Page 11 of Cross & Crown

we’re going to treat you as a witness and put you under

protection. Bal istics are telling us there were at least two

shooters. One was standing behind you, clipped you in the

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head.” Nick tapped his own head in the area where JD was

bandaged. “Killed at least one of those two victims.”

“Just one?”

“The other bullet hasn’t been recovered yet. We’ll know

more soon. But until we get to the bottom of this, you need

to be safe. Whoever did this won’t know you can’t ID them

when they find out you aren’t dead.”

JD nodded. He glanced up at Nick, his blue eyes piercing.

“You don’t have to dance around it, Detective.”

“Pardon?”

“I know I’m a suspect. It’s okay. You don’t have to mince

words.”

Nick met his eyes for several seconds, letting JD see what

suspects usually saw: a hardened, intelligent cop who would

put them behind bars if they made even the tiniest of slips.

“All right then. Youarea suspect. Our only suspect, right now.”Despite his show of bravado, JD blanched. Nick couldn’t

help but feel sorry for the guy. Not knowing who he was or

what kind of man he was, it had to be terrifying. Add to that

the fact that he was facing a potential murder charge? He had

to be reeling.

Nick took his notepad and a pen from his pocket and

placed it on the table, then slid it toward JD. “I’m going to

go arrange for somewhere for you to stay tonight. While

I’m gone, try to write down anything about yourself you can

think of.”

JD frowned. “Like what? I already told you I don’t