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“Fletch said the captain is throwing around names. He also said that, when he was asked to confirm, he didn’t fuckin’ lie.” I slap the faucet to switch it off, then I tear paper towels from the dispenser and dry us both. “Fletch said I have to be there at nine, or arrest warrants are going out.”
“No.” She straightens her stance and shakes her head. “No way. Fletch absolutely did not sell us out like that.”
“He fuckin’ did!” I boom, so even those outside the door will hear me. “He did, Minka. He just told me with his own words.”
“No.” She turns from the sink and lifts her chin. “You must’ve mixed up your messages. You’re tired, Archer. You haven’t slept properly in days, or had a real meal. You’re on edge and ready to hurt people because they’ve hurt me.”
“Minka—”
“If Charlie was snitching, then why the hell did he call and give you a heads up? Huh? Why would he toss you to the wolves when he knows men have died for less?”
“I don’t know! But I’m not sticking around to test any fucking theories. I move you elsewhere, get you a new name, a new life, then we figure out the rest.”
“I’m not leaving Copeland!”
I try to pull her to the door, but she’s strong, despite her ordeal over these last couple of days.
Tugging me to a stop, she digs her heels in. “I worked my ass off to earn the job I have, Archer. And you did the same!”
“Neither of us will have a job if we’re in prison,” I snarl. “Why are you fighting me on this?”
“Because I have a family here now.” Her beautiful eyes flicker with heartache and cut me off at the knees. “I have you, Archer. And Aubs. And the team at the George Stanley. I have Tim and Fifi, and Felix, and Cato, and—”
“You can keep Cato, Tim, and Felix, babe! They’ll be able to come to us after.”
“And Aubree?” she shoots back. “What about her, huh? Or Fletch. Or Mia.”
“Fletch isn’t on our side!” I grab her hand and feel guilty when I yank her too roughly. But that temporary pain is a small price to pay in the face of the destruction and loss I’ll feel if the captain has her arrested, and we’re separated forever. “You’re clutching at straws, Mayet. He doesn’t want us.”
I swing the bathroom door open and reveal our audience, watching us with open mouths.
They definitely heard me shout at her.
“We’re leaving.” I drag Minka to the nurse. “Give her the pain meds. Aubree,” I glance her way. “Organize the prescription for us? We need to go.”
“What’s going on?” She shifts her gaze between us.Should she listen to her boss, or her boss’ cop husband?“Minka, I don’t—”
“What’s wrong?” Tim circles the bed and pulls me halfway toward the door before my brain has a moment to catch up. He pins me in place and forces me to see him. Only him. “Speak. Now.”
“Minka and I are part of an open investigation.” I don’t say why. I don’t mention the vigilante. But I stick as close to the truth as I can manage. “The captain wants to ask us some questions.”
“So make him come here,” he bites out. “She’s not fit to leave.”
“She is. She will be.” Because she doesn’t have any decent alternative. “I just need her pain meds.”
He stares into my eyes. Demanding I tell him more. But I’ve lived my life defying him and everyone else with the last name Malone. So I hold my ground and wait.
“Fine.” He lets go of my arm and looks to Minka. “I’ll escort you both to your apartment.”
“Nope.”
When Aubree appears with a plastic bag of pills, I take them from her so they rattle, then I point at the nurse, who wields a needle, and show her my badge. “Jab her, then we’re out of here.”
“Th-the hospital is in lockdown,” she stammers. But she squeezes the meds into Minka’s veins. “You can’t leave, and no one can come in.”
“I can leave,” I assure her. “And I will. Police orders.”
I circle around to Minka’s other side and hold her up. “You can remove those ports on your own, yeah?”
