Page 56 of More Than a Hero
Reluctantly, the boys sat, their gazes darting between one another. Pete leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly. “Here’s the deal. I’m only talking to you oldest ones for now. We just found out a Pennsylvania Bloods gang member has been hanging around your apartment building.”
A collective silence fell over the group. Wide eyes. Shoulders stiffening. A few exchanged glances, the weight of what Pete said settling in.
“Are you serious?” Jalen asked, brows furrowing.
“No way,” David muttered.
“I need you guys to be smart,” Pete continued. “Stay away from anyone suspicious. Don’t get involved. Keep yourselves safe.”
Tony hesitated, then spoke up. “Does this have anything to do with that car chase and arrest yesterday? Everyone’s been talking about it.”
Pete nodded. “Yeah, it does. That gang member picked someone up from your complex, said they were going to grab some food. Next thing you know, it turned into a high-speed chase, a crash, and a major drug bust.”
“Damn,” the boys muttered in unison.
David crossed his arms. “Someone said it was Robert.”
Pete’s gaze sharpened. “Is Robert someone you hang out with?”
Tony and David immediately shook their heads.
“I don’t,” Jalen said. “He’s older.”
“I live at the far end of the complex,” Jimmy added. “I never see him. But I think his brother and sister ride the elementary bus.”
Caleb nudged Tony. “His apartment isn’t far from ours. You see him sometimes, right?”
Tony shrugged, looking uncomfortable. “Yeah, but I never saw him with anyone I thought was a gang member.”
Jalen let out a low whistle. “They teach us about the signs in school. The tats, the colors. My mama would beat my ass if she even thought I was talking to someone in a gang.”
Caleb nodded. “Honestly, Mr. Pete, I go home, help my mom with dinner, Kyron and I do our homework, then we go to bed. Sometimes I hang out, but it’s with kids I know. The ones I trust.”
Pete gave him an approving nod. “Smart.”
Jeremy leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “That’s exactly what you should do. Keep your friends close. Know who’s worth trusting.”
Jimmy hesitated, licking his bottom lip before finally asking, “You want us to watch out for you? Let you know if we see something?”
Pete’s expression hardened instantly. “Absolutely not.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. “Listen to me, all of you. These gangs? They’re dangerous. The man we arrested yesterday? Bloods. That’s serious. If someone threatens you, I want to know. If you see something that doesn’t sit right, get somewhere safe, then call me. But don’t go looking for trouble. Don’t ask questions. That’s how people get hurt.”
He held each boy’s gaze, one by one, making sure they understood. “Say it back to me.”
All five echoed at once. “I get it.”
Pete exhaled. “Good. Now, I’ll see you guys later. And have a good time with the grandparents later this week.”
Jeremy stood, heading to the door. Ms. Lipton was already there, waiting. She handed each boy a pass and shot Pete and Jeremy a reassuring smile. “Thank you, Detectives.”
As they walked out of the school and back to their cruiser, Pete glanced at Jeremy. “I’m following up with the detectives in Philly. I want to know what the hell Lashawn is doing down here.Running drugs through our area is one thing, but recruiting? That’s a whole different problem.”
Jeremy nodded grimly. “We already have Bloods here. We don’t need them expanding.”
Pete agreed, but as they drove off, he wondered if that was possible.
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Angie glanced up from her desk as the ESAAA receptionist called out, "Angie, you’ve got a call on line four."
