Page 97 of Boss

“It’s a small contusion. Typically, they heal nicely and the patient suffers no long-term damage. But it’s one to watch,” the doctor said.

“I feel fine,” Tarek grumbled.

“I must ask that we monitor you for the next forty-eight hours to be sure,” the doctor said.

“Thank you, doctor. Whatever is needed Tarek will comply.” Alek Marshall agreed.

“I’ll send the nurse to bring you down for more testing. Excuse me,” the doctor said. Tarek glanced to his father and then to his brother Dale. Henry stood over to the window at his mother’s side. His other brothers couldn’t be bothered to make an appearance. The top of his head was bandaged, as was his chest. He felt stronger, but he knew the injuries were severe since he even lost consciousness in the holding cell.

“Where is she?” Tarek asked.

“Don’t you worry she’s being taken care of.” Dale answered.

“Don’t handle her. In fact, don’t do anything until you and I talk. Alone!”

“Enough boys,” Alek spoke up. “We won’t have this discussion here.”

“What happened, sweetheart? They said two men are dead. And that woman, was she involved?” his mother came closer.

“Henry, I think you should take your mother home,” Alek said.

“I’m not going anywhere. He could have been killed,” she snapped. “What’s wrong with all of you? Standing around him like he did something wrong. You heard what that doctor said. What the police said.” She reached for Tarek’s hand. Tarek looked into the eyes of the only mother he knew. He was beyond the years of being the scared orphan who rested his head against her breasts. Life had turned all of that maternal need inside of him to stone. But when she smiled at him with love, he knew it was genuine.

“I’m staying as long as you need me,” she said.

“I’m okay. I’ll take the tests and listen to the doctors. There’s nothing else you can do here. Go home. I’ll be there soon.”

“No,” she shook her head.

“Listen to the boy, Thelma. Go home,” Alek directed.

She looked up to her husband, and then over to her oldest son Dale. “Okay, I’m out voted. But the moment they release you, you’re coming home to me and you’re staying with us. Do not go to that condo in Fort Worth you hear me? You’re staying with us.”

He glanced to Dale who watched from the corner of the room, and then to his father. He didn’t bother to answer.

“C’mon, Ma, let me get you out of here,” Henry said and pulled on his mother’s shoulders. She was still reluctant to go but she withdrew with his help, and the two of them headed for the door. When she was gone Tarek turned his attention to his older brother.

“You can leave too, Dale. I’m sure you’ve got more important things to do than hold up that wall.”

Dale cut his eyes to his father. He came out of his lean and walked over to Tarek’s bed. The men stared at each other. “Feel better soon, little brother, and we'll have that talk,” he said with a wry smile. He then patted his father on the back and headed out of the door. “I’ll be waiting for you outside Pops.”

It was just Alek Marshall and Tarek left in the room.

“I think we need to clear the air, son.” He rolled his wheelchair closer to the bed.

“Did you turn Cash against me? Send him to kill us?”

“Cash your errand boy investigator?” Alek chuckled. “Exactly when do I have the time to do that? I still can’t get up out of this chair. You’ve been conspiring against me for months. I don’t even know where the business stands with Kovalevsky. Why would I do something like that?”

“Because Havarti delivered my message, Easter EGG,” Tarek said.

“Havarti never called me,” Alek shook his head.

“Don’t pretend that nothing happens without your knowledge. I know the truth.”

“What truth is that?” Alek asked.

“You are trying to unload the company and get ahead of the feds before they connect us to Kovalevsky.”

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