He even asked Austen about it. Austen has a sister but even if they split it two ways, that's got to be a helluva lot of money."
"I'm going to get some extra uniforms up here to watch over him and recommend he hire a private security firm or extend his fee to include Solomon's team. He needs professionals, not his construction foreman."
"Do you really think his life is in that much danger? I figured he was hit so the assailant could get to Sophie."
"Yeah," said Garrett, "I do. And I'm putting out a BOLO on Zach Gallo while I verify if he was the one behind today's attack. Jeez. What a mess this is."
"There's still something not right about it, but I can't put my finger on it," I said, stepping back to lean against the wall. "I wish I could."
"You've given me the motive for the assault and I think there's a good argument for attempted murder. Once I confirm Zach's presence, this will be wrapped up."
"Not for Austen. Whatever happens with Sophie, this will stay with him for the rest of his life."
"You got past being engaged to an asshole," said Garrett.
"Only after I made some terrible choices first," I reminded him, hoping he wouldn't ask me for a list of every misadventure. It was a very long and largely embarrassing list, and those were just the bits I remembered. "Plus, it helped that I didn't actually marry him."
"I'm not sure whom I hated more: your ex-fiancé, Daniel's ex-wife, or Serena's ex-husband."
"Tough one," I agreed. "Although we all knocked it out of the park when it came to our current spouses."
"Agreed," said Garrett. "And neither Solomon nor Delgado scare me, no matter what they think."
I arched my brows even though I tried to keep the skepticism from showing on my face. "Sure."
"I'll keep you updated," said Garrett. "I need to interview Mr. Ortega and check into the hospital cameras and see if this Zach guy turns up. I can't tell you how happy I am to add this to my caseload."
"I heard the Mackleton case isn't going so well."
"I hate to say it but all of our leads hit dead ends. No one saw or heard anything. Even the bullet didn't offer any clues. Unless I catch a break, his file may well land on the unsolved list."
As Garrett left, Alice returned. She changed out of her scrubs into jeans and a light sweater and carried a small backpack over her shoulder. "I have to go," she said. "I might just be on time to pick up the kids from their class today if I hurry."
"Can I get a ride with you?"
"You didn't drive here?"
"No. I still don't have a car and Solomon gave me a ride. He would have come in but he got an urgent call."
"Sure, you can ride with me. I can drop you off wherever afterwards. Ben and Rachel will be excited to see you again."
"Cool." I grinned. I adored my niece and nephew, especially as they were nowhere near as devious as Garrett's younger son and their cousin, Sam. Not that I adored Sam any less, but sometimes, it was nice not to fear having a heart attack every thirty minutes. After checking in on Manny and finding him resting, assuring him once again that neither Austen nor Sophie were hurt, we left him with Garrett and headed to Alice’s car. On the way to the kids' art class, I told Alice that I delivered bad news to Austen and expected he was glad to see the back of me.
"He wanted someone, you, to tell him the truth. He already had his suspicions. You know that."
"It doesn't make it any less sucky."
"So what are you going to do now?"
"Check in on him and find out if he wants extra security. If not, I guess I'll prepare his bill in case he says he's heard enough." I sighed. Something still niggled at me.
"What is it?" asked Alice.
I shook my head. "I don't know. I guess I keep thinking about what a brilliant actress Sophie is to go from being a wild drug addict to someone so sweet and well-liked. From a dive bar to an eloquent expert on art. Two entirely different people."
"Do you think Zach orchestrated the whole thing? Or were both of them in on it?"
"I don't know. Zach sounds like a nasty piece of work, and that's from the people who know him as well as my own experience. He’s a