Page 4 of Matlock
“I’m sitting right here!”
“I can fucking see that,” Tony growled. He looked back at the sheriff. “Let’s go then.” He spun to glare at me. “Don’t say a fucking word to anyone at the hospital. You are now a fucking mute. I don’t care if someone asks you what color the fucking sky is, you say nothing. Do I make myself clear?”
I nodded. I knew he’d be mad, but I hadn’t expected this.
Chapter Two
Matlock
I was going to fucking kill him! What the hell did he think he was doing? How many fucking times did I tell him to let the club handle it? But he wouldn’t fucking listen to me.
I pulled out my phone and called Keys.
“What do you need?” he asked, his voice sleepy.
“Go over to Simon Nelson’s house and get him some clothes. Meet me at the hospital.”
“On my way.”
I liked Keys. He did what I asked of him, and he didn’t question me. I’d used him on more than one occasion when I needed adiscreetinvestigation into a client. Or an opponent.
I followed the sheriff’s SUV to the hospital, pulling up behind him and parking my car in the lot. I jogged over to the entrance as Simon climbed out of the car.
When my eyes finally scanned him, I noticed just how much blood covered his body. I didn’t know how much of it was his and how much was Alan’s. There was no question in my mind this was about Alan fucking Sanders. I should have taken the motherfucker out myself.
My eyes reached Simon’s, and I saw what I’d missed. I closed my eyes against the emotion I saw. When I opened them, I shook my head, silently reminding him not to open his mouth.
I followed behind him as the sheriff led him to the nurse’s station. Nurse Sally directed us to a curtained room and instructed Simon to get undressed.
“Gentlemen, please give Simon some privacy.”
“Chain of custody, Sally,” the sheriff said as I growled, “No.”
“Matlock,” Sally started.
“I said no.”
“It’s fine, Sally.” Simon stood up and began to undress.
“What did I tell you about opening that fucking mouth?” I snarled. I knew I was being over the top, but I’d be damned if I let Simon go down for this. I knew he didn’t do it, but until I got him alone, I couldn’t grill him for answers.
Simon pressed his lips together and glared at me.
“Put this on, Simon.” Sally left a hospital gown on the bed.
As he undressed, he handed each item of clothing to the sheriff, who put them into an evidence bag until he was standing naked in the room. The sheriff had turned to the side out of respect as Simon reached for the gown, but I couldn’t control the growl that rumbled out of my chest knowing that someone else was in the fucking room.
Simon smirked, and I growled deeper.
“I need to get a few pictures, Simon. As well as some fingernail scrapings. Then I’ll take your statement.”
“Not until after I’ve talked to him.”
“Matlock,” the sheriff sighed.
“Not until after I’ve spoken to him,” I reiterated as I glared at the sheriff.
“Fine,” Declan relented and did what he needed to do to gather his evidence. Evidence that I would have thrown out for one technicality or another. It was what I was good at.
