Chapter Eleven
West
I relaxand let my shoulders uncoil the second I see the cop car out in my driveway. I’m still leery thought, and when I pop my head out of the door, I keep one arm and the gun back inside.
“Can I help you?”
The door opens, and huge, bear of a man uncoils from it. Instantly, I grin and drop the rest of my reservations.
It’s not just a bear of a man, it’s Bear, the local cop.
“You got a gun on me, West?”
I grin and step out from the door, raising the gun up and putting the safety on.
“I was wondering if it’d be you coming out here.”
He nods. “Well, I come in peace. Gerard called me and told me what the fuck is going on.” He sighs and blows air through his lips. “That’s some shit that went down on the pier earlier, buddy. I’m not sure if running off was the smoothest plan you’ve ever had.”
I scowl. “Had to, man.”
“Nah, I get you,” Bear growls, and I do mean growls. There’s a reason they call the pushing-seven-feet-and-pure-muscle guy “Bear.”
Bear and I aren’t as close as Gerard and I are, but we’re close enough, and I know that’s why Gerard called him direct about the whole thing. He and I have only had a few interactions, but if Gerard calls him friend, I’m good.
“Well, I’m glad to hear you got the girl out of there.”
I nod and start to head down the stairs to him. “Look, I know how this looks, and I know it’s not an ideal situation—”
“Hey, relax, West,” Bear grunts, raising a hand up. “Listen, you served with Gerard, and he vouches for you like a brother. That’s more than good enough for me. You did good, West, and things are fine. I’m going to need a statement from the both of you, but I’ll make sure the force knows why you ran from the scene.”
I frown, and he nods. “We can do it right here, even. No need to bring her down to the station. I’m sure she’s been through enough…” he frowns as he trails off, his eyes dropping as if just realizing I’m just in a pair of shorts.
Slowly, he grins. “So… guess there’s gonna be some questions I don’t get to ask, huh?”
I eye him, my jaw clenching. “Correct.”
He chuckles and holds his hands up. “None of my business, brother. I just need the statements and to make sure she’s okay. That alright with you?”
I nod. “I can work with that.”
He chuckles. “Well gee, West, glad you agree to the terms of uniformed law enforcement.”
I shrug, and he shakes his head.
“Look, Gerard also told me your theory. I think you’re right, five guys with full autos doesn’t make any damn sense for a fuckin’ donut stand.”
“Cinnamon buns.”
He rolls his eyes. “Tomato-tomato, West. I’m saying you’re right, it doesn’t add up in the slight—”
The driver’s side window to Bear’s police SUV suddenly shatters, and the sharp crack of a shot thunders through the air.
“Down!” Bear roars, dropping to the sand and reaching for his service gun.
Bullet holes spray across the side of his car, and suddenly, he grunts and flinches.
“Bear!” I lunge behind my rack of surfboards, then duck my head back out to see him clutching his arm, grimacing.