Page 36 of Keep

I told him about the package but before I was finished he cut me off.

“Dumb stunt. Don’t even worry about it.”

“Why the hell not?”

Andy actually sounded smug. “Because these people have got much bigger fucking problems now.”

“I don’t get it.”

Andy lowered his voice. “Look, I’m at the station and can’t give out too many details right now but the guy who showed up at your place the other day is named Frank Bruno. He’s being arrested outside one of his tanning salons as we speak. You can rest assured all his associates will be following him.”

I allowed the new development to sink in. “Is that why you wanted to meet?”

“No. At least that’s not the whole reason.”

“Does the rest of the reason have something to do with Hale?”

“Yes.” My old friend paused. We used to play ball together in college. He was a fine player but his heart was never in baseball. He’d always dreamed of being a police officer. “Dalton, there’s some information about Hale you need to hear. I wanted to meet because I think you deserve to hear it in person.”

That didn’t sound good.

“Oh,” I said, feeling sick and suddenly unsure whether I really wanted to hear Andy’s news in person or any other way.

“Can you meet me at Baseline Diner in an hour?”

I cleared my throat. “Yeah, I can do that.”

After Andy hung up I drummed my fingers on my desk. I could hear the echoes from the batting cages as the last players got in a few more swings before closing. On my desk was the small faded photo I’d retrieved from Hale’s apartment earlier. I’d been afraid to leave it in my car all day in the heat so I brought it in here and left it beside Cami’s picture.

The kids in the old photo beamed at me, never guessing what the years ahead would bring. I set the picture back on the desk and checked my watch. Baseline Diner was only a twenty minute drive so there was plenty of time before I had to meet Andy.

Except I’d made a promise to Cami that I wouldn’t go alone. I didn’t believe there was any danger, certainly not from Andy, but a man should never break a promise to his wife. There was a small problem there. I had no shortage of friends but when I ran through a mental inventory I couldn’t think of one I’d call in a situation like this.

“Hey buddy, would you mind standing by me while I get a rundown of my brother’s criminal activities and figure out whether I need to worry about some gangsters?”

Yeah, no names came to mind for a chore like that. Except one. He didn’t sound surprised to hear from me.

“Remember when you said all I had to do was ask if I needed you?” I said.

“I remember.”

“Well, I’m asking.”

Curtis didn’t hesitate. “Tell me where to be and I’ll be there.”

---