“Pinball machines.” Steadier now, Zack walked back to the bed. “Some girl named Marcie or Marlie. Remind me to pump you on that little number later.” It pleased him to see a faint smile curve Nick’s lips. “You asked for french fries.”

“What can I say? It’s a weakness. Did I get any?”

“No. Maybe we’ll sneak some in later. Are you hungry?”

“I don’t know. You didn’t tell me how long.”

Zack reached for a cigarette, remembered, and sighed. “About twelve hours since they finished cutting you up and sewing you back together. I figure if he’d shot you in the head instead of the chest, you’d have walked away whistling.” He tapped his knuckles on Nick’s temple. “Hard as a rock. I owe you one, a big one.”

“No, you don’t.”

“You saved my life.”

Nick let his heavy lids close. “It’s kind of like jumping off a ship in a hurricane. You don’t think about it. Know what I mean?”

“Yeah.”

“Zack?”

“Right here.”

“I want to talk to a cop.”

“You’ve got to rest.”

“I need to talk to a cop,” Nick said again as he drifted off. “I know who they were.”

Zack watched him sleep and, since there was no one to see, brushed gently at the hair on his brother’s forehead.

“I told you his condition is good,” Dr. Markowitz repeated. “Go home, Mr. Muldoon.”

“Not a chance.” Zack leaned against the wall beside the door to Nick’s room. He was feeling a great deal better since they’d brought his brother out of ICU, but he wasn’t ready to jump ship.

“God save me from stubborn Irishmen.” She aimed a hard look at Rachel. “Mrs. Muldoon, do you have any influence with him?”

“I’m not Mrs. Muldoon, and no. I think we might pry him away once he checks in on Nick. My brother shouldn’t be with him much longer.”

“Your brother’s the cop?” She sighed and shook her head. “All right. I’ll give you five minutes with my patient, then you’re out of here. Believe me, I’ll call Security and have them toss you out if necessary.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“That goes for that giant who’s been lurking around the corridors, too.”

“I’ll take them both home,” Rachel promised. She looked around quickly as the door opened. “Alexi?”

“We’re finished.” He couldn’t keep the satisfied gleam out of his eyes. “I’ve got some rounding up to do.”

“He identified them?” Zack demanded.

“Cold. And he’s raring to testify.”

“I want—”

“No chance,” Alex said quickly, noting Zack’s clenched fists. “The kid figured out how to do it the right way, Muldoon. Take a lesson. Keep him in line, Rach.”

“I’ll try,” she murmured as her brother hurried off. “Zack, if you’re going in there to talk to him, pull it together.”