Page 16 of Breakaway

They shake and Dad glances around the nearly filled room. “Looks like business is good. You deserve it. Most underrated restaurant in town.”

Mel nods. Then turns back to me. “Why are you stalking my employee? I take that shit personal.”

“Stalking?” Dad raises an eyebrow and I see the interested glint in his eye.

“He sits in his car and watches. Waits till he sees her go to her room. One night he stayed all night. Since you’re a cop I figured you’d want to know. Something happens to her. You better get to him first. I got the name of another SOB if you need it.”

“Well, well, well, isn’t this interesting,” Dad chuckles. “Mel, can you sit with us for a few minutes? I feel like we both have information to share with each other.”

He glances at our plates. “Eat. I’ll be back after I get someone to cover the grill for me.”

“You know him?” I ask after Mel walks away.

“Yeah. He’s a good guy. Was raised by his grandparents above this restaurant. Joined the military. Bought them a house. Came back to help his gramps with the diner when his grandmother got sick. She passed a year later and his grandpa six months after. He’s kept the place and made it even better than it was before. He watches out for people. I take it your girl is one.”

I glance up.My girl. I could deny it, but it rings true in my chest.

“Eat, it’s best hot.”

A young man busses our table before Mel comes back with fresh coffee for us and one for himself. Pulling a chair up he sitsat the end of the table where he can watch the door and study me.

“Mel, let me introduce my son, Turk. He’s the team doctor for the Sirens and good friends with the new owner. He was worried about Caitlyn after he saw someone hassle her. He followed her home to make sure she was okay. He just wanted to make sure she was safe. She appears to be anxious.”

“They better not be fucking hassling her at her job. I told them here, and only here.”

“Who is they?” I ask.

“None of your business.”

“It’s my business if it puts the team in jeopardy.”

“You getting in with the wrong people is not my concern. Cat is.”

“You her boyfriend? I didn’t see you there when she needed you.”

“Calm down both of you,” Dad cuts in. “This is not a pissing match between the two of you. This is about what’s going on with Caitlyn.”

“She’s my friend. She’s had a shit life. I don’t want to see her get hurt,” Mel grinds out.

“Then talk to us. Let me help,” Dad says softly. “Is she in danger?”

“Probably. Do you know of a guy that goes by the name Slack?”

My dad glances at me. “Yes. He’s a drug dealer.”

“That and other stuff. He’s her stepbrother. He’s shaking her down for money. A lot of money. If she misses a payment, he basically doubles it. She doesn’t make the kind of money he’s pushing for so the debt goes up not down each week. I tried to get her to let me pay it, but she won’t. She doesn’t want to ruin my life, too.

“I know his kind. He’ll never let her go. Even if she pays him off. He’ll find another reason. He’s got something on her, but I don’t know what.”

He studies his coffee. “Look, she’s a good girl. From what I know her parents were losers just like Slack. She somehow got caught in the middle.”

Dad shoots me a knowing glance. He must be thinking that Slack was her pimp.

“If you know he’s into illegal shit, why didn’t you bring it to the department?” Dad asks.

“Because he’s got at least one detective, two patrol officers and one city board member on his payroll. I’d be setting her up for more trouble. I can handle myself. She can’t.”

“Mel, I want to help her,” I chime in.

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