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followed you home, but if you never saw them, why do you think that?”
    Nathan ducked his head as he blushed and mumbled, “Um, I was looking at a guy’s ass at the Grind. One of his friends saw me do it and took offense. He told me I was going to regret it.”
    “So were there only two guys or were there more?”
    “There were four of them.”
    “Do you think you could identify them if you saw them in a lineup?”
    Nathan shook his head, looking miserable. “No, the whole time they were in the coffee shop, I was busy making coffee. I just glanced up and noticed the one guy’s body because it was hard to miss, especially from behind.” If possible, he flushed even redder. “But I never made eye contact with any of them. I know better than that. I try to keep my head down and stay out of people’s way. I sure didn’t go looking for any trouble.”
    Eddie snorted and raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t think looking at a guy’s ass would cause a problem?”
    “I didn’t realize one of the other guys would see. Besides, when you were seventeen, I bet you checked out every girl’s rack who walked by.” He scowled at Brian again as he pointed toward him. “And I know you just saw him check out Toni’s ass,” he growled. “It’s just a natural thing for a guy to do.”
    Eddie backed down and mumbled, “Point taken.”
    Brian smirked at Eddie for a moment before refocusing on Nathan. “Is there anything else you can think of that might help our investigation?”
    “No, I don’t think so.”
    “Have they told you when they’re letting you out of here?” Brian asked.
    “Yeah, it should be either tonight or tomorrow morning, depending on what the doctor says when he checks me this afternoon.”
    “Okay, well, we’ll be in touch. Get some rest kid and let your body heal. Here’s my card if you have any concerns, questions, or remember anything else.” Brian extended his hand.
    Nathan surveyed it and looked for a moment like he was going to refuse as he pressed his lips together. Whatever Toni had told Nathan about him, he planned to hold it against him.
    So he added, “Detective Walters’ information is on there, too, if you’d feel more comfortable calling him.”
    Nathan gave a sharp nod of his head and reached to take it. He leaned back and closed his eyes, his face almost as pale as the pillowcase. Well, the parts without bruises anyway. Brian swallowed against the anger again. How hard had they been hitting him to cause that kind of extreme bruising? Toni was right; he was a good kid who deserved better. The simple fact that the kid was protective of her proved that much.
    As they exited the room, Brian pulled the door closed behind him, but didn’t see Toni. He really wanted to talk to her before they left, so he turned to face Eddie. “I’ll catch up to you at the station. I have something else I need to take care of here.”
    Eddie gave him a knowing look. “Feeling a hankering for some coffee of your own, huh? So what’s the story between you and the girl? There’s a history there.”
    Brian glanced down the hall and lowered his voice. “She was Pete Larson’s girlfriend.”
    Eddie’s eyes widened. “Wait a minute. Are you telling me that sweet little thing is the one who killed Pete and saved your life?”
    Brian clenched his jaw. “Yes.” Pete had been a fellow policeman. He’d missed—they’d all missed—the warning signs of depression and madness. It had almost cost him his life. It had cost him a kidney, but it cost Toni a lot more. She’d shot Pete dead. She hadn’t had a choice, but that didn’t make it any easier for her to live with the fact that she’d taken the life of someone she cared about. He knew better than most how devastating that had been for her.
    “And now she’s caught up in this mess,” Brian continued. “I just want to make sure that there aren’t any surprises for her and that she and Nathan are both taken care of. I owe her that much.” And