“How?”
“Some skateboarder was filming his friend and caught the shooting in the background.As soon as he uploaded the footage, the news stations were all over it.They’re circulating photos of Watt, and basic information.It’s his first week on the job.”
Paul walked to the bedroom window and looked out.He felt helpless.
“The good news is Watt won’t be in danger from a second attack.He just transferred from Oklahoma.He wasn’t even in the state when you got shot.The Mendez family won’t target him again.”
“What’s the bad news?”
“The bad news is that Mendez will realize his mistake, and he’ll want to correct it.Judging by this failed attempt, he knows what you look like, and the department you worked for.He might already have your name.”
Paul scrubbed a hand down his face.“If I’m at risk, you’re at risk.”
“Not necessarily.”
“We have the same last name.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t kill a Mendez brother.That was you.”
A deluge of images assaulted him at the reminder.Angel Mendez’s sightless eyes staring up at the sky.Blood pooling from his body in a slick trail.A child screaming for her mother, who lay crumpled on the ground.
The mother had never gotten up.
“How’s Sharma?”Paul asked hoarsely.
“She’s awake and responsive.”
“Has she said anything?”
“No.The surgeon thinks she’ll have to relearn basic skills, like speech.It’s unlikely she’ll have any memory of the incident.”
Paul closed his eyes, swallowing hard.He shouldn’t have intervened in the carjacking.His arrival had escalated the situation.
“She’s alive,” Kyle said.“Her kid is alive.You’re alive.Focus on that.”
“I can’t stay here.”
“You can, and you will.You’re in the safest place possible.”
“But I’m not alone.”
His brother made a frustrated huff.“What’s your alternative?Mendez has a network of associates all over Texas, and on both sides of the border.”
“Maybe I should leave Texas.”
“That’s something to consider at a later date.Right now, you have to lay low and keep your cool.Stay behind closed doors.No gas stations, no grocery stores, and no driving on the goddamned interstate!”
Paul frowned at the edge of panic in Kyle’s voice.“Can we dial it down a notch?”
“No, we can’t, because I know you.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I don’t trust you to stay put.Right now, you’re probably thinking about going off the rails.You’ll disappear in the desert with a fucking backpack and let me wonder if you’re alive or dead.”
He had to admit, the idea appealed to him.“I won’t endanger another woman and child.”
“Your best option is to create distance from them.”
