“BecauseMendezwasgoingtostabyou!”

“Hey, Jordan, you’re doing that thing again. Just slow your roll, buddy. Have you been working auctions part-time or something?”

I sighed and tried to uncloud my fatigued brain. “Like I said, Mendez was going to stab you. Or did you miss seeing the giant hunting knife pointed straight at your stomach?”

“Of course I didn’t. I was about to knock it out of his hand when you got in the way, and well, I had to hit you.”

“What do you mean, you had to hit me?!”

Tom shrugged. “You got in the way. I had to defend myself, especially in front of Jodi. I couldn’t look like a tool.”

“So you let me look like a tool.”

“Man, don’t worry. I don’t even think Jodi noticed you. In the same instant you took off your mask, I knocked you out and you fell face down.Then Jodi and I left right after.”

I grimaced, still tasting dirt in my mouth. “But how did you realize Mendez was in on it?”

“Well, I called your cell after I dropped off Jodi and he picked up. He told me everything.”