Page 90 of Shattered Dreams

“He shot Ed in the gut. Jo was trying to keep pressure on it. He put the gun in my back, I tried to talk him down, got a chance to knock some sense into him and took it.”

“Don’t blame you.”

We watched the medics come out with Jo’s dad and load him up in the ambulance. Flicking my butt to the ground, I watched as they left and shook my head at Johnny, who was still running his mouth. Thankfully, the officer who had him in the car came out of the house, went to his car, and left.

“Guess it’s my turn.”

“Once O comes out, we’ll head to the station and see what we need to do for you.”

“Nah, stay at Ma’s I’ll call when I need ya.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. The kids need you more than I do. Jo’s gonna need to go to the hospital.”

“You got it.”

“I’m ready, Garcia.”

“You know, most people aren’t this chill in the back of a cop car.”

“What can I say? No reason to argue.”

He laughed, shut my door, and talked to my brother before coming around and getting in to leave. Once we pulled away, I leaned my head back on the seat and relaxed for the ride to the station. I’ve been inside the police station a couple of times as a kid for field trips, but it’s completely different when you’re being led through it to an interrogation room.

“Do you need the cuffs?”

A chuckle rumbled up. “No. I’ll stay here.”

I folded my hands on the table and sat back in the chair.

Waiting.