okay? What about your woman and the girl?”
“Danny is in the hospital. He might lose an eye. The rest of us are okay.”
“Lose an eye? Well, I guess shit happens. He’ll be a twin for Halibut. Who else was killed? I figured it was Wiz and Rolly. They take two strikers with ’em? T-Bone and Booger?”
“They did. How do you know? The names haven’t been released yet.”
“We’ve been trying to do a head count and figure out who’s missing. It’s tough. Damien is going nuts. We got guys runnin’ around all over because of the election tomorrow. Over a dozen chapter presidents have already flown in. The rest are arriving in the morning.” Lance paused, then asked, “Who was the fifth?”
“Thumper.”
“Thumper! He’s not even with our chapter. He’s with the east side. You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“That dirty fucker! I bet he stuck his nose up Wiz’s ass because he thought Wiz was gonna win the election.”
“You can strike Wizard’s name off the ballot.”
“Then this happens in the middle of everything! It’s like someone drove a car into a yard full of hornets’ nests. Guys are talking revenge. Wait until they find out it was you and Danny! I bet Damien knows already.”
“What’s he saying?”
“Not much. Makes him look bad that he didn’t know what was going on and didn’t have control over his guys. I bet he loses the election now.”
“Who do you think will win?”
“Probably someone from back east. Damien wants me at his house at eight in the morning. I’ve never been invited there before.”
“Why does he want to see you?”
“Don’t know. All the presidents will be meeting him there at 2:15 tomorrow afternoon. The vote will be decided shortly after.”
“I’ll have a working cell by noon tomorrow. Call me when you can.”
“Yeah, I will if I’m alive.”
“Why wouldn’t you be?”
“If Damien figures I knew about the ambush, he won’t be pleased.”
“Want me to vouch for you?”
“Fuck you!” Lance chuckled.
“Call me tomorrow.”
Jack returned to the hospital room where Danny was sleeping. Susan was standing beside the bed while Natasha held Tiffany and sat in a chair beside Marcie. Jack put his arm around Susan’s shoulder and said, “You’re sure you’re okay?”
Susan nodded. “The nurse said she’d put a cot in the room. I want to make sure I’m here when he wakes up and before they operate again. Appreciate you looking after Tif for me.”
Jack looked over at Natasha and Tiffany. “She’s in good hands. Don’t worry about her. I’ve taken the booster seat out of your car.”
“I’m not worried about her,” replied Susan. She then glanced at a heavily armed member of the Emergency Response Team who was standing outside the room. “I understand why that guy is here, but what about the one hanging around from Homicide? Why is it so important for him to be here?”
“People died today. They need to talk to Danny and make sure he didn’t break any rules.”
“And did he?” Susan studied his face for the truth.
Jack paused, then said, “No. I talked to him earlier. He obeyed them completely.”
Susan stared a moment longer, then walked across the room and gave Tiffany a kiss on her forehead before saying goodnight to Natasha and Marcie.
“Susan … I’m sorry,” said Jack.
“Yeah. I know. You better get going. Your sister will be waiting.”
Jack saw that the city lights were behind them and glanced in the rear-view mirror. Marcie was leaning against the booster seat. Both she and Tiffany appeared to be sleeping.
“There’s something I need to know,” he whispered to Natasha. “I’ll understand if you need time, but…”
“You mean, do I still want to marry you?”
“Yes. After today, I…” Jack let the words trail off. He couldn’t bring himself to say it.
Natasha’s eyes brimmed with tears. “I was petrified. It was all because of you.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I would never have put you in that position if I’d known.”
“I’m not talking about that! I’m talking about us! I was petrified that I might never see you again! Today made me realize how fragile life is and how much the future means to me. You are my future. I’m going to cherish every day of it.”
Jack breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. I felt exactly the same way.”
“Speakin’ of that,” said Marcie, leaning forward from the back seat, “bein’ as I’m the bridesmaid, when are you getting married?”
“After today … soon!” said Jack and Natasha in unison.
Natasha leaned over in the seat, wrapping her hands around Jack’s arm, and said, “Besides, I think I need to keep you around for protection.”
“You need protection?” said Jack, rather incredulously. “I heard you took out Thumper with only a scalpel. How did you manage that? I couldn’t have beaten him if he was handcuffed and I had a gun!”
Natasha paused, then said, “Oh, I just waited until the right moment when he wasn’t paying attention.”
“Yeah,” said Marcie. “She sort of caught him with his pants down.”
Jack stopped the car at a checkpoint set up at the entrance to Ben and Liz’s driveway. The officer radioed others outside the house and they were allowed to proceed. The light bulb over the porch had already been unscrewed to prevent anyone from accidentally turning it on. Light escaped from the edges of the shades and drapes that were drawn and Jack glimpsed Ben unlock the door as they made their way across the porch. Seconds later they were inside.
The only one who wasn’t hugged and kissed and didn’t cry was Tiffany. When they finished their greetings they sat in the living room.
“Any change with Danny?” asked Liz.
The sound of geese honking outside brought their conversation to a stop. Ben looked at Natasha and said, “That’s Andrew and Martha, our two geese.” He looked at Jack and said, “They’ll honk all night if those officers keep moving around. I better put them in the barn.”
“I’ll
