Fire Point by Sean Black Page A

physical presence but not the way Ty had it. There weren’t many people who would turn down a polite request from the six-foot-four, former Marine.
    Marcus managed a weak ‘Mom?’ but she was already shooing away the kids. ‘They just want to talk, Marcus.’
    Lock fell in on the other side of Marcus and they walked him into the living room. Ty closed the door behind them. Lock gestured for Marcus to sit down.
    ‘What is this? Are you cops?’ said Marcus.
    Lock stayed standing. ‘Private security. Your mother was concerned about you. She wanted us to make sure you were okay. That’s all. Nothing you have to worry about.’
    ‘Well, I’m fine,’ said Marcus, getting up only to find Ty’s hand pushing him back down.
    ‘We ain’t done getting acquainted yet, son,’ he growled.
    Marcus sighed and took a swipe at the curly hair that had fallen forward over his face. ‘I said I’m fine.’
    ‘When were you last at your apartment, Marcus?’ Lock asked.
    Marcus shrugged. ‘Like three days ago. I’ve been staying with friends. Why?’
    Lock studied his face. ‘We visited your apartment yesterday with your mom. Someone shot out one of the glass balcony doors. Then they took a shot at us.’
    Marcus seemed surprised. It was hard to tell if he was acting or genuine. Lock always looked for the speed of reaction. Someone who reacted too fast to news like that usually knew it was coming. Either Marcus didn’t know or he’d prepared.
    ‘A shot? Like a gunshot?’
    That came off to Lock like someone trying a little too hard to play the innocent. ‘Yeah,’ said Lock. ‘Bang. Bang. You know anything about that?’
    Marcus got up and walked to the window. This time Ty let him go. ‘Maybe. I mean, I can’t be sure, but . . .’
    ‘You can’t be sure about what?’ said Ty.
    Marcus turned round. He looked upset. He wasn’t faking that. ‘How much has my mom told you?’
    Neither Lock nor Ty replied. They both just stared at him.
    ‘She tell you about the girl at USC?’ Marcus asked.
    ‘She didn’t, but we made it our business to find out,’ Lock said.
    Marcus didn’t reply. Lock could tell that his answer hadn’t gone down well, judging from the fleeting expression of rage that flitted across the young man’s face.
    ‘She has friends. Well, a boyfriend,’ said Marcus. ‘Maybe it was him that took the shot. Or one of his buddies. They’re like big-time jocks, think they’re tough guys.’
    ‘With guns?’ said Ty.
    ‘Maybe,’ stuttered Marcus. ‘I don’t know.’
    ‘You been bothering her again?’ said Lock.
    ‘No! No way. It was stupid. The whole thing. I didn’t even do anything to her. Just some notes and stuff. She was a bitch anyway.’
    Lock looked at Ty. They’d both registered some real emotion there. The girl was a sore point.
    ‘Did her boyfriend or any of his friends threaten you, Marcus?’ said Lock.
    Marcus shrugged. ‘Maybe like stay away from her. Stuff like that. I didn’t think they’d use a gun.’
    ‘And did you stay away from her?’ said Ty.
    ‘Like I had a choice. Not that I’d want to go anywhere near her anyway. Like I said, she’s a cun––’
    Lock held up a hand, cutting him off. ‘Ladies don’t like that word. I don’t much like it either.’ He turned to his partner. ‘You like the C-word, Ty?’
    Ty solemnly shook his head. ‘Nope. Disrespectful. Don’t think your momma would like it either.’
    ‘Okay. Well, I haven’t breached my court order. And as for guns or people firing them, I don’t know anything about that. Now, can I go? I mean, if you’re not cops you can’t keep me here, right?’
    ‘You can go,’ said Lock. ‘Thanks for your help. We’ll look into what you told us.’
    ‘Good,’ said Marcus, stalking out of the room. ‘I hope you do.’
    He opened the door and slammed it behind him. They heard him thudding up the stairs.
    ‘What do you think?’ Lock asked Ty.
    ‘I think he’s one lying little motherfucker,’ said