Page 4 of Cross & Crown

When he spoke, his accent wasn’t local. It was so far from local that Nick couldn’t begin to place it, other than he sounded a

little Southern and a little British. It might have even been

fake. “They said I was shot in the head.”

Nick could think of nothing to say to that. He glanced at

the nurse for confirmation.

“He took a glancing blow. It knocked him unconscious,

but didn’t penetrate the skul . And I told you to stay in bed,”

she said, forcing the witness to recline and covering him with

a sheet.

Nick gaped at her. “Jesus.”

The witness cleared his throat and fiddled with the sheet,

obviously uncomfortable.

“What’s your name, sir?” Nick asked him.

“I don’t know.” He looked back at Nick, his expression

sincerely distressed.

Nick sniffed and scratched at his chin, not sure whether

to be annoyed or concerned. Either the man was exceptionally

good at stonewal ing, or he had a serious case of traumatic

amnesia. “All right. Can you tell me what happened this

morning?”

“No, I’m sorry. I don’t remember. I don’t know.”

“Whatdoyou know?”

“I know I got shot in the head.”

“You don’t remember anything?”

The witness winced. “No.”

“You don’t remember your name.”

“No, Detective. I’m sorry.”

Nick nodded and carefully patted the man on the

shoulder. He turned to his partner, who stood near the

doorway. Hagan had both eyebrows raised, his jaw working

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