Yet the one thing that hadn’t changed was the fear. Fear that I wouldn’t be a good dad. Fear that Mazzie would decide not to have the baby. While I was terrified, I was beginning to come to terms with the notion that I might actually want to have this baby, which was all kinds of nuts.
The doorbell rang.
Coach and his security guard friend from the Silver Spur Casino were right on time. Today was D-Day to pay Shane the three grand Kurtis owed him, and I wanted to be done with this mess.
The bag of money that I’d picked up that morning from my mom was sitting on the kitchen island, reminding me of every mistake Kurtis had made.
Ryker escorted Coach and a hefty man in his late thirties, who had a high and tight haircut, into the kitchen.
Coach was dressed in his usual khaki pants and a golf shirt without a logo. His bald head looked shiny as he gave me a nod. “This is Kristoff. He works security at Silver Spur.”
I shook the hand of the buff man, who had tattoos on his arms. He had Semper Fi inked on his left arm, which told me he was a Marine. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” he said. “Your coach tells me that your father owes Shane money.” Kristoff regarded Coach. “Did you fill him in?”
“You only told me this morning,” Coach replied. “I haven’t had a chance.”
Ryker, who was standing between the stove and island, watched and listened.
I found a spot at the edge of the island with my back to the sliding glass door. “What’s going on?”
“I’m happy you brought your coach in with this problem,” Kristoff said, standing opposite Ryker. “Lucas, I don’t know what prompted you to set up this plan, but I want to thank you. I can’t say more than that.”
I regarded Coach, as did Ryker.
“Just listen to Kristoff,” Coach ordered.
“The Feds have been watching Shane since he was released from prison,” Kristoff said. “He’s started up his drug ring again. His father has kicked him out of the casino. But Shane has been lurking around, trying to sell his drugs to gamblers going in and coming out. I watched the video tapes of the night you two were there.” He raised his sharp chin at Ryker then me. “Your father had a run-in with Shane’s buddy Josh Turley.”
I could feel my eyebrows drawing down. “That’s right. Is Josh involved?”
“I’m not sure.” Kristoff said. “But here’s how I suggest you handle this today. Keep it civil and quick. No egos.”
“They’ll be perfect altar boys,” Coach assured him.
“You sound as though you won’t be here,” Ryker said to Kristoff.
“I’m going to be upstairs unless there’s a room down here where I can make myself scarce. If there’s trouble, then I’ll handle it.”
Ryker and I exchanged questionable looks.
I had to ask. “Are you a Fed?”
Kristoff grinned, showing a crooked bottom tooth. “I’m here as a courtesy to your coach. But yes, I’m DEA.”
This was turning out to be bigger than I expected. I was relieved that my mother wasn’t here. She’d argued that she should be present, but I’d won the argument.
“There’s a large laundry room in the hall.” Ryker pointed to the opening that led to the garage.
Just as Kristoff took his leave, the doorbell rang.
This should be simple, but I was finding in my world, nothing was that easy. I wondered, though, if Josh had accompanied Shane.
“I got it,” Ryker said quickly.
Coach came to stand beside me. “Remember, civil and quick.”
“I can’t thank you enough for helping me with this.”
