Page 38 of Power of the Mind

I offered a tight, unimpressed smile. “No. It’s not. How come your friends took off?”

The man-child shrugged.

“What are you doing here?”

Another shrug. “Do I need a reason to park in a parking lot?”

“I’m asking for one.”

“Well, it’s none of your fucking business.”

“You kiss your mother with that mouth? How about some respect? You got a name?”

“Who wants to know? I ain’t doing nothing wrong. I can sit here all I want.”

“License and registration,” Diem barked over my shoulder with the perfect amount of growl to his tone.

The guy leaned forward to look around me, still showing no signs of intimidation. “You got a badge?”

“Relax, kid.” I shifted to block Diem from view.

“Fuck you. You’re not cops. I know cops, and you ain’t them. Why are you busting my balls?”

“How do you know we aren’t cops?” I thumbed over my shoulder. “You don’t get a cop vibe from him? Not even a little?”

The kid seemed less sure as he stole another glance around me at Diem and muttered, “No.”

“Well, he used to be a cop. He’s much worse now. He’s a mob boss and wearing an ill-fitting wool suit in August, which makes him extra cranky. Still wanna give us attitude?”

“For fuck’s sake,” Diem growled from behind.

I chuckled. “See? Cranky.”

The kid’s expression conveyed utter confusion.

“Okay, fine, he’s not a mob boss, but he’s giving off killer Al Capone vibes, isn’t he?”

“What the fuck is going on?” the kid asked. “I’m just sitting here, minding my own business, and you guys are giving me a hard time. I’ll call the real cops if you don’t leave me alone.”

Diem’s oversized hand wrapped around my upper arm, and he dragged me away in a flash. “Enough. You’ve had your fun. Say goodbye.”

“I gotta go,” I yelled at the kid. “Stay in school, bud. Don’t do drugs. Get a haircut, or at least wash it from time to time. Oh, and your rap should be a crime.”

Diem marched me right into the lobby of Dr. Hilty’s building before releasing me.

“What the fuck are you doing?” he growled.

“That was awesome. Do you think we scared him?”

“No.”

“But it was fun, right?”

Diem’s face said he didn’t agree.

“Come on, Guns. Life doesn’t have to be serious all the time. Live a little. Let your hair down.” I flashed my attention at his shaved head. “Well, you know what I mean. Have fun.”

“Can we get this over with so I can go home and change? I’m hot.”