instead, he looked like a kid in his early twenties, scrawny with big eyes that darted around the room. His fingers fidgeted almost constantly, toying with the handcuffs that were secured over a steel bar in the center of the table. His hair looked like it had been cut by someone who really disliked him and his jaw continuously shuffled from side-to-side. He seemed like a tweaker.

"He's young," I said, my voice no more than a whisper.

"He's high," said Damien.

"He's not the ringleader," said Maddox. "No one that strung out could’ve planned a hit."

"He's definitely no hit man," I said, watching him. On the other side of me, Damien agreed.

"Solomon will be so insulted," added Damien.

Maddox held back a laugh. "Damn right," he said, stopping when Garrett entered the interview room. We watched my brother walk over to the table and drop a file onto it. He leaned over and tapped the file.

"Know what this is?" he asked the twitching young man.

The man raised his eyes, blinking hard, like he couldn't focus. "No," he said, nearly spitting out the word.

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