Page 2 of Finding Justice

Chapter 2

Naomi

Iweave through the kids riding skateboards and dodge the others that get too close while shouting for Cole. I've been looking for him everywhere with no luck. Yesterday, I’d stopped to visit him after learning about what happened, but he’d run off.

Even if I wasn’t the new social worker here intend on making a good impression, I still get invested in my cases. Cole’s, however, hit a more personal note. When I was younger, kids such as Cole were a part of my life due to my mom running a youth center. I've seen the struggles they endure, the pain of their situation, and the uncertainty of their future. It’s the reason I chose the field I did. I want to help them, to make a difference in their lives as much as I can. Getting through to Cole hasn’t been easy, but I refuse to give up. Even if that means I spent my day and night trying to track him down.

"Hey," I holler to one of the teenagers cleaning his wheels.

It’s obvious he’s stoned when he glances at me. "Huh?" Stepping closer, I ask if he’s seen Cole. He takes me in from head to toe before wanting to know, "You his mom?"

Shocked and offended he’d think so when I’m only twenty-four, I harshly demand, "Do I look old enough to have a fifteen-year-old?" He shrugs and returns to his task, putting an end to our conversation. I shift to try speaking to another when someone almost crashes into me. The only reason I’m spared is because I suddenly find myself being pulled against a hard chest.

"Watch it!" The man holding me snaps to the idiot not paying attention. My eyes lift, needing to see him, and find a face made of hard contours and piercing dark brown eyes. Some may consider him a bit scary, but not me. He’s captivating, and all I can do is gawk at him as he continues his interrogation. Which is why I don’t immediately realize he’s turned his anger toward me. "What the hell are you doing?" He yells, grip tightening on my shoulders.

"What?" I almost stutter, forcing myself to stop thinking about how good he smells. I attempt to move away now that I’m thinking again, but he doesn’t let go. His hands slide down my arms and capture my wrists. He is clearly mad. At me. A stranger.

"It's eleven at night and you’re traipsing around a skate park. Are you crazy?" How dare he. His attitude is pissing me off now, so I straighten my purse strap and stiffen my spine before answering.

"I'm looking for someone." As I take in the full view of him, dark jeans, white t-shirt, and a leather jacket, my gaze lands on a badge. All my irritation with him vanishes and relief fills me. Grabbing his bicep, I plead, "You have to help me find him."

He’s surprised by the change in me, but it quickly morphs as his professionalism takes over. "What's wrong?”

"I can’t find Cole, he’s from the Youth Center." Now it’s my turn to be shocked when he seems to know who I’m talking about.

“How do you know Cole?” I explain that, then he tells me he’s been searching for him, too, and coming up just as empty. That news causes my entire body to slump in defeat. “I’ve checked everywhere I thought he could be. I don’t know what else to do.”

Leading me to his car, he admits, “He’s been acting out lately. Do you happen to know why?" His affection for Cole is hard to miss, so I share what I know.

"He's been hanging out with the wrong crowd. Stopped going to school, fighting with the director. I've tried to get through to him, but he won’t budge," I confess, tears starting to spill over due to my failure. When I feel arms wrap around me in a comforting hug, I soak up all the comfort he’s offering.

"He’s a tough kid to get close to. You can’t beat yourself up." Swiping at my cheeks, I ask if Cole did something illegal and that’s why he’s trying to locate him. On top of everything else, he does not need a criminal record. "No. I look out for him because I’ve been in his shoes." The sun has set and darkness envelopes us. Noticing this, he opens his door and invites me to get in. "By the way, I'm Clive Archer. SFPD," he introduces himself with a smile, his hand raising for me to shake it.

I do so, enjoying the firmness with which he gives it, and return the favor with my own name. "Nice to meet you. I’m Naomi Grace. Silver Falls Social Services." I swear there’s a power surge as our skin connects. He must feel it as well because his grip tightens.

"Let's get out of here."

"All right," I agree as I settle in without hesitation. Honestly, I couldn’t care less where he’s taking me because it means he’ll be with me.

What is just his presence doing to me?

Chapter 3

Clive

Simply being in the same vicinity as this woman has my body almost shaking with need for her. I’ve never had a reaction such as this. I’m surprised our paths haven’t crossed before now considering the size of this town and our professions. For a short time, she helped me escape reality and my concern over Cole. Both are back with a vengeance now.

"Where are we going?" Her voice is almost melodic and I find that I could listen to it all day.

"There’s a diner I’d take him to. He likes their shakes."

I can feel her gaze on me. “You’re involved in this as more than a cop or former resident at the Youth Center.” With a nod, I acknowledge the truth in her observation. "Do you think he's into something bad?"

While I want to give her hope, I can’t deny the possibility. "I honestly don't know. Miss Dawn mentioned him hanging around the wrong crowd, but that can be a wide range of kids depending on your view." Reaching our destination, I move to her side and help her out after parking. My heart skips a beat when she smiles in appreciation.

Guiding her inside, she immediately slips into her professional role, telling me to look around while she speaks to the manager. “Do you need a picture of him? I have one on my phone I can send you.”

"I have one, but thanks." Stopping at the booths along her route, she questions some of the kids while I talk to the staff and other patrons. Apparently, he hasn’t been there in a few days and I could kick myself for letting the investigation of the new drug take precedence over spending time with Cole.

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