Dr. Nadeem entered the waiting room holding her clipboard under her arm.

Scott stood. “How is he?”

“He’s fine.” She smiled underneath her dark blue hijab.

“Thank god.” Bobby exhaled.

“Was it a heart attack?” Scott asked.

“It was angina.”

“What’s that?” Bobby scratched his cheek.

“It’s common for people with heart disease like Napoleon. It happens when there isn’t enough blood flowing to portions of the heart. I prescribed medicine for it so he has to take that along with his current medication.”

“How did this angina happen though?”

She looked at Scott. “It’s brought on by stress or too much activity.”

Bobby sighed, leaning his head back. “That damn chest.”

“Yeah.” Nadeem nodded. “He told me he was moving furniture. He’s a stubborn old boy, isn’t he?”

“You ain’t lying,” Bobby said. “Will he be able to go home tonight?”

“Yes, he’s changing into his clothes now.” Nadeem pointed to the room by the water fountain. “Be my guest.”

“Thanks,” Scott said.

Napoleon sat on the exam table buttoning his shirt when Bobby and Scott entered the room.

“What the hell, Napoleon?” Scott hugged him. “Trying to give me and Bobby heart problems too?”

He snickered. “No big deal.”

“No big deal?” Bobby gaped. “We thought you’d had a heart attack.”

“I’m fine now as you can see.” He pointed to the black Adidas on the floor. “Pass me my shoes.”

Scott handed them to him. “You had no business moving that chest.”

“I can move anything I want in my house.” He slipped his shoes on and tied them. “I’ll take it easy from now on.”

“You better.” Lita rushed past Scott and Bobby and hugged her uncle. “Don’t scare me like that again. I thought I’d lost you.”

“I’m sorry, sweetie.” He rubbed her back. “I get tired of having to tiptoe around certain things.”

“You have heart disease,” Bobby said. “You gotta accept it. Next time you need something moved or anything call me or Scott okay? You promise?”

“I promise.”

“All right.” Bobby hugged him. “Because the next time you pull a stunt like this, it won’t be your heart that’s gonna kill you.” He tapped Napoleon’s head. “It’ll be me.”

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Scott said. “I was so worried.”

“Got a funny way of showing it,” Bobby mumbled.

“Okay, you’ve been giving me attitude all night. What’s your problem?”

“Boys,” Napoleon said. “Knock it off.”

“The problem is you should’ve picked up the damn phone.”

“I told you my phone was charging, and I didn’t hear it ring.”

“Why not?” Bobby squinted. “Occupied?”

“As a matter of fact I was.”

“With what?”

“None of your damn business.”

“Let me guess.” Bobby flinched. “Does it have something to do with Rachel?”

“Who’s Rachel?” Lita asked.

“Never mind.” Scott smiled at her. “Look, the most important thing is Napoleon is okay.”

“He’s right, Bobby.” Napoleon gestured to him. “Leave it alone.”

“Why should I leave it alone? He runs to the outskirts of town for Rachel but won’t answer his damn phone for his family?”

Napoleon groaned. “Bobby—”

Scott lunged at his brother. “What the hell is your problem?”

“My problem is my idiot brother who’s risking his life for a woman he doesn’t even know. She’s playing you, Scott. Wake up.”

“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

“The hell I don’t.” Bobby grimaced. “She’s a con artist if I’ve ever seen one. Her and that guy she met at the motel. What hold does Rachel have on you?”

Lita moved from the table. “Who’s Rachel?”

“I’m sick of you acting like I gotta explain myself to you,” Scott yelled. “I don’t owe you a fucking thing.”

“Boys, enough.” Napoleon got off the table. “Stop it.”

“Hey!” Dr. Nadeem stood at the door. “What in the world is going on in here?”

Bobby and Scott separated, huffing.

‘This man has just been brought in for heart problems caused by stress,” Dr. Nadeem said. “And you two are carrying on like apes right in front of him? He needs rest and relaxation.”

“We apologize,” Bobby said.

“Apologizes are not enough, Detective. Mr. Zavala has a serious heart condition and doesn’t need to be exposed to this type of behavior.”

“I’m fine.” Napoleon straightened his pants. “It’s nothing I’m not used to.”

Nadeem glared at Bobby and Scott.

“Once again, we’re sorry.” Scott nodded. “We want Napoleon healthier than anyone.”

“I hope so.” Nadeem left.

“She’s right,” Napoleon said. “You gonna act like you got sense?”

“If he minds his own business.” Scott pointed at Bobby. “If I want to see Rachel then it has nothing to do with him.”

“Oh yeah? Then remember that the next time you ask me to find out what she’s up to.” Bobby left.

“He’s wrong about Rachel,” Scott said to Napoleon. “She’s a nice person. She’s just in some trouble, that’s all.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“Is Rachel your girlfriend?” Lita asked in a faint tone.

“No.”

The sparkle vanished from Lita’s eyes as if she expected further clarification but he didn’t know what to say.