Chapter 17 – Ink
INK
Igrinned when my phone rang with Presley’s name on the screen. I hadn’t seen her since Sunday, and I didn’t fucking like it.
“Hey,” she said. “I’m finished with my errands and wanted to see if I could bring you something for lunch.”
“Thanks,” I said. “But I just walked into Irene’s. Do you want to meet me here for lunch instead?”
“It’ll take me ten minutes to get there. Is that okay?”
“Take your time. I’ve already ordered, but I can add yours to mine. Do you know what you want?” I asked.
“A grilled chicken salad, please.”
“Okay. See you in a few,” I said and waved my hand to get Irene’s attention. “Can you add a grilled chicken salad to my order? Presley’s going to meet me here for lunch.”
“Got it,” she said and pointed to an empty booth. “That’s about all I’ve got right now. If you hurry, it’s yours.”
“Thanks, Irene,” I said and claimed our table before someone else could.
Presley arrived moments after our food was delivered to the table.
She sat down and started telling me about her morning.
I was listening at first, but she lost my attention the moment Detective Coleman walked through the front door.
He looked around the dining area before heading to a vacant table, seeming not to notice me or Presley, which I thought was bullshit.
I knew he saw us and was choosing to ignore us. The question was why.
Presley tapped her glass with her fork. “Are you listening to me?”
“I was,” I told her, and reached for her hand. “Don’t react and don’t look around, but Detective Dickhead got here shortly after you did. He’s sitting at a table near the front door.”
“I see,” she smiled awkwardly. “Do we think that’s a coincidence?”
“No, we do not,” I said cheerfully.
“Okay, that’s creepy.”
“Says the creepy smiler,” I countered.
Presley laughed lightly, followed by a sigh. “What are we going to do about him?”
“Nothing yet. I want to go up to the counter and ask Irene a few questions about him. Are you comfortable sitting here while I’m gone? I’ll be able to see you the whole time.”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
Even though I knew the likelihood of the detective trying anything with so many witnesses was minimal, I still didn’t like leaving Presley alone at the table. But I needed to talk to Irene.
“Well, hello there. What’s a nice lady like you doing with a scallywag like this?” Buck asked.
“Perfect timing, old man,” I said. “Would you mind keeping Presley company while I talk to Irene?”
“As long as you don’t mind us continuing to occupy your table when you get back,” Walter said. “This place is packed, and I don’t feel like fighting for a table today.”
“I’d bet another tattoo on my ass that you’ve never had to fight for a table at this location,” I said.
“I’m going to get you one day,” Walter said.
“We’ve already picked out the tattoo!” Buck said excitedly.
“I wish I had time for you two fuckers,” I said and clapped Walter’s shoulder. “But I’ve got some shit to take care of. I’ll be back in a few.”
With that, I made my way to the counter and waited for Irene. “You need something, honey?”
Leaning closer, I lowered my voice, “Don’t look right now, but there’s a detective by the front door. I wanted to know if he came in here often.”
“I don’t need to look. That’s Detective Coleman. I noticed him coming in for lunch a little over two weeks ago. Comes in a few times a week, looks around, then places an order to go. Today’s the first time he’s eaten here.”
I didn’t think that was a coincidence either. “Thanks. I don’t have time to explain, but I think he’s here because Presley’s here. We’re going to head out now. Will you call me and let me know when he leaves?”
“Of course,” she said and handed me some to-go boxes. “Here. It’ll look less suspicious if you take your half-eaten lunch with you.”
“Thanks,” I said and returned to the table.
“I just got a text from Phoenix. He needs me back at the garage,” I said and passed a box to Presley.
“Oh, okay,” she said and boxed up her salad.
“You guys are welcome to our table,” I told Walter and Buck while I dumped my food into a box.
“Thanks,” Walter said. “We’ll see ya.”
“Yes, we will,” Buck added.
“What the hell was that?” Presley asked as we exited through the side door.
“Irene said Detective Dickhead started coming in two weeks ago, but today was the first time he stayed to eat lunch. If the reason he’s here leaves, so will he.”
Presley almost rolled her eyes at me. “I know that. I was talking about Walter and Buck.”
“Oh. I don’t know. They were acting kind of weird.”
“So, what are we doing now?” Presley asked. “I’m assuming you didn’t get a text from Phoenix.”
