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early in his time on the streets. He was only about thirteen when I’d met him. Jason was no longer at risk of being sent back to his parents or whatever situation he’d run away from; he’d turned eighteen a couple months ago, but he still hid his past from me. For some reason he was still afraid he would be sent back, and that told me enough.
    “He doesn’t talk about it,” I answered. “I think you and I have been around long enough to suspect what it was, but I don’t push him.”
    Dan grunted. “That’s probably why he still talks to you. You’ve always presented yourself as being on his side.” I didn’t comment, knowing Dan would object to my revelation that I was on Jason’s side. I would protect him from anything I possibly could, including if he got into any trouble with the police. The kid had been through enough. He was also willing to help me with cases when other street people were too scared to speak up or just unwilling to talk to the cops.
    The radio squawked and I bit back the grin that threatened to escape as the uniformed cops on the scene reported that ‘the kid’ had run off while they weren’t looking. “He’s taught them very well,” I repeated, still hiding my smile.
    “Yeah, talk to the cops, but don’t get detained,” Dan said with a quick grin. “I’m sure he’ll show up at the alley. They all will.”
    The good humor was quick to fade as I turned my thoughts back to Jason. “There was so much blood,” I said quietly, staring at my blood-covered hands. I gagged slightly and Dan reached to put his hand on my shoulder.
    “He’ll be fine. A little ice to stop the bleeding, some sutures, some massive pain meds, and he won’t even be able to tell you he was hurt.”
    Dan pulled the car into the hospital parking lot and said, “Go wash yourself off; you’ll feel better. I’ll ask about Jason and meet you at the nurse’s station.”
    I just nodded and exited the car. I walked into the emergency room and quickly located the bathrooms. Jason’s blood was staining my hands, and I needed it off. I turned the water on as hot as I could stand, and scrubbed.

FIVE
    Jason
     
     
    The screaming of sirens brought me out of the pain-free darkness, but I couldn’t open my eyes. My head was throbbing, and as I became more aware, I realized there was something putting pressure on a very painful spot. I tried to reach up and feel my head, but my arms wouldn’t move. I was lying on a cot-like bed with straps around my legs and arms, as well as across my chest and stomach.
    Adrenaline poured through my body as I began to lash out against the restraints; I quickly felt hands holding me down at the shoulders.
    “Jason, stop,” an unfamiliar male voice commanded. Had I ended up with Mason’s men even after Alice showed up? Fingers pried my eyes open one at a time and I winced at the sudden bright light. The figure at the other end of the bright light was blurry, and he let my eyes close again.
    “He has a concussion, probably doesn’t know he’s safe,” the voice said quietly, as if speaking to a different person. He didn’t sound like he wanted me hurt, but I didn’t hear Alice with him, so I couldn’t trust that I had been rescued.
    “Let me go, please. I won’t tell anyone,” I pleaded as well as I could, but my voice was hoarse. “Please, let me go.” Repeating the plea did no good, and the bindings remained as secure as they’d been when I woke.
    “Jason, you’re in an ambulance. We’re taking you to the hospital. The restraints are there for your protection,” the unknown man kept trying to convince me, but I needed more reassurance than a strange man could give me.
    “Alice, help me,” I whispered.
    “Detective Farrow will be seeing you at the hospital,” the man’s voice said again. He was speaking softly, and the voice was oddly soothing. He’d said Alice would be at the hospital. Could it be true? Was I actually away from Mason’s men?
    “Can you