Sully looked at the bruising around Leo's face and asked whether he could stand. Leo nodded and tried, but the pain made him stop halfway. One of the other riders, a woman with a braided ponytail and a first-aid kit attached to her motorcycle, came forward and asked if she could check him. Leo agreed because she asked permission before touching him.
"My name's Tess Navarro," she said. "I'm an emergency medical technician when I'm not riding. We're going to make sure you can breathe comfortably, okay?" Her voice was brisk, ordinary, and so free of drama that Leo nearly began crying. She moved him into the shade of the awning and gave him water slowly rather than letting him empty the bottle in one desperate swallow.
Hank watched with growing fury as attention moved away from him. He stepped toward Sully, holding the bat as if it might restore some of the old rules. "The kid's a thief," he announced loudly. "He ran from a licensed foster home and stole expensive property. I've got a deputy right here who can tell you that."
"What property?" Sully asked. He did not seem surprised by the accusation, only interested in its exact shape. Hank took the silver lighter from his pocket and held it up. The skull engraving flashed, and several of the nearby riders exchanged glances.
"This," Hank said. "Caught him carrying it. Says some biker gave it to him for free."
Sully extended his hand. "Let me see that."
Hank hesitated, then placed the lighter in Sully's palm as though handing over evidence that would settle everything in his favor. Sully turned it over and brushed his thumb across the familiar engraving. For one beat the old garage returned to him: the skinny boy at the bench, the careful inspection, the refusal to call a temporary repair permanent. The man standing in front of him had tried to turn that small act of trust into another accusation.
"He didn't steal it," Sully said. "I gave it to him. Three days ago, right here, after he helped me when my bike was wrecked and I was bleeding."
Hank opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again. "You don't understand," he began. "That kid manipulates people. He lies. He's been a problem since he arrived."
Sully's face hardened. "I understand you hit a boy who's already hurt. I understand you took something he was given. And I understand your deputy was standing right there when it happened." He stepped closer, forcing Hank to look up at him. "You want me to understand anything else, you're going to have to start with the truth."
Hank raised the bat a few inches, more reflex than intention, and Sully's reaction was immediate. One broad hand caught Hank's collar and pushed him back against the side of the silver truck. The movement was brief but frightening, loud enough to make Leo flinch in the shade. Hank's face changed from anger to outright panic as he realized he could not control the person holding him.
"Sully," Tess called. She did not shout. "Leo can see you."