“You're right, I didn’t. I just didn’t think it was a good idea to stay at the diner while Coleman’s there, regardless of why he’s there,” I said. “And I wanted to see if he would try to follow one of us.”
“I figured that,” she said knowingly. “All right. Where am I to drive?”
“Where were you planning on going?”
“Home.”
“That’ll work. Drive toward your house. I’ll call you if something changes. If I don’t call before you get home, it’s safe to go home.”
“Okay, I guess I’ll talk to you, or I won’t,” she said.
“You’ll talk to me,” I said and leaned down to kiss her.
“Be careful,” she said softly.
“I will,” I promised.
I’d been driving for two minutes when Irene called. “He left right after you and Presley did. I just watched him turn left out of the parking lot.”
“Thanks, Irene.” Left. Presley turned left.
I made sure traffic was clear before I whipped my truck around and hauled ass in the opposite direction. Then I called Phoenix.
“You keep driving toward Presley’s house,” he said. “Let me know when you catch up to Presley or Coleman.”
“I should be close. We left at the same time.”
“I want you to stay with the cop. Flint and Falcon are headed your way. We’re gonna follow this fucker and see what he’s up to.”
“Fuck,” I muttered when a familiar car came into view. “Might not need Flint and Falcon, Prez. Looks like Walter and Buck are following Detective Dickhead.”
“Of course they are,” Phoenix said. “Is Detective Dickhead following Presley?”
“I can’t see her yet, but this is the way to her house.”
“Okay, keep following Walter and Buck. Turn off when Flint meets up with you. He can follow for a little while and swap out with Falcon, and so on. I’ll have Walter and Buck follow Presley home.”
“Sounds good, Prez. One question. What do you want me to do after Flint gets here and I turn off?”
“Hang back for a few and then keep heading toward Presley’s house. We’ll have to play it by ear.”
When Flint pulled up behind me a few minutes later, I turned into a gas station and waited what felt like much longer than five minutes.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when Phoenix’s voice suddenly filled my ears. I’d forgotten he was still on the line. “Presley turned into her neighborhood. Detective Dickhead didn’t follow her, but Walter and Buck did. They’re going to keep her company until we know where Coleman is going.”
“Thanks, Prez. I’m getting back on the road now.”
I was approaching Presley’s neighborhood when Phoenix spoke again. “He turned into the high school.”
“Are you shitting me?”
“Flint and Falcon are watching from The Fruit Stand across the street.”
I couldn’t get to the school fast enough. Ariel was there. My mother was there.
Mom.
“Prez, I’ll call you back,” I said and ended the call before he could respond, so I could call my mother.
“Is there something going on at the school today? Like a special speaker or some other reason for a detective to be there?” I asked as soon as she answered.
“Not that I’m aware of, but I don’t know what every teacher has planned each day,” she said. “Is something wrong?”
“I’m not sure. A detective has been bothering a friend and her daughter. He showed up at the diner where my friend was having lunch, left when she did, and now he’s at the school her daughter attends. It’s concerning.”
“Who’s your friend’s daughter? I can try to check on her.”
“Her name is—” My words were interrupted by the distinct sound of a high school fire alarm going off.
“I have to go. That’s the fire alarm, and I know we weren’t scheduled to have a drill today.”
“I think you should stay on the phone with me. I don’t like this.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing. Spring break is next week. One of the kids probably pulled it as a prank.”
Flint waved his hand to get my attention and moved his phone away from his mouth. “Got a text from Dad. Ruby Sage set off the alarm.”
“Do we know why?”
“Probably to keep your girlfriend’s daughter safe from Detective Dickhead,” Dice said before he bit into an apple.
“Where the fuck did you come from?”
He pointed to The Fruit Stand. “I’ve been standing there the whole time. I brought you a snack,” he said and tossed me an apple. “These are the best fucking apples I’ve ever had. Seriously, dude, try it.”
I considered tossing my Cosmic Crisp apple at his head, but the approaching sirens distracted me. When I glanced back at the school, students were filling the parking lot as they exited in single-file lines.
“Well, look at that,” Dice said. “Chuck’s here to help.”
Flint laughed. “Where is Detective Dickhead?”
“Right over there,” Falcon said. “Frantically looking for a place to hide. I guess he doesn’t realize his boss has already seen him.”
“Oh this should be good,” Dice said and raised a pair of binoculars to his eyes.
“When did you start keeping binoculars on hand?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I guess I picked up a thing or two from Walter.”
