Free BumpnGrind by Sam Cheever Page B

how stupid Garrett was. Garrett
coughed to hide a smile.
    “Not your name, sir. The friend’s name.”
    “That’s not important.”
    Hanks’ small, hazel eyes got a speculative glint. Even
Neanderthals occasionally had a coherent thought. “Why are you protecting this
friend?”
    Garrett leaned forward. “Because she’s my friend.”
    Hanks blinked again and his pencil drooped.
    Garrett sat back in his chair. “I’d like to go now.”
    Hanks shook his head. “I’m not done with you.”
    Garrett sighed. He’d been afraid of that. Felicia’s lawyer
friend would have made sure they held him as long as possible. To send him a
message if nothing else. They had no evidence so they couldn’t arrest him. But
they could make him suffer for twelve hours or so. “I’d like to make a phone
call.”
    “That won’t be necessary.”
    Garrett and Hanks both looked up at the man who’d just
arrived. Only one of them smiled.
    Garrett stood up and extended his hand. “Guido. Nice to see
you again.”
    Gabriel Vitale was tall and slim, with an abundance of slick
black hair that was combed back from his face, and a crooked nose that fit his
Guido persona perfectly. His handsome face was unlined. The only sign of his
fifty-some years was a touch of gray at his temples. His eyes were so dark they
looked black and he used them like a weapon.
    Guido was well-known for his ability to weaken a witness’s
bladder on the stand just by fixing an intense, cold gaze on him. He was even
better known for his ability to make witnesses cry under questioning.
    Vitale shook Garrett’s hand. “I’m sorry to see you again
under these circumstances, son. But I’m happy to help in any way I can.”
    Garrett inclined his head. “I’d appreciate that, sir.”
    Guido slapped Garrett on the shoulder and turned to Hanks.
“I’d like to see the evidence against my client, officer.”
    Hanks’ mouth dropped open and his eyes went blank. “Um. I
can’t do that, Mr. Vitale.”
    Guido Vitale went completely, perfectly still. His cold gaze
fixed on Hanks for a full minute before he spoke again. Then he smiled.
    Garrett was pretty sure he heard Detective Hanks whimper.
    “I’ll be taking my client home now, Detective Hanks.”
    Hanks’ massive head dipped in what could have been
acquiescence. Garrett wasn’t sure Hanks even knew he’d nodded.
    Guido didn’t wait for him to figure it out. He touched
Garrett on the shoulder. “You ready, son?”
    “I believe I am.”
    * * * * *
    When they arrived at the station, Felicia ran to Garrett and
he wrapped his arms around her. She had been so scared that he’d be thrown into
jail for that poor man’s beating.
    Bruno shook his uncle’s hand. “Thanks, Unc. I owe ya one.”
    “You do, yes. I’ll expect you to throw your golf game next
Saturday to make me look good in front of your aunt.”
    “That’s an awfully steep price, sir.”
    “It is. But I’m a very well-paid lawyer. I’d say you got a
bargain.”
    Garrett reached a hand toward Guido Vitale. “I’d have to
agree with that assessment, sir. Thank you for coming in tonight. It means a
lot to me.”
    Guido shook Garrett’s hand. “My pleasure, son. I hate to see
people getting pushed around by arrogant assholes.”
    Garrett lifted an eyebrow in surprise. “I guess you know
Dave Foust?”
    “Unfortunately.” He slapped Garrett on the back. “You young
folks get out of here now.”
    Brad grinned at Felicia, who was fighting a grin herself.
    Bruno turned to his uncle. “Aren’t you coming?”
    “No. I’m going to talk to a friend of mine. Chief Barris and
I go way back. He’s gonna get to the bottom of this charge for me and put it to
rest.”
    * * * * *
    They left Guido to his machinations and headed toward their
cars. “Breakfast?” Bruno asked hopefully.
    Felicia grimaced. “I just want to go home. I’m exhausted.”
    They said goodbye to Bruno and Garrett dropped an arm around
Felicia’s shoulders. “Let’s get out