Chapter 14 #2
“During my sessions with Luke, he talked about another teen he worked with here—a kid named Mark. Is he here today?”
“He was. I think he left a few minutes ago. You probably just missed him. What did you want with Mark?”
“Does he have a last name?” Teller asked.
The officer nodded. “Bradford.”
“I understand they were good friends,” Sachie said.
“I wanted to talk to him about Luke’s behavior leading up to his death.
I hope to gain some insight into why he felt compelled to end his life.
” Sachie’s gaze went to the teens still playing basketball behind Roland.
“I want to know what made him so desperate that he felt he didn’t have another option. ”
“Did he mention any troubles he might have had at school?” Roland asked.
“No. Did he have any issues with anyone here at the Boys’ Club?” Sachie asked.
“I didn’t notice any, but then I wasn’t here all the time.”
Sachie sighed. “I guess I’ll have to come back when Mark’s here. Maybe Luke opened up with him.”
“Mark’s usually here every weekday.” Roland glanced across the gym. “You might catch him tomorrow. I’d better get back to the boys. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“Thank you.”
“Can you find your way out?” Roland asked.
“Yes, sir.”
Roland hurried back to the game.
Sachie’s gaze swept through the gym. “Who else can we ask about Luke?”
“Not the kids,” Teller said.
“Definitely not the kids,” Sachie said. “Should we try to track down Mark at his home?”
“Now that we have a last name, I can get Swede to work his magic. He should be able to find his address.” Teller texted the name to Swede. “Are you ready to go?”
Sachie looked one last time, trying to imagine Luke on the gym floor working with the little kids, teaching them how to shoot hoops that were so far above them it was comical to watch their attempts.
She sighed. “I’m ready.”
As they walked to the exit, Sachie saw a tall, lanky young man with thick black hair exiting the building. Something about him made her look twice. At that exact moment, he glanced over his shoulder.
Sachie’s heart stopped for a full second and then slammed into her ribs. “Luke?” she whispered. Turning to Teller, she asked, “Did you see that young man?”
Teller had glanced over his shoulder back toward the gym. When he focused ahead of where they stood, he frowned. “See what?”
“The teen who just stepped out of the complex. I swear... I mean the resemblance…” She scrubbed a hand down her face and rubbed her eyes. “I must be hallucinating again. He looked just like Luke.”
Teller hurried with her out the front entrance. Sachie stopped, looked in both directions and saw...nothing.
Teller cupped her elbow and walked toward their parked sedan. They were halfway across the parking lot when a flurry of movement whipped past Sachie. Her purse was ripped off her shoulder before she could wrap her fingers around the strap.
“Hey!” she yelled automatically.
“Son of a bitch,” Teller muttered and took off after the thief. “Sachie, get into the car and lock the doors,” he called out over his shoulder.
For a solid five seconds, Sachie stood frozen to the spot.
Then she moved, heading toward the sedan.
She’d rather have gone after the assailant, but she knew she’d only slow Teller’s pursuit.
And if she didn’t get into the sedan and lock the doors, Teller might turn back and make sure she did, losing the thief in the process.
When she reached the sedan, she climbed in, locked the doors and waited for what felt like a very long time, hoping Teller wouldn’t get hurt. She’d rather lose everything in her purse than have Teller harmed in the process of trying to retrieve it.
After a while, Sachie got anxious and worried that Teller wasn’t back yet. She unlocked the sedan and stepped out into the afternoon sunshine.
Her pulse quickened at the sight of big, broad-shouldered Teller. With one hand securing a man’s arm behind his back, Teller shoved the man forward until he was close enough for Sachie to see that he wasn’t Luke or Luke’s lookalike.
The man had fully tattooed sleeves on both arms. The sleeves extended down to the back of the man’s hands, where a small pyramid with an eye in the middle of it stared at Sachie. The guy wore baggy clothing, his hair was unkempt and he appeared to be high on something.
“Sachie, could you call 911 and have them come prepared to process a thief?” Teller said.
Before she could dial, Officer Roland stepped out of the building wearing jeans, a T-shirt and running shoes. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“This man stole Ms. Moore’s purse,” Teller said. “We were just about to contact 911 so they could send a police officer to take him in.”
Roland shook his head. “I’ll make that call and take care of him. Sachie, I have your number. We can get your statement later. I’m sure you two have other things to do.”
“We don’t mind staying until the police arrive,” Sachie assured Roland.
“Not to worry. I have this. I’ll take him into the office and hold him until the cops on duty arrive. Take care. I’ll see you two again soon.” He took control of holding the man’s arm between his shoulder blades and marched him into the facility.
Teller handed Sachie her purse. “Check to make sure he didn’t take anything. I don’t think he had time but check anyway.”
She glanced at the contents in her purse and pulled out her wallet to count the credit cards. “Everything’s here.”
“Well, since your Officer Roland is going to take him in, we can head out,” Teller said.
“We still have eight or nine hours to burn before we head to the Leather & Chains,” Sachie said. “Is it possible to find a thrift shop for biker babe clothing and then a hotel? I’m exhausted, and I’m not the one who was in a fight to reclaim my purse.”
“We can do both those things. I could stand to rest for a couple of hours before we head into a biker bar.” He held the door for Sachie.
“I’m sure it won’t be as easy as touring the Boys’ Club.” She slipped into the passenger seat and settled her purse on her lap.
Teller slid into the driver’s seat, frowning. “I’d feel better if you didn’t go.”
Sachie stiffened. She understood his concern, but he needed her. “I know what Travis looks like,” she said. “You and your friends don’t.”
Teller sighed and started the engine. “You have a point,” he said and shifted into reverse. “You know how to make my job difficult.”
“You don’t have to come,” she said, hoping he didn’t decide to back out.
He snorted. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
Her heart lightened at his teasing and at the relief she felt that he would be at her side as they stepped into a bar filled with a potentially dangerous gang of bikers.
She hoped Teller and his team wouldn’t be hurt in her pursuit of her stalker.
Maybe they’d blend right in, observe Travis, get him alone and then what?
Force him to confess to terrorizing her?
How well would that go over surrounded by his gang of cut-throat bikers?
Sachie wasn’t feeling all that confident about this plan. Hopefully, they’d come up with a better alternative in the seven hours they had before they showed up at Leather & Chains.