Page 20 of Rowe

“Especially the fritter. They have hazardous materials disposal procedures.”

The tall man drew himself upright. He was not a small man. Under other circumstances, and against other company, his height and controlled manner might have dominated the room. Before Patrick, Christopher, Jethro, Kai, and Sonny, he looked like a man who had brought a letter opener to a timber yard.

“My employer does not tolerate interference.” Sonny folded his arms.

“We’re not interfering. We’re standing.”

“In our way,” said the man through a tightened jaw.

“Architecture can be hostile.” Dean looked from one man to the next.

“Five local heroes. That what this is?” Patrick’s expression cooled.

“No heroes here.” Christopher picked up his coffee. “Heroes get statues.”

Jethro took another drink from Patrick’s cup and the men in black raised their brows as if it were strange that friends shared coffee.

“We get tetanus.” Kai glanced at the automatic doors. “And you are blocking the air conditioning.” The pale man pushed away from the desk. His hand brushed the scar on his knuckle.

“You have no idea what you stepped into.” Patrick moved one pace forward. The others moved with him.

The effect was not dramatic. It was worse than dramatic. Five large men advanced as one, closing the lobby by three feet. Patrick’s shoulders remained loose. Christopher’s hands stayed visible. Jethro held the coffee as if they were discussing weather. Kai’s gaze never left Dean’s concealed wrist. Sonny watched the tall man with the weary patience of someone waiting for a machine to finish breaking.

The intruders yielded one pace without appearing to decide. Patrick stopped.

“You walked into a hospital hunting an injured woman who does not want to see you. You tried to bully the woman at the desk. One of you reached into his coat. We understand enough.” The tall man’s smile returned, thinner now.

“You planning to detain us?” Christopher looked at Patrick.

“Are we licensed for that?”

“I let mine expire. But beyond detention I can do, kind of, as long as you don’t snitch on me.” Sonny looked toward Odette. “Do we have a detention room?”

“Maternity is empty,” she said shrugging her thing shoulders. Jethro considered Dean.

“He does have the hips.” Dean lunged half a step before the tall man caught his arm. Jethro did not move at all.

“Floor,” he reminded him. “Very wet.”

The old man beneath the television made a noise that might have been a cough or a laugh. He was enjoying the show. He lived further down the river but knew the hospital had their air conditioning back on. All he was doing was watching his programs and enjoying cool air. He didn’t expect a show.

The tall man released Dean and turned his attention to Patrick.

“Call whoever is in charge.” Odette answered.

“You’re looking at her.”

“The sheriff.” Patrick glanced at the wall clock.

“He’s on his way.”

That was not strictly true. Patrick had not called him. It became true when the volunteer stepped behind the records door and made the call. The pale man heard the faint click of the receiver.

“We haven’t broken any law.” Kai nodded at the men.

“Then you’ll enjoy explaining that.”

The three strangers exchanged a series of small looks. The tall man went first to the stairwell, then the corridor, then the elevator indicator. He was measuring routes, time, and resistance. Patrick let him measure.