Page 22 of Diamond in the Rough

“What?”

“The other day, remember?”

“Oh, no, that’s all sorted now.”

“What is it you need?”

“Pens.”

“What kind of pens?”

“Marker pens.”

Sam pointed. “Right there.”

Jake clutched his brow. “’Course they are. Just being slow today.”

“You sure you’re okay?”

Jake picked up a packet of pens and waved them. “Yeah, found them, so I’ll be going.”

He stepped out of the storage room and stopped in his stride. There was a police officer at least two feet taller than Jake with a crooked nose standing in Stationery Corner.

He flashed his badge at Carl, then leaned over the counter. “Is there somewhere private we could talk?”

“There’s a storeroom. I’ll ask my manager if we can talk in there. Jake, you wanna take over from me?”

He nodded obediently and moved behind the counter. Carl led the police officer into the storeroom, and a few seconds later, Sam came out frowning and scratching the back of his head.

“What do you think that’s about?” he asked.

Jake shook his head. “No idea.”

“He’s not in any trouble?”

“Not as far as I know.”

Rachel bit her lip. “The officer’s not arresting him. He just wanted a chat.”

The storeroom opened, and the police officer led Carl out by his elbow. Carl shot a reassuring look in their direction, on the surface for all of them, but Jake knew it was directed at him. The look said stay calm and trust him, and despite his heart thundering in his chest and his breathlessness, Jake forced himself to stay still and levelheaded.

“Is there a problem?” Sam asked.

“I’m gonna go down the station, answer a few questions. It’s nothing to worry about.”

“You’ve been arrested?” Sam asked.

The crooked-nosed officer looked down at Sam. “No, he’s not under arrest. He’s just helping with our inquiries.”

“I’ll be back later,” Carl said. He flashed a look at Jake again, and Jake nodded back. Carl seemed to accept his reply and relaxed.

****

Jake paced the shop, and unlike days before, Sam didn’t watch him with scrutiny and demand he stop. He understood Jake’s unease, and they all kept the door in their sight, waiting for the moment for Carl to breeze inside with his confident smile. Closing time came and went, and Rachel turned the sign on the door, but none of them went home.

“Maybe I should call his next of kin,” Sam said.

Jake turned to him. “Why? He’s not dead.”

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