Page 18 of Justice for Aleta

“Pretty often, but they catch on fast. Anyway, it looks like your chemist was looking to make money for something. He didn’t say what, just said ‘college,’ whatever that means.” Jack didn’t have the heart to tell Dexter that it wasn’t a “he” and it actually meant college. “Good luck and let me know if you get anything else like that, but after this, you could probably figure it out.”

“Thanks, Dex.”

“You’re welcome. I’m already in trouble for missing that slug. I figure I’d better be nice to you.” When he said it, he chuckled, and Jack was glad the chief lab tech wasn’t mad at him.

“You’re a good guy, Dex. See you soon.” He hung up and looked at the emails again, knowing the key to their meaning.

I’m looking to make some kids’ meals. I could use the money for college. Do you have the hamburgers, French fries, and chicken tenders?

Our shift manager does. He’s got the grills and fryers too. Do you know what you’re doing?

Yeah. I’ve been doing it for two years now. They say my kids’ meals are the tastiest in town.He had to hand it to the girl, she knew how to sell her skills.

You’d have to come to franchise headquarters to work. Can that be done?Uh-huh. That was the trip to Texas. Jack was sure he knew what was coming next.

Sure. Just tell me where and when, but I don’t have a car.

That’s okay. I can get one from the shift manager. I’ll let you know.The rental.

A couple of days later, there was another email.Arrangements have been made to pick you up for your trip to franchise headquarters. We’ve been asking around. Apparently your kids’ meals are a hot commodity. Shoot me your cell number and we’ll have our delivery driver make arrangements to pick you up.There was a return email with the cell number and then nothing else.

Jack dropped back in his chair and put his hands over his face. He had a man and an infant killed when a hit man hired by a drug kingpin-wannabe shot the car of a drug runner who was transporting a chemist, and then took the chemist, a seventeen-year-old girl. He had to wonder if they’d killed the girl immediately when she’d walked in and they’d figured out how old she was. And that wasn’t taking into account that Aleta could be in serious danger. “Boy, how fucked up is this?” Jack mumbled to himself.

“You say something?” another trooper asked.

“No. Just talking to myself.” Jack sighed and thought about all the information. The whole thing was so bizarre that ithadto be true. Nobody could make that shit up.

Nobody.

Chapter 4

Jack grabbeda fast-food meal?definitely not a kid’s meal?on his way home, then tried to relax, but he couldn’t. Everything in his being wanted to run to Aleta, snatch her up, and keep her safe. When he couldn’t stand it anymore, he called. “Hey!” she chirped.

“Hi. You doin’ okay?”

“Yeah. Hey, guess what? They let me make some fried eggs today! One of the grill cooks was out sick, so they needed help. That was better than dishes, I have to say.”

“Well, look at you! Moving up in the company, huh?” Jack said and chuckled.

“I could show that bunch a thing or two about cooking! Have a good day?”

“Yes and no. Yes, I got info I needed. No, I didn’t like the info I got.”

“Oh, well, yay and boo,” she said and laughed.

“Exactly.” Just the sound of her voice cheered him. “Are you looking forward to our date?”

“I sure am! I’m going to buy something new to wear tomorrow.”

“Aleta, you don’t have to do that. I’m sure your clothes are just fine.”

She snorted. “First off, I do have the money. Second, I want something new, and this is a good excuse to get it!”

“Oh, now I’m an excuse?” he said, choking back laughter.

“No! That’s not what I meant at all. Because third, I want to look nice for you.”

Jack wished she could see his smile. “Well, that makes meveryhappy.”

---