Blood & Water

Chapter 17

The quick and easy hit had turned into an utter disaster of epic proportions. Coco, still bleeding, regaled Bishop with the story of what had happened and what the situation was when he left.

"I ain't heard from em' since," Coco shrugged.

"Goddamnit, Angel," Bishop grumbled despite knowing it wasn't really his fault. "You gotta get checked out and cleaned up. I'll send Hank and Riz back up to the house."

"Think Pena can help?"

"I think this is way over Pena's head," Bishop said mournfully. "But she might have some information."

Coco nodded, wanting to walk away from the swirling storm that hung over them, and took Gilly with him to their doctor.

Hank and Riz left not long after but, instead of going to the house, they headed to the hospital after a head's up from EZ via text. They didn't bother to ask anyone when they arrived, instead, they moved quietly through the halls as if they belonged or at least had an idea of where they were going. They met EZ in Carrie's room where Joey and Angel were sleeping in a spare bed they had rolled in at Heimler's request. Riz smiled at the sleeping father and son but Hank went right to work.

"What the hell happened?"

EZ looked guilty already. "Carrie walked in early, Jimenez was dead and Coco and Angel had to slip out. She freaked. They didn't have time to stage anything or think up a good story."

Hank huffed. "So what's the story?"

"Angel told her it was a Galindo hit, that it was either Kevin or her that had to go." Seeing Hank was angry with Angel's cover, EZ continued. "She already figured it was him, there was no way she'd think it was anyone else. She told me she knew someone was going to get hurt after they had her on the pew. Said it was just a matter of time."

Hank nodded and glanced over at Angel. "Where is she?"

"They took her for a test," he gestured out the door, "I think she's right down the hall."

Looking at Riz, Hank nodded and watched as the older man left to sneak around the corridors. It was no secret that Angel was sensitive, most of them had soft spots they tried to hide and protect, but Angel seemed to have a bigger one than most.

"And him?" He asked, looking at Angel as he snored quietly with Joey.

"He feels shitty," EZ shrugged. "She's really crushed, it wasn't like she hated him."

"Yeah," it wasn't hard to understand. "And what's the story that got her here?"

EZ looked uncomfortable, he couldn't hide it. "Since it was connected to us, to Angel, Carrie tried to uhh, make it further removed."

"What the hell does that mean, Boy Scout?"

"She told them someone busted in the house, attacked her, and killed Kevin."

Looking surprised, Hank shook his head. "What did she do that needed tests?"

"She uh, slammed her head into the sink," EZ huffed.

"Jesus Christ," Hank said with a chuckle. "Angel better watch himself."

"She's fucking nuts," EZ said, not as amused as Hank in that moment.

Carrie felt just as nuts as EZ was assuming as she laid back on the table for the ultrasound. She was silent, her hands shaking, as the tech told her what she was doing. The quick swishing of the baby's heartbeat filled the quiet room and Carrie immediately broke into tears.

"Are you okay?" The tech asked while handing Carrie a tissue.

"Yes, just overwhelmed," she sniffled. "How far along am I?"