Gun

“Knives only?”

“It was in the mall parking lot. I guess they didn’t want to create a scene, and gunshot wounds are an automatic report by hospital personnel. Knife wounds are not.”

The car is running when we reach it. Another security officer, Randolph, is at the wheel. He takes off as soon as the doors are closed.

Marco continues his debriefing. “There were four assailants. One died, two were injured badly. The fourth escaped in an unmarked black Ford. The two that are injured are at the hospital. I don’t know if we’ll be able to question them.”

“I take it despite the lack of gunshots, someone notified the police?”

“Yeah, a new intern trying to be helpful.”

“I’ll call Chief Jones.” I dial up the man that I give a million dollars to every year for precisely times like these.

“Ackles, it’s been a while.” The head of the police sounds wary.

“I don’t like to bother you as I know you’re a busy man.”

“So you only call for important matters?”

The chief has always been smart. “Precisely. The