Page 39 of Parting Shot

“And someone broke your arm?”

“Aaron––”

“You were shot?”

“Why are you⁠—”

“Let me understand. You were detained, bones were broken––”

“It was just my––”

“A bone was broken,” he amended, “you were shot, and then you were in the hospital. Do I have the sequence correct?”

“Well, yeah, but you have guys who could have reported all that back to you if you wanted. I mean, I get that you were busy fighting your dad and trying to keep him from taking away your company and everything else. You didn’t have time to check on⁠—”

“Stop,” he ordered. “I was waiting for a call, and then I was furious, and now I’m something else altogether.”

“Yeah, but you don’t hafta be anything. Everything’s fine. Our timing was just crappy, and⁠—”

“Duncan.”

“No, come on, Aaron. We still can’t be seen just hanging out. Your little brother was just looking out for your best interests because that’s how he⁠—”

“Duncan!”

“It’s fine. I get it.”

“You don’t get anything, and neither does he!”

“But it’s been a while, so—” I exhaled sharply. “—water under the bridge, right?”

Silence.

“Aaron?” I was shifting from one foot to the other, anxious but not understanding why.

“So, the day my brother came to the hospital… they simply allowed him in?”

It was a weird topic change. “What?”

“You were recovering, were you not?”

“Well, yeah.”

“And the police let my brother in to see you, just opened the door right up for him.”

“No, of course not.”

“Right.” Quick, sharp exhale. “He had to be announced. Yes?”

“Yeah.”

“They asked your permission for him to enter the room.”

“What does this have to––”

“Answer,” he commanded, and his tone was sharp.

“They did.”