Page 42 of Emergency Exit
Ash typedSeattle drive-by shootingandValkyrieinto the search field. For once, it didn’t annoy him that his brothers always popped higher in a search than he did.
“Some lawyer guy is in the hospital. According to the news, Rowan saved his life. Of course, Rowan didn’t say that. I tried to get clarity on how badly Rowan is hurt, but he just says he got a little dinged up.”
A little dinged up.That was exactly the kind of thing Rowan would say. The search came back almost instantly with multiple news channels.
Local lawyer fighting for life.
Veteran’s charity attacked.
Tragedy averted by Valkyrie Security.
“But Rowan’s OK?” said Ash, skimming through the top result.
“He says he is,” said Forest. “But he wanted me to call you before you saw the news and freaked out. Sounds like he’s in bed and sleeping in, so maybe text later if you want.”
“Thanks,” said Ash. “Are you calling Mom, too?”
“Oh. Uh… I wasn’t planning on it. I mean, can she even turn on the TV? She probably won’t see what happened.”
“I replaced the remote, and shedoeshave a phone and a tablet.”
“Oh,” said Forest.
Ash gritted his teeth. “It’s fine. I was going to call her anyway.”
“Great,” said Forest, his tone brightening at the idea of not having to talk to their mother. Ash looked through the following news story.
“I don’t understand. How did they get hit by a drive-by if they were inside the gala?”
“The news story I saw said the lawyer went outside for aphone call.”
“But what was Rowan doing out there?”
“Ash, you literally know everything that I know. He sounded fine when I talked to him. Don’t freak out.”
“I’m not freaking out. I’m wondering if this is going to be like last time. Dealing with the VA was pretty shitty. Do we need to call people? Is he going to have to do PT?”
“No, I don’t think this is like last time.” Now, Forest sounded impatient.
“Forest, come on! A little dinged up? Do we really think hedidn’tget shot?”
“Yes, I know he probably got shot this time, too, but I saw him on the news. He was walking around and doing the thing. You know, the thing where he looks like Mr. Scary Security Guy. So it obviously wasn’t that bad, or he wouldn’t have been walking around last night and wouldn’t be at home now.”
Ash had to admit that Forest was probably right. He clicked on a video clip and was reassured to see Rowan standing behind some hot chick in a red dress doing the tough guy thing as Forest described.
“OK, fine, but you’ll text me an update when you call him later?”
“Yeah, I mean… I will call him later, but you can also call him. Why am I in the middle?”
Because Forest would remember, and Ash wouldn’t.
“Uh, cuz, chronologically, it’s Rowan, then you, then me. Duh.”
“Ha. Ha. Yes, I’m aware that I’m the middle child. You are hilarious.”
“I’m a laugh riot. Look, I’ve gotta go. Seriously, though, you’re texting me?”
“Yeah, OK, talk to you later.”
