Page 85 of Brick

“Drop your weapons,” Rosalee bellowed, the threat in her voice clear.

The blanket fell away from Brick.Natalie quickly bundled it around her.It wouldn’t do a damn thing to protect her if another bullet flew, but she also didn’t need to flash anyone.She was naked beneath Taschen’s sweatshirt.

“Not a fucking chance,” Brick retorted.“You lower yours first.”

“You’re failing to obey a police order,” Tommy snapped.“Drop your weapons or—”

“You fucking helped Keetan.You kidnapped Bray.You let Keetan disappear with Natalie.Why?You working for Club East, too?”

From between the two men’s shoulders Natalie watched, shaking, as Rosealee blinked and swung her uncertain gaze to Tommy.

“That’s quite the accusation,” Tommy growled.“A bullshit one at that.Now for the last time, drop your weapons and put your hands in the air!”

Rosealee didn’t utter a word, but her weapon shifted to point slightly toward the ground.What Brick had said must have planted doubt in her mind.

Brick raised his hands, directing his gun in the air but not putting it down.“Now you,” he said.

“All right, everyone stay calm.”Rosealee lowered her weapon further.“We don’t want anyone else getting hurt here, Brick.Natalie needs medical attention, and I want to see she gets it.”

“Good,” Brick said.“Now talk some sense into your partner.”

“Not happening.”Tommy took a step back, sweat visible on his brow.“You.”He signaled to Taschen.“Come forward.Lower your weapon.”His face was pinched and red and his gaze darted between all of them, his confidence gone.Rosealee was visibly concerned, and she held out her hands toward Tommy as though calming a horse.

Natalie would bet any money Tommy had helped Keetan escape with her today.A memory rushed to her mind.“Hang on,” she said.

Brick didn’t turn to look at her, but his head tilted an inch.“What’s up, babe?”

“Do you still have Keetan’s phone?”

Taschen chuckled, probably realizing where her mind was going.“Reach into the pocket of that sweatshirt you’re wearing.”

She did as he’d said and pulled out Keetan’s phone.The heavy metal band sticker assured her she had the right device.She entered the new password and pulled up his contact list.

Her fingers shook as she found Tommy’s name.Just to be sure, she hit call.Two seconds ticked by.Oh god, maybe they were wrong.All this tension for—

Ring,ring

Natalie tied gazes with Tommy.

“That doesn’t mean shit,” he snapped.“We’re coworkers for Christ’s sake.”

She brought up the call history.“You called him at 4:45p.m.this afternoon.”

Taschen whistled.

“For the record,” Brick said, “that was minutes after he kidnapped Natalie.”

Silence filled the air.

“Officer Fisher, what the hell is going on?”Rosealee hissed.“Put your weapon down.”

Tommy took another step back.“No.You’ve got it wrong.I don’t know a damn thing that Keetan was involved with.I called him because...”His voice trailed off as he choked on the lie he couldn’t produce.

Rosealee glowered.“You can explain later.Right now, you need to—”

Crack!

A bullet whizzed past Natalie’s cheek.Brick was immediately on her.He threw her to the dock and covered her body with his.She screamed, covering her face.Shouts and grunts sounded.