Chapter 18

“What happened between you and your boss?”

I could hear traffic on I-13, horns blaring endlessly.

“We got into a fight before he rode off with his buddies.”

“Did you tell the cops?”

A headshake.

“You need to go down to the police station and tell somebody what really happened that night,” I said.

“Don’t be a d-bag.”

My face felt hot. “Rocco, you are in serious trouble. You need to come clean with the police.” I touched his arm. “I’m here as a friend, someone who cares. I’ll be by your side.”

“It’s not so simple.”

“Why not?”

He paused, drew a deep breath. Sighed. Then, “His biker friends threatened to hurt me if I talked to the police.”

“That’s a better reason why you should tell somebody.”

He shook his head. “Dean’s friends are fucking scary. Big, muscular, mean dudes. I don’t want anything to do with them.”

“You’re not thinking clearly, Rocco. You need to tell the cops your side of the story.”