Tribe (33 page)

As the medics started rolling Rick out, Zeb called across the room to Martha, “Mom, I'm going to the hospital. Are you okay with Ribka? You and Suzanne can watch her?”

“Of course, dear. She'll be fine.”

Without hesitation Zeb hurried after the medics and the gurney, but Todd didn't move. Nor did Janice.

Once Zeb was out of earshot Todd asked, “If he knows that much, does he know about me?”

“No. Not yet anyway.” She reached over and took him by the hand. “Come on, Zeb shouldn't be alone at the hospital. You'll drive me over there, won't you?”

“Absolutely. And I'll stay too, that is, if three won't be a crowd.”

“Don't be ridiculous. I think this is going to be a long night, and hell, we've got to talk about something, don't we?”

Todd glanced back at Rawlins, who'd overheard most of the conversation and assured Todd that things were well taken care of.

“I had Jeff call the station, so there'll be a couple more cops here in a minute.” Rawlins grinned. “Hey, good luck, man. I want to hear all about it—I'll be waiting.”

“You'd better be.” Todd reached over, pulled Rawlins into his deep embrace, and into his ear whispered, “I'm scared.”

R.D. Zimmerman
is the Lambda Award-winning and Edgar-nominated author of numerous mysteries. Under the pen name of Robert Alexander, he is the author of The New York Times bestseller,
The Kitchen Boy
, and other historical novels. For more info:
www.robertalexanderbooks.com