Page 64 of Fight for Me

CHAPTER XV

BRODY

“I already talked to the supplier, and everything should be delivered by the end of the week, but if there’s a problem you can call,” I say to the site manager as I pack my tools. I’m eager to finish for the day, and I was supposed to be done for the day an hour ago, but the problems seem to be popping up like mushrooms when you’re on your last day before the holiday.

“Hey, boss!” a young laborer named Tom calls me.

I turn around with a sigh and impatiently yell out, “What is it now?”

The shy boy looks abashed at my tone and slows his steps, making me feel like an asshole, so I lower my voice and ask calmly, “What is it, Tommy? I was just on my way out.”

He rubs his neck, looking doubtful. “No it’s nothing, boss, but I was just on my break, and you left your things there.” Tom points with his thumb to the bench the workers are using to eat lunch together. “I was going to ignore it, but your phone called like five times in a row, so I thought it might be important...”

I frown in the direction of my things, then clap the boy on the shoulder with a muttered “Thanks,” and march through the construction.

I don’t carry my phone with me during work because very often I’m unable to hear or answer it anyway. I do get plenty of phone calls as a business owner, but five in a row makes me instantly feel apprehensive.

As I get to my bag, the phone starts ringing, and I frown when I see that it’s a call from Robert.

“Brody,” I grunt out, holding the phone between my ear and shoulder as I start to collect my things and then head toward my car.

“Hey, man. I’m glad I caught you,” the detective greets me casually, but I am right away able to pick up on the tension in his voice.

“What’s up, man?”

“So, there’s been... um, development in the case. I’m calling to warn you,” Robert starts, then exhales loudly into the receiver. “I’ve been keeping an eye on that Ricky guy that Jenny used to... date, and, um...”

“Ricky?” I ask, as I get behind the wheel and slam the doors. “What’s he to you?”

“Um, you know... I’m just keeping an eye out for her. You know, just doing my job,” he responds, but I can tell he’s full of shit.

“I knew he had a big chance of getting out, so I started to look into him a few months ago... You know, the basic stuff, what’s he up to, will he cause problems for Jennifer and Henry...”

I hum in my throat, and start the car. “That’s all great, Rob. But will you get to the fucking point or what?”

“Yeah, sorry. So, I didn’t find much. The guy is pretty much an idiot, and he seems harmless enough. But three months ago, he started to get regular visits, and calls from someone. For a year, he only had like two people visiting him, so I thought it odd.”

---