City of the Dead (Alex Delaware, #37)(65)

“The gun. We didn’t do nothing but bring him. She had the gun.”

“She shot him, we’re, so so so so so so sorry!”

Montag bolted toward a doorway to the right of the sofa. Still sitting, Rodney reached out and snapped a giant paw over her wrist. She thrashed and gnashed as he held her at arm’s length.

“See?” said his brother. “We’re helping you.”

Tears in his eyes.

Milo said, “This sounds like something we’re going to need to check out.”

“It’s bullshit,” said Montag. “I promise you. They’re retarded.”

Wincing; increased pressure from Rodney’s mitt.

Milo said, “Thanks, pal, I’ll take it from here.”

“Yes, sir.” Releasing sausage fingers, Rodney sat back as Milo took hold of Montag.

Milo said, “This is for your safety and ours,” as he cuffed her. She cursed and spat. A gob of spittle landed on his cheek. He wiped it on his sleeve.

The twins remained on the couch. Terrified to the point of shaking.

Milo said, “Guys, I need you to keep helping me, okay?”

Simultaneous nods.

“Great. Thanks. I’m going to put your friend here in my car. Could you please just wait for me patiently?”

Renny said, “Yes, sir.”

Rodney said, “She’s not our cousin. She shot him.”

Renny said, “We want to be safe.”

Milo said, “From what?”

“Her.”

Rodney said, “We came here to tell her. We want it to be over.”



* * *



—

I stood in the doorway as Milo hustled Lisette Montag, still struggling, into the backseat of the Impala. During the time it took to belt her in, close the door and reopen with some sort of warning, shut it again and get on his phone, I’d managed to catch the twins’ downcast eyes and smile.

Meager comfort; four giant hands hadn’t stopped shaking. At the exact same pace, as if the product of a common nervous system.

I said, “Don’t worry, guys, we’ll take care of you.”

“I hope so,” said Renny, doubtfully.

“We need…something,” said Rodney.

“Mom and Dad,” said Renny. “They could help us.”

I said, “Where are they?”

“Vacation,” said Rodney.

“A cruise on a ship,” said Renny. “They’re supposed to call us tonight.”

“I hope they do,” said Rodney.

“Do you have their number?”

Both of them recited a 310 that I copied. “Thanks. We’ll do our best to get you in touch.”

Renny said, “They’re on a ship, sir.”

Rodney grimaced. “What…it was just supposed to be…”

“Protecting her,” said Renny. “She said he was dangerous.”

“We were trying to help ’cause she cut our hair.”

“We really didn’t know.”

Milo came back. “Okay, guys.”

His reappearance seemed to calm the twins. I’ve seen that before. People comforted by his presence.

Families of victims. Others who’d done no wrong.

These two had no idea.

I knew what they’d done but I found myself feeling sorry for them and told Milo about their parents.

He said, “Out to sea, huh? Where?”

Twin head shakes.

“Okay, give me that number.”

“Here you go.”

He pocketed the credit slip I’d used. “Great. Once we figure things out, guys, we can put you in touch with your parents. Meanwhile, it’s going to get a little busy around here. A bunch of people are coming over and guess what, you know one of them. Moses Reed.”

Dual blank looks.

“Blond guy, a little older than you, used to work out at Magnet Gym?”

Continued confusion.

Milo said, “Maybe you knew him as Moe? Blond crew cut, around your heights, maybe two twenty-five.”

Head shakes.

“He knows you guys. Says he used to spot your bench presses.”

“Oh,” said Renny. “The cop.”

“That’s him, my friend.”

“He’s strong,” said Rodney. “Relatively.” Uttering the word with pride.

“He was a good spotter,” said Renny. “But I don’t think he could do a full press with it.”

“Totally not,” said Rodney. “But he could spot.” To Milo: “He’s your friend.”

“Yup.”

“Wow.”

Milo pulled up a chair and faced them. “Anyway, is there anything else you want to tell me about what Lisette did?”

“She called us and said there was a guy.”

Milo said, “Tyler Hoffgarden.”

“She didn’t say the name,” said Renny.

“She said he wanted to rape her,” said Rodney.

“She said she needed to scare him.”

“She said we’re the only ones could do it ’cause he’s big.”

“Not as big as us.”

“No way.” Rodney managed a shy smile.