Page 115 of Misguided

“Hey, Sonya,” I call out, catching her before she disappears.

The matron of our club spins and immediately graces me with a smile. I like her, Sonya. She’s always been like an aunt to me since I first started hanging around. Never says a bad word about anyone who doesn’t deserve it.

“How can I help, Dog?”

“I left you a little somethin’ in the chiller.”

She rolls her eyes. “What is it now?”

I’ve played a few pranks in my time.

“Nothing bad. I promise. Just go have a look, yeah?”

She places her hand on my forearm. “Okay. But if you’ve—”

“I promise,” I urge. “Go look.”

She squints a little as she smiles, and then nods. “Okay.”

King gestures for me to shut the door as I enter his office. “How was the trip?”

“Good. Left Sonya the best parts of an eight-pointer.”

“Nice.” He lifts both eyebrows and nods in approval.

“Probably could have got another if I didn’t have to rush back.”

“Take a seat.”

I gesture to the bloodstained clothes I have on. “Probably best if I don’t.”

“Right.” He nods, unlocking his filing cabinet, and reaching into the second drawer. “I got this for you first thing this mornin’. Texted you right after.”

He hands me a stiff envelope: registered mail.

“Don’t know what’s inside, but thought that” —he taps the “urgent and confidential” stamp— “meant I shouldn’t leave it until you were ready to come back.”

I flip it over and frown as I recognize the name of Leidend’s lawyer on the back. King leans a hip against the cabinet as he watched me tear off the perforated strip, and slide the crisp sheet of paper out from inside.

My eyes take the words in, but my brain doesn’t want a part of it.

“What does it say?”

I lift my gaze to King’s. “It’s a subpoena to testify against my brother.”

“The guy who was here the other day?”

“Yeah.” I read the details again. “He's bein' investigated for fraud. Says here I can give the testimony by video conference.”

“Damn. Sorry, brother.”

I nod in thanks to King’s sentiment, trying to work the finer points out for myself. Why would they need me, a guy who’s never been on Leidend Industries’ payroll, to give evidence? What could I possibly say that would help or hinder his cause?

“I guess I better call the old man and find out what the fuck’s goin’ on.”

“Here.” King gestures to his desk. “Use my office. I’ll step out.”

“You sure?”