“Well, hmm. You care about Chase. You two were like a pair of lovebirds back then, and I got the feeling...well, the feeling is there. But you’re not sure you trust him.”
“Okay, truthfully? I just found out he was working for the government.”
“He’s not at liberty to share that, you know.”
“You know,” she said softly.
He nodded. “I know. Being him... Okay, he is my grandson. But he’s also an amazing human being, Sky. Then again, so are you. You’re both the family of rock royalty, and yet you see the world in a bigger way. And that’s great. But don’t forget one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Your dad invented and loved Skyhawk. The rest of us... Well, he was the one who found out how we could make and record our music, he was our main songwriter. He loved the band, and he loved telling stories with his songs. Remember that. You’re truly honoring him when you get up there on that stage and channel him and all that he loved.”
“Thanks, Hank.”
He nodded. “And trust Chase. It’s not his fault he can’t tell anyone.”
“I’m not just anyone. He knew what I was doing right away, and right away he wanted to help me. But he didn’t trust me.”
“Forgive him. He has his reasons for keeping his life a total secret.”
“Right, but...it was me.”
“And I’m sure he was in torture over not being able to say anything. In fact—”
He broke off. His door suddenly burst open. A man entered, leaned against the door to shut it, and looked out through the window. While carefully studying the hall, he pulled out a gun.
Chapter Seven
Bobby Sacks was awake and aware, but just barely.
Chase should have felt relief, grateful when he spoke with the man’s doctor and was told that his arrival and quick action had saved Bobby’s life.
The doctor himself had been the one to summon Chase; there was an officer from NOPD just outside his door. Another officer had just gone downstairs with Bobby’s wife so she could take a break and get something to eat in the cafeteria.
“Also figured you might want a minute—just a minute, he’s not very strong—to speak with him alone,” the doctor had said.
Chase had appreciated his help: naturally, it was imperative to save a life first. And sometimes, law enforcement really had to wait to question a suspect or a witness.
This man had seen to it that he’d get a few minutes immediately.
Bobby opened his eyes as the doctor left and Chase stood by his bed. He winced and tried to smile. “You’re supposed to be a drummer. My wife said you’re known for taking forensics classes and that...you saved my life when she didn’t know what to do. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you’re alive,” Chase assured him. “But, Bobby—”
“Yeah, I know. I saw a guy briefly when I wasn’t really...well, aware enough to say much. I know. I don’t want others to die.”
“But you gave Brandon some weed.”
“Different lots.”
“Where did you get your drops of the drugs? Different drops?”
“I...I don’t know.”
“How can you not know?”
“I leave the money wherever I’m told to leave it. Then I get a message back. I...well, I meant to be generous with friends. I made a buy twice.”
“How do you make the buy?” Chase asked.
“The web.” He hesitated. “The dark web.”
“So you make arrangements online—on the dark web—and someone tells you where to leave money and then where to pick up the stash?”
Bobby Sacks winced as he nodded. “I never thought... I mean, I’d heard about drugs that were laced, but I never thought... It’s been a long time... When Skyhawk is playing...” He shrugged weakly. “Maybe some other times. I don’t... I don’t know. I guess that sometimes when other groups or acts are performing...”
“I’m glad you’re going to be okay, Bobby, really. Thing is, what happened to you could happen to someone else. I mean, I’m not up on the dark web, but I’ll let the cops or whoever know, and they’ll get someone to you with a computer, and you can help them find the source of whatever is going on here. I’ve got to do that.”
“I know!” he said, wincing. “Chase, believe me, I don’t want anyone dying! I don’t want anyone hurt or dying because of me!”
“Right. I’ll—”
A male nurse was coming into the room, carrying a tray with a shot of medicine to be added to Bobby’s IV.
“Hey,” he said, greeting them both. “Doc just ordered this for you. It will take me two seconds. Oh, I’ve been asked to tell your visitor he’s been here long enough. You need to get some rest.”
Chase glanced at the needle. There seemed to be something off. It should have been an ordinary procedure; he’d seen the staff add medications to his grandfather’s IV often enough.
