You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 516

Out of nowhere, a beat-up gray van with no plates shot out from a side alley. It barreled straight into the crowd blocking the north end, sending guys flying in every direction.

The van screeched to a halt and the side door was yanked open. A voice—icy, sharp, and way too calm for the chaos—cut through everything. Brandon actually jumped.

“Get in.”

He didn’t hesitate. He grabbed his rookie and shoved both of them inside.

The door slammed shut behind them and the van lurched forward, mowing down anyone still in its way. It wasn’t until they’d sped out of the alley that Jackson finally let go of the wheel, wiping sweaty palms on his jeans.

“Man, I’m slipping, Mr. Lantz,” he said, half-laughing, half out of breath.

Before Brandon could answer, his apprentice muttered with a huff, “Don’t tell a guy he’s slipping. It’s basically a curse.”

Jackson just shrugged, totally unfazed. He fished a lollipop out of his pocket, steering with one hand while he tore off the wrapper with his teeth. Only after he’d popped it in his mouth did he say, “Let’s be real—if we hadn’t shown up, you two would be pushing up daisies by now.”

The rookie grumbled, “It wouldn’t have happened that fast.”

Patricia had been silent the whole ride, lost in thought. She didn’t say a word until they pulled up at the police station. The apprentice hopped out first, and then Patricia finally spoke up, voice low and clear. “This investigation isn’t going to go smoothly. Emerson’s got time now to figure out a backup plan. Worst case, he’ll disappear overseas before anyone can stop him.”

“Be careful,” she added.

Brandon wasn’t surprised. He glanced over at Patricia. “Why were you even there tonight?”

Jackson answered for her, no filter at all. “Saving your skin, rookie. Why else?”

Brandon just pressed his lips together and didn’t argue.

Jackson held out a hand. “Phone. I’ll put a tracker on it. If something happens, we’ll come running.”

“No thanks.”

“I just want the truth. That’s all I care about,” he said quietly, meaning he wouldn’t get dragged into anything else.

After Brandon left, Jackson, lollipop still in his mouth, muttered, “Total chicken.”

“Seriously, I finally met someone more uptight than Aiden. How does a guy like that survive in this world without learning a little flexibility?”

“Even dead bodies know to float when the water rises, but this guy? He’s stubborn as a brick wall. No wonder he’s single and not in charge of anything.”

“No money, no wife, no status. All he’s got is that thick skull.”

Patricia rubbed her temples, listening to Jackson rant.

“Where do you even get these weird insults?” she asked.

Jackson just grinned. “Nine years of public school, Patricia. I know how to keep the good parts and collect all the best trash talk.”