My 6-year-old granddaughter phoned me in panic just after midnight. “Mommy says the baby is coming! Help!” I asked, “Where’s daddy?” She answered, “He k!cked mommy’s tummy and left.”…..

Delmare Pike was under the hood of a rusted Ford when Harry walked in. His wiry frame bent over the engine like a man performing surgery. Delmare. Delmare straightened, wiping his hands on a rag that had seen better decades. He was 53. All senu and scars with pale blue eyes that missed nothing. Harry heard about Cassidy on the scanner. How is she? She’ll live.

Baby, too. Harry leaned against the workbench, but Trent Huxley put them both in the hospital. Delmar’s expression didn’t change, but something dangerous flickered behind his eyes. That so beat her so bad she nearly bled out. Deputy Timonss thinks it was just a domestic dispute that got out of hand. Timonss is a bot man.

Delmare said flatly. Has been for years. Trent’s got him on a leash. Harry had been counting on Delmare having useful information. The mechanic serviced half the vehicles in the county and had a memory like a steel trap when it came to other people’s business. “Tell me about Trent’s operation,” Harry said. Delmare glanced toward the garage entrance, then moved to close the bay door.

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