Page 56 of Sachie's Hero

Heat burned Sachie’s cheeks again.

Kids? She hadn’t even considered kids because she hadn’t dreamed of ever marrying until an extremely sexy, hunk of a Delta Force guy suggested they pretend to be engaged.

Now, she was falling down a rabbit hole of unrealistic possibilities.

“No. Not yet, anyway,” Teller answered for her, placing a hand at the small of her back. “My beautiful fiancée is a counselor for troubled teens and children from less-than-ideal home situations. She wanted to check out what the Boys’ Club could offer some of her kids.”

“Perfect,” Simmons said. “We have a full-time staff of myself, an administrative assistant and a janitor.We employ older students as leaders in the after-school program, who keep the boys moving and learning. We also have volunteers who fill in when they’re needed and available. Although we’re down two after-school leaders, we're actively recruiting to fill those positions.”

“Do you have high turnover of your teen leaders?” Sachie asked.

“Not often,” the director said. “Although they eventually age out and move on to college or the workforce.”

Sachie knew why they were down at least one of their leaders. The director was smart not to mention they’d lost one to suicide. It could be bad for business.

Simmons led them down a hallway flanked by rooms with tables and chairs, explaining the kids had study time to work on their homework as well as activities to expand their minds through art and music.

“We want the boys to have a rich environment of learning and moving to keep them physically and mentally healthy. Our gymnasium allows them to learn skills in different sports and learn the value of teamwork.”

They stepped into the gym where a couple dozen boys of different ages and sizes drilled in different skills involving basketballs.

At one end of the gym, a teenage boy worked with the smaller kids, demonstrating how to bounce a basketball, alternating hands.

At the other end of the gym, preteens and teens were engaged in a half-court game, each team wearing different-colored bibs. In the middle of the teens was an adult who stood taller than most of the kids around him.

Sachie’s eyes narrowed. The man looked familiar, but he was moving quickly and was a little too far away for her to see clearly.

“Speaking of volunteers,” Director Simmons nodded toward the adult at the far end of the gym. “That’s one of our frequent volunteers. His full-time job is as a police officer with the Hawaii Police Department. He’s a regular, showing up for an hour or two a couple of times a week. The older kids like it when he plays basketball with them, as you can see.”

“Is that Officer Roland?” Sachie asked.

“Yes, ma’am, it is,” the director grinned. “Do you know him?”

She nodded, glad she’d figured out who it was. Knowing there was an off-duty police officer in the building made her feel they might want to concentrate their search for bad guys in the buildings surrounding the club.

Roland stepped away from the kids, leaving themto continue playing without him. He crossed the gym floor in his shorts and sweaty T-shirt, coming to a stop in front of Sachie and Teller. “Ms. Moore, I didn’t expect to see you here. What brings you around?”

“I’m always looking for places parents can count on to keep their children occupied with other alternatives to cell phones and video games.”

“What do you think so far?” Roland waved a hand toward the gym and the kids actively engaged.

Sachie nodded. “Mr. Simmons has taken us on the grand tour. I like that the club provides a much-needed service to the youth of the city who might otherwise not have the resources to afford what it offers.”

Roland gave a brief nod. “The staff is committed to giving the kids a safe environment to be kids.”

The director’s cell phone buzzed. He glanced at the display. “I’ve been expecting this call. I need to take it. Please excuse me. Officer Roland can answer any questions you may have.” The director walked away as he answered his phone.

Roland lowered his voice. “I heard you’ve had some issues with a stalker? Have you had any luck identifying who it is?”

Sachie shook her head. “Not yet.”

The officer frowned. “You don’t think he’s here, do you?”

“No,” Sachie said. “I’m trying to get some closure on a teen who used to work here.”

“The one who committed suicide?” Roland shook his head. “Tragic loss. Luke was a good kid. He had a bright future ahead of him.”

“Did you have much interaction with him?” Sachie asked.

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