Page 147 of Trigger

The rest of the day was equally shitty, to little or no surprise.We sat in the crowded waiting room, waiting for the news on Bruce for whatseemed like forever. Shelly was staring at the wall while Adam and Jordanbickered over nothing. Then the doctor appeared and gave us a rundown of whathad happened, which could be summarized as, “He should be fine. You can see himtomorrow.” After that, we went to the station in the foulest of moods.

It was late in the evening, and I was catching up on paperworkwhen my phone rang. I picked it up, sighing when I saw an unknown number.

Now what?

“Yes?” I answered, only to hear a voice that sounded faintlyfamiliar.

“Hey. It’s me.”

“Who is me?”

“Luz.”

As soon as I looked at Tye, he stood up and reached for his gun,reading my expression.

“How did you get my phone number?”

“I called the big guy, but he wasn’t picking up. Then I called thestation and told them I was your brother and that our dad died.”

“I don’t have a brother.”

“I charmed the guy who answered the phone. Erm… I’m also introuble.”

“Where are you?” I said, heading toward the exit.

“At the corner of Mayflower and 9th. I think I’m being followed.”

“Okay. Make a circle around the block and try to lose them. I willcall you in ten minutes.”

I was passing by Jordan’s desk when he waved at me.

“Hey, Carter! My condolences, by the way. I just heard.”

I stifled a groan and waved back, deciding it would be better todrop it than explain it.

“Condolences?” Tye said, opening the door for me.

“Don’t ask.”

Fifteen minutes later we reached Mayflower Street, and Tye leftthe car while I called Luz.

“Are you still being followed?”

“I don’t think so, but I’m not sure.”

“Okay. Meet me in Rosemary Park in half an hour. Take the longerroute behind the market and then turn left.”

“‘Kay.”

I was standing in the shadow of a large oak in Rosemary Park whenI saw Luz hurrying toward me. He was dressed in jeans and a wrinkled shirt thatlooked as if he had slept in it. His wavy blonde hair was tangled, and he wasghastly pale.

“Whassup?” he said when he reached me, sounding more at ease thanhis restless eyes suggested.

I looked over his shoulder only to see Tye walking up to us.

“No one’s tailing him,” Tye said, pointing his chin at the baracross the street. “Let’s talk over there.”

Once we settled in the booth and ordered coffee, Luz shared thenews with us.

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