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I moved out of the way so they could get the gurney close.
“What have you got?” Madi asked.
“Severed brachial artery,” I reported. “She’s in shock. Pulse is rapid and BP falling. She’s lost a lot of blood.”
“Got it, Doc,” Madi said. “We’ll take care of her. Lucky for her you were here. Triage is being set up outside for anyone with minor medical needs.”
I nodded and Denaro and I moved out of the way so they could get to work. It was then Jack came back inside. I could tell by the look on his face they hadn’t caught the ones responsible. I could also tell he was pissed.
Cole, Martinez, and Jackson came in next, and they spread out through the room, trying to get things organized so they could take statements from those who weren’t injured and send anyone else to the triage center.
Jack headed straight for me and I moved to meet him halfway.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Not a scratch,” I said. “You didn’t find him?”
He shook his head. “I’ve got units out searching, but we found an empty SUV down the block. He had alternate transportation and is gone for now. Witnesses on the sidewalk said it was only one shooter. Caucasian male. Black glasses and a black ski cap. Black Escalade with dark tinted windows. He used a submachine gun in short bursts. I was listening for full auto, but he was in control. We’d have had a lot more fatalities otherwise.”
“That’s a lot of damage for one guy,” I said. “And an expensive choice of vehicle. The owner tells me he’s got Italian mob ties, but he said he’s been out of the game a long time. Sounded like more of a family legacy. He and the wife moved to Bloody Mary last year.”
Jack arched a brow and then he looked over my shoulder as Denaro encroached on our space.
“Alex Denaro,” he said, reaching out to shake Jack’s hand. “This is my place. Once I told the doc a little of my past I figured you’d have to look into it. It’s a natural connection.”
“But you don’t think it was mob related?” Jack asked.
Denaro shook his head. “Not their style,” he said. “My family tends to be a little more dramatic. Believe me, I’d know if it was them. There’d be a lot more blood and a lot more bodies. And they’ve accepted that I’m no longer in the game. Which means I’m no longer part of the family. I stopped existing to them a long time ago. I had to build everything I have from the ground up. I didn’t have a cent to my name and had no place to live. Didn’t even go to my grandmother’s funeral. I’ve built my own empire.”
“Can you give us some names?” Jack asked. “Just so we can eliminate and aren’t wasting our time?”
“Sure,” Denaro said. “As long as you don’t go stirring the hornet’s nest. You don’t need those kind of problems. Know what I mean?”
“I hear you,” Jack said.
“I’ll get you a list.”
Jack nodded. “You know anyone who owns a black Cadillac Escalade?”
Denaro’s brows furrowed in thought. “Not off the top of my head,” he said. “But we don’t know a whole lot of people here. We’re not exactly country club material, and I’ve been putting all my time into this place. But it doesn’t ring a bell as far as any of the regulars.”
“Thanks,” Jack said. “I’ll let you know if I’ve got any other questions. One of the other guys will grab an official statement from you.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Alex said. “Whatever you need. Seems like a good time to pass out free drinks to these people since insurance is footing the bill for this fiasco.” He nodded and went to the back room.
“Everyone in here will be wasted before you can get their statements,” I said.
Jack’s lips twitched. “I’ll tell the guys to work fast. How many fatalities do we have?”
“One,” I said, nodding to the other side of the restaurant where Lily had taken control of things. “Victim’s name is David Sowers.”
“We’ll run him,” Jack said.
“Then we can see how accurate Lily was in her predictions,” I said smirking. “Our vic is the old guy with the lady in the red dress.”
Jack’s lips twitched. “You don’t have to look so excited about it.”
“I’m not saying it’s good he’s dead,” I clarified. “I’m just saying it’s fortuitous that the victim will allow the bet to be settled. There’s nothing we can do for him now but discover the truth.”
