Page 117 of Gunner

“Just for everything else. Can’t this truck move any faster?”

He drove at a snail’s pace, deliberately dragging out the journey.

“It’s useless talking to you when you’re like this. You won’t listen.”

“Exactly. So spare both of us all your lies.”

He kept his yap shut for the rest of the way. When he slowed down in my driveway, I hopped out of the car.

His door slammed, and I glanced over my shoulder.

“Just where are you going?” I asked.

“To get Zeus.”

“You’re not taking Zeus.”

“Aren’t you going to work?”

Shit. He was right. I had to go to the hospital to speak to the witness about the case.

“Asher will take him.”

“He barely pays Zeus any mind. Zeus is with me all the time, or he goes off with Chris.”

Damn, why was he making sense? I didn’t want him to.

“He’s fine at Asher’s. Why should I let him continue to form a bond with someone who is out of his life?”

I went inside and shut the door in Gunner’s face, then spun the lock for good measure. He didn’t knock. Didn’t ring the doorbell. Was that disappointment at how quickly he’d given up?

Zeus had licked his plate clean. I washed up his bowl and fed him some strawberries before I braved the stairs. My legs were sore from the hard run. I clung to the railing to hoist me up, letting out a sigh when I was finally on the second floor.

I took a shower, and the hot water helped to massage my aching muscles. Once I dressed, I felt marginally better. Duty called, and I couldn’t dwell on the past. In fact, reading that journal had given me the best closure I needed.

“Zeus.”

He didn’t respond. The son of a bitch had taken my dog despite everything I’d said to him. The urge to drive to the clubhouse and rescue Zeus was strong, but the job came first, especially because Zeus wasn’t in any danger. Gunner was gentle and friendly with him. I had liked the bond they’d been developing.

At the hospital, I asked the nurse to let Dr. Collier know I wanted to speak to him. He could brief me on Fox’s condition. In the meantime, I walked to the secluded area where Fox was. The cop who was stationed at the entrance of the room looked like he was fighting to keep his eyes open.

“Chief.” He sat up straight.

“At ease, Michaels. Why don’t you take fifteen?”

“Thanks, Chief.”

I entered the room. The oxygen mask that had helped Fox breathe was gone, but he still looked as if he was in a coma. Had Jamie made a mistake?

“Fox, can you hear me?” I said softly. “I’m Acting Chief of Police, Witter.”

His eyelids fluttered and slowly opened.

“Welcome back to the living,” I said. “Not many in your position have had a second opportunity to make amends. You cooperate with us, and we’ll take care of you.”

Fox opened his mouth, but only a croak came out. He beckoned for me to approach him. I drew closer to him and bent to hear what he had to say. This was the moment I had been waiting for since I realized he hadn’t died.

“Go fuck yourself,” he croaked.

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