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happen? To Steve, I mean. He’s got all those kids, right?”
    â€œI don’t know. I’ve got my own problems.” Kim got up and started to pace back and forth in her small kitchen. “Shit, if Frankie went to the station first, he probably came here after. What am I going to do?”
    Carmen tried to smile. “You’re the only friend I’ve ever had, honey, and as much as I hate to say this, you’d better get out of Tampa. Take that Atlanta job. After the other night, Frankie’s gonna keep beatin’ the shit out of you whether he finds out about last night or not. What you told me about him wanting kids and you don’t. That’s a blow to his macho ego and that fucking guy’s in love with you. You told him your career is more important to you than he is? He can’t handle that.”
    Kim’s eyes welled with tears. “You’re right. I’m so scared. And his work stuff scares me too. The people in Miami he’s dealing with — his plans for here.”
    Carmen nodded. “I’ve heard some stuff in the Ybor clubs about his boss. You know it’s Carlos Tosca in Miami?”
    Kim shook her head. “Whoever it is, I know he’s dangerous.Carmen, you better keep your mouth shut out there. These guys don’t fool around.”
    â€œLike I don’t know that. That’s why I brought you this.” Carmen proceeded to remove an object from her purse and laid it gingerly on the table.
    â€œThat’s a gun.” Kim’s eyes were wide.
    â€œYeah, a pistol or a revolver? I don’t know shit about guns. The guy I got it from did tell me it’s got a hair trigger, so be careful.”
    Kim stood back, shaking her head, dilated eyes still focused on the weapon. “Carmen, are you crazy? I’ve never even shot a gun.”
    â€œDoesn’t matter, there must be some kind of a safety. Right? Don’t all guns have one?” Carmen gingerly rotated the gun in her hand, inspecting. Then she shrugged and set it down on an end table.
    â€œLook, that’s why I came over instead of calling. You tell Frankie you lost your house key. It happened to me once, a busted key chain, you know? So you got back here after work and then you went back to the station to look for it, but you couldn’t find it, and you spent the night there. Totally deny anything that kid said about Nelson, okay? That’s for starters. And this,” she indicated the gun, “is for protection. Understand?”
    â€œOkay,” Kim said slowly. “Okay, honey, I’ll try the key thing — and this. Thanks.”
    â€œBest you get somebody to show you how to use it.”
    â€œUh-huh. Maybe I’ll ask Steve. He knows about guns.”
    â€œGood.” Carmen smiled. “Listen, I’m back in NA. Got a new sponsor. I’m really gonna make it this time.”
    â€œOh, Carmen, I hope you do. I’ll help you all I can.”
    â€œYou already have, saved my life so many times. That’s why I’m here.” Carmen got up and hugged Kim, avoiding her friend’s bruised cheek. “I’m sure gonna miss you, but you have to get out of here, Kimmie. You gotta get out from under Frankie’s influence.”

CHAPTER FOUR
    Laura tossed her canvas bag on the kitchen counter, reached for a fresh-baked oatmeal cookie, and glanced up at the clock. Not bad, five thirty. All week she’d managed to get home at a decent hour by postponing all but emergency cases. For the first time in ages, she’d been home five nights in a row for dinner.
    â€œMarcy?” She knew her housekeeper couldn’t be far. Pots bubbled on the stove and the smell of roast beef made Laura realize she’d skipped lunch.
    â€œHey, home early again.” Marcy Whitman clucked as she headed for the stove, grabbed a spoon and started stirring a pot. “You’re cheating. I make the kids wait until after dinner