Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead(Finlay Donovan #2)(96)

“These guys are only in it for the money. With so much police attention on the case and no easy way to get paid, trust me, he’ll abandon the job.”

“So you think the killer’s a man?”

“Most hired guns are.”

“Both of them?” I asked. Joey’s head tipped curiously. “It’s my understanding that two people accepted the job, but it sounds like you’re only concerned about one of them.”

The only sound in the room was the soft beep of the monitor. Joey frowned, his eyes guarded as he studied me. “Nick told you that, did he? He shouldn’t be leaking those kinds of details.”

“I won’t tell anyone.”

“Like you didn’t tell anyone when Steven turned up to borrow your van?” He shuffled his toothpick thoughtfully between his teeth. “You were supposed to call me, Nick, or Roddy if you saw him. I spent all afternoon canvassing three counties looking for him. You could have clued me in.”

“Would you have answered if I did?”

“Is that what all this is about?” he asked, stirring the air between us. “You’re upset with me because I didn’t pick up when Vero called? You think I don’t care that I wasn’t there when my partner got shot?”

“Where were you?”

“I was at your house, relieving Roddy so he could take a piss and grab some dinner. I was actually having a chat with your neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, when the call came over the radio about the shooting. When Vero called, I was already on the phone with dispatch, trying to get an update on Nick’s condition. The hospital was closer to your house, so I came straight here.”

“Oh,” I said, tension and resolve slipping from my shoulders. Mrs. Haggerty, the indomitable president of the neighborhood watch, would have logged Joey’s arrival and departure, taking note of their conversation in the spiral notebook she kept on the table in her foyer. Which meant Joey couldn’t be EasyClean, and I had no idea who was.

“I promise,” Joey said, “no one is more upset about what happened to Nick than I am.”

I blew out a long, frustrated sigh, feeling like a fool. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you weren’t. It’s just been a very long day. What happened to Aimee, Theresa, and her mom?” I asked, steering the conversation to more neutral territory.

Joey’s posture eased a little. He tucked his hands in his pockets. “Theresa’s in protective custody. Sounds like Aimee and Theresa’s mom could both face aiding and abetting charges. But the DA’s probably so glad to have Theresa back in time for the trial, maybe she’ll go easy on them.”

“Did the police identify the goons with the guns?”

“They work for a private security firm owned by Feliks Zhirov. Looks like he sent them to clean up a few witnesses before the trial. Speaking of which,” he added, pulling his toothpick from his mouth and pointing it at me, “everyone who was in the house during the shooting was asked to give a statement. Someone will probably drop by your house in the morning to take one from you and Vero.”

I nodded, having assumed this much.

“I’m curious though,” Joey said, one foot propped on the wall behind him. “What were you and Vero doing there?”

“Just following a hunch.”

“Is that all?”

I held his dubious gaze across the bed.

“Enough with the third degree, Joe.” We both turned at the sound of Nick’s voice. It was deep and groggy. His heavy eyelids blinked open, a smile creeping over his lips when he saw me. I moved closer to his side as his fingers stretched out to meet mine.

“I’m going to hit the coffee machine and let you two catch up. Don’t strain anything.” Joey gave Nick a pat on the shoulder, careful to avoid his bandages. He gave me a tight nod before leaving the room.

“Thought you ghosted me,” Nick said once Joey was gone. “Before you ran off, I was working up to a sympathy kiss. How am I doing?”

“Not so great,” I said, leaning a hip against his bed. “Your partner blew your cover. He says you’re not dying and you’re actually going to be fine. It seems you missed your window of opportunity.”

Nick’s grin widened, teasing a lethal dimple from one cheek. He laced our fingers together. “How about sympathy dinner at my place?” He raised a sleepy eyebrow. “I promise, no dumpster diving this time.”

“We’ll discuss it when you’re back on your feet. Meanwhile, you should get some rest. Sounds like you have a lot of paper pushing to do once you’re out of here.”

He groaned, his eyes drifting closed again. “Don’t remind me.”

I gave his hand a squeeze as the painkillers kicked in. “I’ve got to go rescue Vero from the ER, and my sister’s burning up my phone. Call me when you’re feeling up to it.” Nick nodded, already half-asleep. Despite my earlier protest, I leaned down and kissed his cheek. His weak smile still managed to look triumphant. “Be safe,” I whispered.

Vero sent me a text from the car, letting me know she’d made it out of the ER in one piece. I replayed my conversation with Joey all the way to the parking lot, fidgeting with the bullet in my pocket. I had been so wrong about Aimee. Wrong about Joey. FedUp and EasyClean were still out there, nameless and faceless, and while Steven was probably safe on Guy’s couch tonight, none of this felt like a victory. I opened the passenger door to the loaner car, hesitating before getting inside. When I turned to glance up toward the window of Nick’s room, I could have sworn I saw a shadow staring down at me.