Page 142 of Evil Bones
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“Gang related?”
“Two were patched in. The other two were known hang-arounds.”
I made the unwelcome link.
“You worked the gang unit for years.”
“I did.”
“You know the players.”
“Most.”
“They want your help shutting it down.”
“They do.”
“What’s the word on the street?”
“Surprisingly, there is none.”
“Could the assailant be a lone wolf?”
“Nothing’s off the table.”
I thought about that. “You say this is the fourth murder in two months. Why come to you now?”
“The latest vic was fifteen years old.”
“Sonofabitch.”
“Well put.”
“Giguère wants you back in Montreal,” I guessed.
“He does.”
“When?”
“He’s booked me on a flight through Philly this evening.”
Shit.
“More coffee?” I asked, trusting that those simple words wouldn’t reveal my disappointment.
“Please.”
I got up, refilled our mugs, and sat back down.
Ryan took my hand, intertwined his fingers with mine, and leaned close.
“Say the word and I won’t go.”
“Of course you should go.”
“I wouldn’t consider leaving if I thought you might still be in danger.”
