Page 51 of Hell Hath No Fury

“Do I want to know why you’re facing down delinquents outside one of our favorite bars?” Fergusson asked with a healthy dose of sarcasm.

Matthias had called Fergusson twenty minutes ago after disarming the young gangster. He’d placed several other calls since then, but Fergusson didn’t need to know about them. “Depends. Do you want the gun I confiscated?”

Fergusson tugged on a glove and held out his hand, into which Matthias deposited the semi-automatic. The trooper scowled. “I thought you Erie detectives knew enough not to handle evidence without these.” He wiggled his gloved fingers.

“I decided it was more important to secure the weapon as quickly as possible. The kid wasn’t going to wait for me to follow protocol.”

“Don’t suppose you got an ID on any of them.”

“I asked. He decided to rabbit instead of complying.”

Fergusson grunted. “You said there were three of them. What’d they look like?”

“I’d guess they were fifteen or sixteen years old. Two were five foot eight or nine. The lead dog was closer to six two. All were skinny. The smaller two were sandy-haired, blue-eyed. The taller one had brown hair and hazel eyes.”

The troopers exchanged a knowing look. “We know exactly who they are.” Fergusson dropped the gun into an evidence bag. “Let me guess. The shorter boys looked like they were about to crap their pants when you didn’t back down.”

“Yep.”

“Okay. Thanks.” Fergusson handed the bag to Lukan, planted his hands on his hips, and glared at Matthias. “Now, why are you here? And where’s your girlfriend?”

Matthias had anticipated the first question and had been weighing his answer since he’d placed the call about the gun he’d seized. The second question he decided to ignore. “I was told Nell Anderson might frequent this establishment.”

Fergusson reacted with surprise. “You mean to tell me you don’t know where your girlfriend’s sister is?”

Matthias didn’t reply.

“I understood she was with Baker.”

Matthias still didn’t reply.

“So, is she here?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t make it that far before I saw those three fine, upstanding examples of the younger generation eyeballing my wheels.”

Fergusson chuckled. “Yours wouldn’t be the first vehicle in this neighborhood to end up on blocks.” He wiped a hand over his mouth as he eyed the structure. “How long have you been sitting here?”

“Not quite a half hour.”

“Have you seen any activity? Anyone at all coming and going?”

“Just the three amigos.”

Fergusson glanced at his partner, who shook his head.

Matthias could tell they were having a silent conversation. “What am I missing?”

“We’re not going in.” Lukan’s tone was soft but firm.

“I wasn’t asking you to.”

“No,” Fergusson said, “butyouwere thinking about it.”

“I was thinking it looks like the kind of place where backup is a good idea.”

“You’re right.” Fergusson lowered his voice to a whisper. “There’s a task force investigating the Highlander. They wouldn’t appreciate a pair of state cops going into their territory and making folks nervous, if you get my drift.”

Matthias folded his arms. “I don’t look like a cop.”