Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 82282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Okay,” he said worriedly. “Is my brother okay? Did something happen to him?”
“No, honey,” I said shaking my head. “Your brother is fine. Officer Spurlock, please tell Falco what you found.”
As Trance explained what was going on, and what was about to happen, I took a seat at the table next to Falco and listened. Once he was finished, Falco, I could tell, was speechless.
“But, sir, I didn’t do that. I’ve never even used my locker. I don’t even have a lock on it; anyone could’ve done it.” Falco explained quickly.
“Officer Monroe, was the lock we unlocked from the locker assigned to Mr. Pendragon?” Trance asked.
I hadn’t been aware that Officer Monroe was even in the room.
Radar’s head worked its way into my lap, and I smiled slightly as I petted him.
“I didn’t do it, Ms. Sheffield. I swear I didn’t do it.” Falco whispered to me urgently.
“I know, honey. I know.” I whispered back, patting his hand.
“It’s registered to a...Landon Smith. No, it’s not his lock.” Officer Monroe said.
I didn’t know a Landon Smith, but that didn’t mean anything. There were over 800 kids in the school right at this very moment. It wasn’t too surprising.
“Please follow me, Mr. Pendragon. We’re going to go look at your locker.” Trance sighed loudly.
When I heard the chair next to me scoot out, I turned my head and watched as shadows danced in my field of vision until no movement was left in the room.
Radar stayed at my side, though.
We stayed that way for another ten minutes or so. All the while I was thinking how lucky Trance was that he had a dog. I hadn’t realized how much I’d depended on Hemi. The last month had been incredibly hard.
I took a lot of things for granted.
I now had to scrub my own plates, where before I just had to drop them on the floor for a pre-rinse. Then there was the fact that knocks on my apartment door startled me. Before, I had Hemi to let me know when someone was close to my apartment door, giving me about forty-five seconds of warning before I had to get to the door.
I was startled out of my reverie as the alarm on my phone went off, reminding me of my appointment in an hour, and I sighed. Today had been extremely eventful, and it was only ten in the morning.
As I went to my desk and removed my purse, I locked up my office behind me and started heading toward the sound of Trance’s voice.
Radar’s claws clicked on the floor as we made our way to the lockers, and the closer we got, the more and more upset I got.
“Sir, I’ve never even seen the bag before in my life. I don’t even carry a backpack. I can’t afford one. My little brother has mine.” Falco was explaining.
“That’s true. He’s been without a bag since the beginning of the semester. His broke over Christmas vacation. His brother explained that he needed the bag, otherwise he couldn’t hold his cane.” I explained as I approached the gathering.
Radar, who’d been at my side, leaned on me just as my cane bumped something. I stopped, and waited.
Trance didn’t disappoint.
“Officer Monroe, I’m inclined to agree with Falco and Ms. Sheffield. Pending review of the tapes, I think we should put this off until we know more about that. How long will it take you to get the surveillance feed?” Trance asked.
“Twenty four to forty eight hours or so. The school is monitored through a third party. We’ll have to request the feed from them, and then review it ourselves before we can let you know anymore.” Officer Monroe explained.
I heard Falco’s sigh of relief, and moments later a rough, strong palm cupped the back of my elbow.
“Okay, I’ll check back with you tomorrow. Is there anything else you want Radar to check today?” Trance asked.
“Nothing today, Officer Spurlock. Thank you for coming. Mr. Falco, please return to class.” Officer Monroe said firmly.
I saw the movement of shadows disperse. All but one, that was.
“You’re going to get yourself into trouble, Viddy.” Trance sighed. “Who was the chick who called you names?”
“Sandra. I took over her job when we merged the schools. She doesn’t like me very much.” I admitted.
Trance snorted. “Where are you headed to?”
“Fuck! I need to go. My cab is here.” I said hurriedly, rushing towards the exit, and counting the steps out of habit.
However, bright windows and doors were the easiest things for me to make out with the difference in not only light and shadows, but also the heat. I could hear the difference as well. The cars outside, or the mowers, the breeze through the trees. Everything together made the sound of outside different from the sound of inside.
“Hey, Viddy. Wait up. Where are you going?” Trance asked at my side.
“I have a doctor’s appointment. Why?” I said, hurrying out of the door.
Once I made it down the steps, Trance pulled me up short. “Jesus Christ, you just scared the shit out of me.”
I turned my head towards him, completely confused. “Why?”
“You just practically threw yourself down the stairs. You know, they have ramps for a reason.” He growled, taking a hold of my hand and leading me towards...somewhere.
“Step down.” Trance said, slowing slightly.
I stepped down off the curb before being pulled to a stop.
I heard a door being opened, and then my body was being gently positioned until I was pushed into Trance’s cruiser.
“Watch your hands.” Trance said just before he closed the door.
I rolled my eyes as I waited for my knight in shining armor to get Radar in the car, followed shortly by himself before he started the car up and drove out of the parking lot.
He slowed, though, and I heard his window roll down. Then he said, “She doesn’t need a ride. Sorry about that.”
I heard the zzzzzip of the window rolling up, and then silence as we exited the school.
“Who usually takes you to school?” Trance asked after a few more long moments of silence.