Chapter 5

“Don’t worry, kiddo,” Philip said. “It would take an army to get you out of this house right now. You’re here for as long as you want to be here, no matter what anyone else says.”

“Where are Jeff and Rob?” Steve said.

“Asleep just across the hall,” I said.

“Are you in a lot of pain?” Philip said.

“I hurt everywhere. Especially down there,” he added, gazing toward his groin.

“That’s because the bastard evidently kicked you in the balls,” I said. “Both of them are swollen pretty badly, and there’s an ice pack down there to help with the swelling.”

“Steve, you lie back and concentrate on getting better,” Philip said. “Charles and I will take care of everything. We’ll take care of your mom, and we’ll see to it that Frank goes to jail. Okay?”

“Okay,” he said, and closed his eyes.

There was a knock on the door, and Goodman said, “Dr. Butcher is here.”

Dr. Butcher came into the room and said, “How’s the patient?”

“Awake and talking,” I said.