Page 34 of Small Town Beast

She knew she had to appear strong and confident. In a controlled voice she said, “My son disappeared on June 15th. I had left him with my Mama–”

“What’s your mother’s name?”

“Cyrie Weaver.”

The P.I wrote this down. “Go on,” he said.

“Mama took Amari to the playground– the one by the preschool on Central.”

“I know the place.”

“While she was there, she ran into a friend from church. They got to talkin’ for about ten minutes. She wasn’t watching Amari the way she should have been.” Tanya repressed the rage.Of course she wasn’t. I should have known better. I never should have ever left him with her. I trusted her and I knew better.

“Was this typical behavior?”

“What do you mean?”

“Did you usually leave your son with your mother?”

“Ah– no. It was the very first time. Mama and I have a tough relationship, sir.”

“Is she a drug addict?”

“No, sir. No drugs or liquor or nothing like that.” Tanya swallowed. “Not that I know of.”

“I see. Continue.”Was this motherfuckerlicking his lips?

Folding her arms across her chest Tanya went on, “Mama said Amari must have wandered off. She looked up and he was gone, she said. Amari started walking at eight months old, so he moves real fast. My mother said she looked all over the playground. She and her friend started looking together. They searched high and low and didn’t find him, and that was when she called the police.”

“What was her friend’s name?”

“Um– Miss Amy. They know each other from church. I don’t know Miss Amy’s last name but I could get it for you–”

“What time was this?” the man interrupted.

“About noon, sir, was when Mama and Amari got to the park.”

Another note.

“Where were you at this time, Tonya?”

Tanya’s back teeth clenched. “I was at work up in Florin.”

“The police interviewed your mother?”

“Yes they did.”For like five minutes. But they had me in there two hours.

“What about the friend?”

“Ah– no. Just me and Mama.” She added, “They didn’t even look at the security footage. They did nothing. And that’s why I’m here. I just need to know what happened to my son.”

Mr. Faisal nodded. Expressionless, emotionless, and still staring at her chest. “I see. Well, Tonya, as soon as you get me the rest of the money I can get started on finding out what happened to– ah–Amari,” he said, checking his little book.

Even if he never finds Amari, he still gets paid,Tanya thought angrily.

“Here’s pictures of my son,” Tanya said, laying the only physical pictures of Amari she owned on the desk. “And all the information you asked me to bring. I got the police report, too.”

Mr. Faisal took the documents without so much as glancing at them.

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