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I jogged across the lot and came around the back side of the large compactor. Benji was crouched down, staring at the back of the clinic.
I cleared my throat. “Are you hiding from your mom?”
Normally, Benji worked around the clinic assisting. I figured one day he would take over when his mom retired. Her oldest worked for the FBI in Dallas, and her middle child was the fire chief in New Orleans. I hadn’t seen either of them in years.
Benji tilted his head up, but didn’t move from his spot. “No, I’m making sure Mom is okay. The drop happens soon, and I worry.”
I glance around the back parking lot. There were a few cars from the overflow off Main Street, but I had no clue what the hell he was protecting her from.
“A delivery man giving her troubles? Or does someone try to rob her when the vet drug transports come?”
Benji squared his shoulders. “I’ll take care of my mom. We can’t trust anyone around this town. I hear the things they say about her.”
I’d heard the rumors as well, but chose to ignore them. My late wife had started them many, years ago.
I held up my hands. “I’ve known your mom a long time. She’s a good woman, and in small towns, gossip gets spread. We all know the stories get twisted a little.”
Benji shook his head. “That’s the problem. No part of the stories are true to start with, but Mom won’t say anything. Justin’s busy making a name for himself, and Des is plowing through every woman in the city of New Orleans.”
I couldn’t remember what the latest rumor was about her. “Humor me and pretend I haven’t heard any gossip. Then tell me why hiding behind the dumpster is protecting your mom.”
An SUV sped into the alley, and Benji shoved me to my knees, then he crouched next to me. Now we were both hunched behind the dumpster. Not how I’d pictured my afternoon, but I was too deep into this now not to find out what the hell was the issue.
“They’re coming,” he whispered.
The Cadillac pulled into the empty spot near the back door of the clinic. Two men dressed in suits got out of the vehicle. Benji moved, and I caught sight of the gun he had in his hand. I opened my mouth to ask what the hell he was doing, but a loud bang drew my attention back to the two men.
The door to the vet clinic opened, and Ivy stepped out. She had a white envelope in her hand. The two men spoke, but we were too far away and I couldn’t hear a word. One of the men pulled the envelope open then thumbed through the contents before he glared at Ivy.
Ivy stepped back and reached for the door. The shorter man was quicker. He grabbed her wrist so she couldn’t move then punched her in the stomach. He hit her in the side a second time.
I grabbed the gun from Benji’s hands and stood up.
“Stay,” I growled at Benji, but didn’t take my eyes off the man who still had his fingers clamped around Ivy’s wrist.
“Do we have a problem?” I asked, the gun trained on the man who hadn’t let go of Ivy.
He grunted and tugged Ivy closer.
“Nothing for you to worry about. Just reminding this bitch what happens when she doesn’t pay.” The fucker trailed a finger down the front of her body and cupped her breast. “You know we could always figure out another way for you to pay. I kind of like the idea of screwing a cougar.”
“Pretty sad the only way you can get a woman is by forcing her.”
The taller man tucked the envelope in his pocket. “Let’s go, Vinnie. As for you, Ivy, you have three days. If you don’t have the money, plus some, you’ll learn to do your job with one arm quickly.”
Vinnie let go of Ivy, but punched her a third time before he walked away. I kept the gun trained on them as they jumped into the SUV. While they backed out, I made a mental note of their license plate.
Benji sprinted from behind the dumpster and wrapped his mom in a hug. “Mom, are you okay?”
Ivy winced as her son hugged her. “What are you doing here? You were supposed to be at your grandma’s.”
“I always make sure you’re okay first.”
Ivy closed her eyes and a tear streaked down her cheek.
I cleared my throat again before interrupting. “Hey, Benji, can you do me a favor?”
Benji nodded but kept his arm around his mom.
