Chapter 47

Myron sped and made it to the hospital in ten minutes. Lance Banner was waiting for him. Joan Rochester is still in surgery. What happened?You want his story or hers?Both . Dominick Rochester said she fell down the stairs. They've been here before. She falls down the stairs a lot, if you get my drift . I do. But you said there were his and her stories?Right. She's always backed up his before . A nd this time?She said he beat her up, Banner said. And that she wants to press charges . That must have surprised him. How bad is it?Pretty bad, Banner said. Several broken ribs. A broken arm. He must have pounded the hell out of her kidneys, because the doctor is speculating about removing one . Jesus . A nd, of course, not a mark on her face. The guy's good . Comes with practice, Myron said. Is he here?The husband? Yeah. But we've got him in custody . For how long?Lance Banner shrugged. You know the answer to that . I n short: not very . Why did you call me? Myron asked . Joan Rochester was awake when she came in. She wanted to warnyou. She said to be careful.

What else?That was it. It's a miracle she got that out. Rage and guilt consumed him in equal measure. Joan Rochester could handle her husband, Myron had thought. She lived with him. She made her choices. Gee, what would be his next justification for not helping her she'd been asking for it?Do you want to tell me how you're involved in the lives of the Rochesters? Banner asked . A imee Biel isn't a runaway. She's in trouble . He filled him in as quickly as possible. When he finished, Lance Banner said, We'll get an APB out on Drew Van Dyne . What about Jake Wolf?I'm not sure how he fits in . Do you know his son?You mean Randy? Lance Banner shrugged a little too casually. He's the high school quarterback . Has Randy ever gotten into any trouble?Why are you asking?Because I heard his father bribed you guys to get him off a drug charge, Myron said. Care to comment?Banner's eyes turned black. Who the hell do you think you are?Save the indignation, Lance. Two of your fellow finest braced me on Jake Wolf's orders. They stopped me from talking to Randy. One punched me in the gut when I was cuffed . That's a load of crap . Myron just looked at him . Which officers? Banner demanded. I want names, dammit . One was about my height, skinny. The other had a thick mustache and looked like John Oates from Hall and Oates . The shadow hit Lance's face. He tried to cover it . You know who I'm talking about . Banner tried to hold it back. He spoke through gritted teeth. Tell me exactly what happened . We don't have the time. Just tell me what the deal with the Wolfkid is.