Page 29 of Gunner

Jamie raised his head, his smile widening. We’d spoken here and there over the past year. I’d vowed that I’d look after him now his father was gone, and I’d meant every word. The young man was so desperate to maintain a connection with his father he didn’t question the tentative relationship we’d forged.

“Gunner! You came to the meeting.”

“I was told I had no choice.” Unlike Mason, who had been broody, his son was vibrant. He had more piercings than most people did. Smart as a whip and good looking, just like his daddy, but with more delicate features.

Witter scoffed, finally glancing up, but he wouldn’t meet my gaze.

“What’s that sound for?” I asked.

He swallowed a mouthful of his whiskey. The smell of the alcohol made my mouth go dry. “Since when does anyone force you to do anything?” Witter asked.

“You got a point there.” I leaned against the bar counter for support, standing to his left. I placed a boot on the lower rung of his chair. “I take it the lead you got has been helpful, or you’d be running back to me for more info.”

“Are you talking about the case with the babies?” Jamie shifted his chair so close he was practically in Witter’s lap. “Have you found out anything?”

“Jamie, you know I can’t discuss matters of the case with you.”

“But I can.”

“Gunner!”

“Relax, what’s he going to do? Foil your plans?” I snorted. “We found someone who may or may not be a lead, but they’re in Riverton.”

“But that’s great!” Jamie said.

“Not so great,” Witter mumbled. “I’ll have to liaise with the police captain there for them to cooperate and give us any lead on this person. I’ve already gotten in touch with him, and they have a BOLO for him. All I can do is wait.”

“Or we can go to Riverton and question him ourselves.”

Witter swung around on the stool, shoving my foot off the rung. “Wewill not be doing anything because there’s nowe.I’m a cop. You’re a criminal.”

“I don’t really see the distinction.” I shrugged. “And there sure as hell was a we when I brought you to that apartment building and got you information.”

“Andyoualso left me stranded,” Witter gritted out through clenched teeth. “Where was thewethen?”

“You pissed me off!”

“Because I didn’t let you…” He glanced at Jamie, who was staring at us, his lips slightly apart.

“Because you didn’t let me what, Witter?” I goaded him.

He grabbed his glass and emptied it, then slammed it down onto the bar. The tension stretching between us was thick enough to cut. Grimm walked over to us, moving way too silently for a man his size, and placed a hand on Jamie’s shoulder.

“What’s with the yelling?” he asked.

“You run an MC, Grimm,” I said. “I’m sure you’re used to yelling.”

“Ben’s our guest, Gunner. Take it down a notch.”

I spread my arms. “You just assume I’m the bad guy?”

“Without a doubt.”

I waved a hand. “Fair enough, but it’s equallyBen’sfault. He’s pissed I left him stranded when we were working on the case afew nights ago, but he won’t share why I left him. How can Jamie decide which of us was in the wrong if he won’t come clean about what happened?”

“What’s this about the case?” Grimm asked. “There’s been no update, is there?”

“Actually, they found someone in Riverton who might know something,” Jamie said. “They were arguing about whether they should allow the cops in Riverton to handle this or use Gunner’s way and get answers.”

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