Page 19 of Dark Alleys

“Sure. Sounds great. Bring me that.”

I was two glasses into my pitcher of Shiners when Regan sat down across from me and smiled. “I figured you were having a tough couple of days.”

“Yeah. Good call. Turned out exactly that way. I had to go back to the clinic this morning for another clean up and more stitches.”

“My God, Lukas. You are pale. How much blood did you lose?”

“Didn’t measure. Probably a gallon.”

She laughed. “Did you order food from Rachael?”

“Yeah, your server sold me on the special.”

“Great. I want you to eat. What did the doctor say when you went back?”

“Sleep and don’t fuckin’ move.”

“Yes, I can see that being good advice.”

“Stronger meds put me in a fuckin’ coma for six hours. I haven’t been awake long.”

“How bad is the pain?”

“Better with drugs and beer.” I winked at her.

“I could drop by your place and look in on you.”

“You can’t. It’s not that simple.”

“You have a wife?”

“Hell no, but I’m working on something, and you can’t come to where I’m living now.”

“Okay, I get it. You’re undercover.”

I nodded, happy she wasn’t stupid, but I didn’t want her to know too much about me. Better for both of us the less she knew.

“When I get a minute and my arm is better, you can come to my Aunt’s house in Cherrywood, and we’ll have a coffee with her.”

She nodded again. “You’re living two different places.”

“Yeah. I don’t have much free time.”

“The picture is a little clearer.”

“I met a little girl this morning at the laundromat.”

“Oh yeah? How little?”

“Under twenty and she has a baby—product of a rape.” I told Regan the whole Cindy story and I was so fuckin’ angry about it, I felt relief when I was able to get it all out.

“And you’re interested in the rapist?”

“I have a lead on him.”

“But you’re not physically fit to grab him?”

I chuckled. “Won’t be the easiest thing I’ve ever done, Regan.”

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