“What do you think we’re trying to do?” Harp asked. “We’re asking you.”
“I don’t mean me. I mean from someone official. Like, you know, the sheriff’s department?”
“If we do that,” Barney said almost in a whisper, “they’ll kill her.”
“What?” Logan was sure he’d misheard him.
“Are you sure you don’t want that beer?” his father asked.
“No, Dad. I don’t want a beer. I want to know what the hell you guys are talking about.”
“Whoa. Calm down. No need to get all up—”
Suddenly a tired voice called out from behind them. “I…I could use a little help.”
5
Logan turned.
Tooney was standing at the end of the short hallway that led back to the master bedroom, leaning against the wall for support.
Harp and Jerry were the first out of their chairs, but Logan was the first to reach him.
“Shouldn’t you be lying down?” Logan asked as he put his arm around Tooney, allowing the older man to lean against him.
“I lay down long enough already. Besides, I’m hungry.”
“We can bring you some pizza to the bedroom,” Logan suggested, then tried to turn Tooney around, but the older man showed surprising strength for a guy in his condition, and didn’t budge.
“I want to eat in here.”
“Bring him over to the table,” Harp said.
Logan wasn’t so sure that was a good idea, but it seemed to be what Tooney wanted, so he carefully led him over, and helped him into a chair. As soon as Tooney was settled, Barney had him open his eyes wide, asked him a few questions, then declared him healthy enough to eat. Sometimes it paid to have a doctor around, Logan thought, even a retired one who was apparently okay with lying to the authorities.
“Any news?” Harp asked.
The rest of the men stopped what they were doing, interested in the answer. But Tooney shook his head. “Tried five times. Same as before.”