Page 68 of Yolo

“The front entrance, apparently,” I answered. “And poor Rooster’s exhausted. I’m not sure he’s ever had to work that long before.”

“We’ll get him whipped into shape up here.” He chuckled, making me smile. “Always lots of work to do around here. I’ve heard you’ve already made a big difference. Sometimes we have officers on hand that speak the languages, but sometimes we don’t. It’s nice to have someone here that’ll be able to help.”

After today, I could definitely see the need for it.

“I…” I trailed off when I heard the yelling.

Japanese.

I had a basic grasp on the language, but I was still learning.

I did, however, understand most of what was being said.

I moved farther into the room as the man yelling said in Japanese, “If you don’t do something about this man, I’m going to shoot him in his cold, dead heart!”

I immediately waded in saying, “Sir. Please slow down and start over. I’m learning Japanese right now, but I only really know the basics, so work with me, please? What’s going on?”

I could tell his tension immediately faded at my voice.

Germaine’s presence at my back had my heart rate slowing.

Irate men standing with me front and center slightly scared me.

“There’s this man that keeps staring into my daughter’s window. It’s been every night for a month and he won’t stop,” he said, his Japanese much slower than before, allowing me to connect dots where some words were foreign. “Every night, he stands out by the road, and he stares. My daughter is scared. My wife is scared. I don’t want him there anymore.”

I turned to Germaine and explained everything.

Germaine said, “What’s the address?”

After several back-and-forth conversations, the man left with an officer on his tail to follow him home, and Germaine said, “I’m not comfortable with you doing that by yourself. Have you had an officer with you every time that you’ve talked with someone?”

I shrugged. “Honestly, I’m not quite sure who was with me all day. There were a lot of names.”

“I’ll work and coordinate with my wife to make sure that you’re safe at all times,” he said. “Garrett’s outside waiting for you. How about I take you out there, then run back in and get Rooster for you.”

I smiled. “That sounds fantastic. To be quite honest, I’m not used to twelve-hour shifts myself.”

“Love how it went from eight to twelve.” He chuckled. “Come on. I’ll take you to Garrett.”

Ten minutes later, I was in the seat with Garrett next to me. “There’s going to be enough room for Rooster back there?”

“Rufus is in the very back.” He paused. “Drugged up. The medication they tried to give him wasn’t strong enough, when they got him close to the car, he freaked.”

My heart literally ached. “Then let’s get him home as fast as we can.”

“Home,” Garrett said. “I like the sound of that.”

My heart melted.

“This place is a mess,” he admitted. “Can you give me like two minutes to pick up all my shit on the floor?”

I heard him step farther into the room, but not far.

He had Rufus in his arms and had stopped somewhere close.

“Between Boss’s toys and my shoes and dirty clothes…” He trailed off. “Fuck, he’s heavier than he looks. I put him on the couch. If you walk directly straight, you’ll be at the couch.”

I followed directions, and he said, “Arm’s right there.”

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