Page 8 of Just for Him
Chapter Four: Vinnie
For a moment, my spiritshad lifted at seeing Haven, my first thought that she had come to see me. Then the rational part of my brain had kicked in and realized that wasn’t likely. We were friendly acquaintances, nothing more. While it made perfect sense for me to stop in to her place of employment, the same couldn’t be said for her coming to mine.
Besides, I reminded myself, I didn’tdorelationships.
Her presence at the precinct did raise a valid question, though. Most people didn’t drop in for anything good.
Immediately, my secret joy at seeing her unexpectedly had changed to concern.
A quick glance to her side had provided a strong clue. The scowling teen towered over her and looked vaguely familiar. Their features were similar enough that I immediately pegged them as family.
Her usual friendly smile had been absent, as was the sparkle in her eye as she had shuffled the kid out the door. Only afterward did I realize where I’d seen him before. He had been one of the kids hanging out behind the convenience store with Slash and his gang.
My jaw tightened. If that kid was involved with Slash, he was trouble ... or he wasintrouble. And if that kid was related to Haven, he was bringing that trouble right to her doorstep. That was not something I was comfortable with.
I didn’t have all the facts, though, so before I started jumping to conclusions, I asked a few questions. That led me to Hannibal and Lecter, the detectives who had been speaking with them.
The detectives’ names weren’t really Hannibal and Lecter, of course, but that was what we called them around the station. Hannibal was actually Chase Fumanti, a natural charmer who drew suspicious persons of interest into his confidence. Terrence Kowalski, a.k.a. Lecter, was his karmic opposite, a guy whose approach was totally non-verbal. Lecter’s intensive glare was enough to make suspects piss their pants and spill their guts. The odd combo was highly effective. Those brought in for questioning by them usually responded to one or the other. They were also looking into the rash of local snatch-and-grabs, which didn’t make me feel any better about the kid being here.
“Who was that kid?” I asked.
“Joel McAlister,” said Hannibal, his brow furrowing. “Senior at Cecilton High. Had a dozen stolen iPads in his locker, along with a stash of expensive vape pens and a wad of cash. The serial numbers match some of the items reported stolen from the electronics store down on Fifth Street.”
That didn’t bode well, but I had just seen the kid walking out, so they weren’t pressing charges.Yet.
“You let him walk?”
“Kid says he was set up.” Hannibal smirked, letting me know he didn’t believe that any more than I did. “The kid’s involved, no doubt, but he’s not the ringleader.”
Lecter grunted at this, an expression of agreement.
“We let him walk, maybe he’ll save us some time and lead us to who is.”
I understood their reasoning, but that didn’t mean I had to like it. The thought of Haven being caught up in something like this made my chest tight.
For a brief moment, I considered not saying anything until I found out more about Haven’s situation. Beyond the conversations we shared a couple times a week at the diner, I had no connection with her. It wasn’t personal, though it sure as hell felt like it.
I had to remind myself that solving this case would benefit everyone, Haven included.
