The man’s fingers splayed, his large hand gently cradling the back of the boy’s head. Against the man’s suit, the boy’s face appeared smudged with dirt and his nose ran—gushed—the snot and saliva pooling on the expensive material.
“She could,” Sam answered, his large body swaying as he spoke. “She just wouldn’t. She hasn’t for at least the last twelve hours. She said she needed H and without it, she couldn’t take care of him.”
“She refused to care for her own child,” Mason asked, “because her demands were unmet?”
While I simultaneously asked, “Did he cry the whole time?”
Sam nodded to Mason and turned to me. His expression softened. “No, sir. Ryan and me, we’ve been taking turns holding the boy. I don’t give a fuck about that piece-of-shit druggie in there, but this boy, he doesn’t deserve to suffer any more than he has.” Sam’s cheeks rose as he looked down at the more content child.
“Sam,” Ryan called from the doorway.
We all turned as two brunette women entered. I knew the taller one immediately. “Jana,” I greeted, surprised to see her. “You’re here for the kid?”
“Mr. Murray, Mr. Pierce.” She smiled as she reached for the young boy, taking him from Sam. “Thank you, Sam.” She looked up at the big man. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re a big softy?”
“Not anyone who wanted to live,” he said with a gleam in his dark eyes.
Jana scoffed as she situated the boy on her shoulder. As she moved, a string of what I hoped was drool seemed attached to Sam’s jacket. I’d been right; his suit would need to be dry cleaned.
“Marsha called me,” Jana offered as she smiled down at the boy, still dirty, but much more content. “This won’t be the first little one my husband and I’ve helped.” Her voice changed, growing an octave higher. “Hi, little guy.”
“Gordy is his name,” Marsha said as she made notes on her phone. Marsha looked up at us with a business-like stare. “Mr. Murray. Mr. Pierce. I told Mr. Kelly I had plans this weekend. I said I’d change my plans, but when I suggested Jana, Mr. Kelly said it would be all right to let her help.”
Neither Mason nor I gave a fuck; however, it was customary for Marsha or anyone else to explain when plans changed.
With his dirty and matted blond hair, Gordy rested his head upon Jana’s shoulder. His long lashes fluttered as his body moved with a deep sigh and his dirty thumb went into his mouth.
“I’m going to get him a bath, some clean clothes, and a good meal,” Jana said. “We have space and a portable crib where he can sleep. We’re happy to help. Just let me know when you’re ready to pick him up.”
“Thank you, Jana.” Mason escorted the two women out into the hallway. For a moment, I wondered about allowing them to walk alone through this big building. That thought lasted only a moment. I’d never met Marsha before, and at about Lorna’s height with long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, she didn’t look the part, but her reputation preceded her. From what I’d heard, she could give Mason a run for his money on interrogation. She had her stint in the military along with a shitty excuse for an ex-husband for both her training and resourcefulness.
What was left of that ex-husband was now slush at the bottom of an acid barrel, and Marsha was a loyal Sparrow. The only reason Marsha wasn’t questioning Zella was because Mason insisted on handling her personally. Only the future would tell if Zella was better off with Mason. My money was on the third option—either way she was fucked.
I looked over at Sam. “I expected Marsha to be...” I searched for the right word.
He lifted his chin. “If you’re going to say taller, I agree, Mr. Murray. But I wouldn’t say tougher. Damn, that woman is as tough as they come. I’ve seen her paint one or two houses and come back for more on the same night.”
Mason returned and looked at the closed door.
If Zella was still yelling, her volume had decreased.
“She isn’t pounding on the door,” he commented.
“No, sir,” Sam said. “She’s chained to the register. We got tired of her attitude.”
Mason nodded. “Thank you, Sam. I’ll need a cleanup crew here tomorrow morning.”
His eyes widened. “Not sooner.”
“No need to rush,” Mason said with a grin. “You and Ryan patrol the ground level. I don’t