Chapter 88
“Paul,” Montana said, waking him gently the next morning.
“Hmmmm?” he moaned, turning back over.
“Come on, wake up. I know we got back late, but come on.”
He grunted again in response. “uhhh uhhh.”
“You have a call,” she said, giving him another shove.
“Tell them I died.”
“It’s the husband of the woman who was shot in the arena parking lot last night.”
“Jesus, Mon!” he exclaimed, jumping out of bed. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“What do you think I’ve been trying to tell you for the last five minutes or so? It’s not my fault you’re grouchy in the morning.”
“Between the excitement of last night and then your attack on me when we got back here, I didn’t get much beauty sleep.”
“I don’t recall you complaining about the ‘hero’s welcome’ part last night, mister,” she teased.
“Wonder how this guy got the number?”
“At this point, who knows and who cares?”
“I hope this dude isn’t some kind of psycho.”
“I seriously doubt it, Paul. The man’s poor wife was shot last night. Go talk to him.”
Paul had talked to the man for awhile while Montana showered and packed their things, getting ready for their flight home. The conversation had lasted at least forty-five minutes before he finally ended the call.
“How is everything?” Montana asked when he was finished.
“You won’t believe it,” Paul said.
“What? Did something go wrong?”
“On the contrary. They named the kid after me and Spanky. That’s where he got the number. Evidently, Mimi talked to him at the hospital last night, gave him Brian’s number, he called Brian, who told him what I did to the wife, and then gave him my number. By the way, she’s doing great and probably will be out of ICU in a day or two.”
“That’s wonderful!”
“Anyway,” Paul continued, “Ted–that’s the guy’s name–said Kristen, his wife, had had some trouble being stalked by her ex in the past. Evidently she was at the show last night with a couple of friends and was on her way to a coffee shop to meet them when the ex decided to use her for target practice. That’s who Brian saw, took off after, and of course, ambushed and held down till the cops got there. Of course, that part is pretty funny to picture, though.”
“How so? I don’t find someone shooting their ex very funny.” Montana shook her head.
“Oh no, not that. The guy that shot Kristen is like over two hundred pounds, and shit, we’ve all seen Spanky. I knew I loved that little fucker for some reason. Talk about the size of the fight in the dog.”
“Yes,” Montana agreed. “Still, I’m just glad he didn’t get himself hurt or worse, killed.”
The phone rang again; Paul checked the Caller ID. “Hey, speak of the devil,” he grinned before answering it. “Hey, hero. What’s happening?”
“If anyone deserves the ‘hero’ title, it’s you, dude,” Brian replied. “Did the pregnant lady’s husband call you? I kind of gave him your number. I hope you aren’t pissed.”
“Actually, not at all. I just talked to the guy. He seems pretty cool. He tell you about the baby?”
“Yeah. A kid named for us. Imagine that. Poor baby might be scarred for life.”
“Oh I don’t think so!” Paul laughed. “Actually, it will make quite a story when the little guy gets older.”
“Shit!” Brian exclaimed.
“What?”
“Dude, Mimi just showed me the paper. The shooting is in it on the second page.”
“Damn, are you serious?” Paul asked.
“Yeah. They got our names in the article and shit.”
“Oh fucking hell.”
“Guess the whole universe will know by now.”
“We got plenty of time before our flight. Why don’t you two come over and we can check stuff out on the laptop?” Paul suggested.
Montana shot to attention. “Check out what on the laptop?”
Paul told her.
“Wow, good news spreads fast. Let me turn it on,” she replied eagerly.
“Hey, you want to stop by the hospital later before we leave to see if they will let us see Kristen?” Paul asked.
“I don’t see why not,” Brian responded. “By the way, we’ll probably get a summons or something to come back for court as witnesses once they get this thing there. I don’t know if anyone told you or not.”
“Oh yeah, I think someone said something about that last night before we came back here.”
“Who would have thought a normal show night would end like this?”
“Yeah, especially after you hosted the Kiss Cam?” Paul laughed. “And I got to chase you around afterwards.”
“Does this mean you’re still going to kick my ass?”
“Nah,” Paul replied. “I think you tackling and holding down a gunman was getting yourself in enough danger.”
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