“What’s happening?”
“It looks like Chuck is yelling at Detective Dickhead. Chuck is waving his hands around and stabbing his finger in the air. Detective Dickhead is shaking his head and holding his hands up. Now, Chuck is pointing at Dickhead’s car.
Dickhead is nodding. He’s walking to his car.
I think Chuck is making him leave,” Dice relayed.
“I’d say so,” I said as Detective Dickhead peeled out of the school’s parking lot.
I’d almost forgotten about who started the fire until I saw Ruby Sage being escorted out of the school with a police officer and two teachers, and she was crying.
“Are we going to stand here and watch this?” I asked,
“Nope,” Dice agreed.
“Carbon will be here any minute,” Flint called, but we were already across the street.
“Chuck!” I shouted. “We’re her uncles. What’s going on?”
Ruby Sage broke away from the group and launched herself at me. “It was an accident!” she cried. “I’ve never made a mistake like that before!”
“Everyone makes mistakes,” I soothed.
“Yes, but not everyone makes mistakes that burn down their high school,” she wailed. “Now everyone will know me as the smartest dumb girl.”
“The smartest dumb girl?” Chuck asked.
“Ruby Sage is only twelve years old. She’s skipped two grades so far and is set to graduate early,” I told him.
“Not anymore! I’m going to be expelled.”
“Why is my daughter going to be expelled?” Carbon asked.
“Dad!” Ruby Sage cried and ran to him. “It was an accident!”
“What happened?” Carbon asked.
“I’m not sure. I was following the steps in the book, but smoke appeared suddenly. I barely had time to shove Skylar out of the way before flames shot up to the ceiling.”
“Excuse me!” a woman called, waving her hands as she approached us. “I’m not sure what’s going on over here, but the fire in the lab was an accident.”
“And you are?” Carbon asked.
“Mrs. Dubey, Ruby Sage’s chemistry teacher. You must be Mr. Walker. It’s nice to meet you. Ruby Sage is an excellent student.”
“She seems to think she’s being expelled,” Carbon said.
“You’re going to have to try a lot harder than that if you want to be expelled,” Mrs. Dubey teased.
“I’m really sorry,” Ruby Sage said.
“It’s okay. Accidents happen. I’m thrilled no one was hurt and everyone followed the safety protocols.”
“So, I’m not in trouble?”
“Not at all, but you might want to go home for the rest of the day. Some of these kids can be brutal, and the entire school is going to hear about this.”
“Can she leave now?” Carbon asked.
“I don’t see any reason she needs to stay. We’ve heard Ruby Sage’s statement, and I can answer any other questions about the fire.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Dubey,” Ruby Sage said and wiped the tears from under her eyes.
“Well, it seems like you all have this under control,” Chuck said. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m needed at the office.” As Chuck passed me, he stopped for a moment to say, “I don’t know what he was up to, and I’m done trying to find out. I’m firing his ass right now.”
“Thanks, Chuck.”
“All right, my little genius, let’s get you home,” Carbon said.
Ruby Sage giggled. “How’d I do?”
“Judging by the look of shock on Ink’s face, I’d say you did great,” Carbon said proudly.
“Hold on. You did that on purpose?” Flint asked.
Ruby Sage smiled sheepishly. “Yes. I knew creating a lot of smoke would set the fire alarms off, but I didn’t know the flames would shoot up so high.”
I chuckled and held my fist out for a bump. “Thanks, kid.”
“Remember this,” she said.
“Why?” I asked slowly.
“I’m twelve now, which means I’ll be starting college by the time I’m sixteen. I’m sure I’ll find myself in need of help, and most situations don’t require my dad to show up and tear people apart. So, I’m stacking my favors now.”
“You’re gonna have your hands full with that one,” I said to Carbon.
“Nah,” he laughed. “She’s resourceful and clearly knows how to handle situations, current and future.”
“Apparently,” I agreed. “How about some ice cream?”
“Yes, please,” Ruby Sage said.
“Really?” I asked. “We’re just going to ignore the chemistry teacher’s name?”
“No one teases Mrs. Dubey about her last name,” she said.
“Why not?” I asked. Dubey seemed like an open target for teenagers.
“Because we have a teacher named Mrs. Kiefer.”
“Oooh,” we collectively said.
“Yep,” Ruby Sage nodded. “Kiefer the Queefer.”