Page 71 of More Than a Hero
Pete exchanged a glance with Jeremy. “Are they working with or against the G-Shine?”
Munfries snorted. “Who the fuck knows? I don’t even think they know.”
Pete chuckled, shaking his head. They talked for a few more minutes, but Munfries didn’t have any fresh intel. Pete thanked him and hung up, staring at the computer screen in thought.
Jeremy stretched, rolling his shoulders as he glanced at the clock. “What’s next?”
Pete reached for his phone again. “I’m gonna check on Robert.” He dialed the jail, his jaw tightening as he waited for someone to pick up. When the deputy on duty finally answered, Pete asked about Robert’s status.
“His mother picked him up about an hour ago,” the deputy replied.
Pete nodded to himself. “Thanks.”
Hanging up, he looked over at Jeremy. “It’s almost the end of the day. I’m going to run by Robert’s apartment to make sure he got home okay and see if he can confirm that Tamarcus Waters is the guy he saw with Lashawn. I’ll show him the picture, leave him my card, and let him know he’s got someone looking out for him.”
Jeremy gave a nod of approval. “Sounds good.”
The two men grabbed their things and headed out together. Once outside, Pete made his way to his vehicle and, before getting in, pulled off his protective vest. He kept his weapon holstered but tugged on a jacket to conceal it. He didn’t want to walk into Robert’s place with his outfit screaming DTF, but at the same time, this was professional, even if he was also checking in personally.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, he exhaled, gripping the wheel for a moment before starting the engine. The day wasn’t over yet.
29
Angie sat with Marty in his apartment, assisting him with the online forms he needed to complete for the hearing aid he hoped to qualify for.
“I don’t understand why I have to do this with a computer,” he grumbled. “I can’t see the little print good enough.”
“I know, and I’m so sorry. There are a lot of changes that make it more difficult for some people to get the services they need, but that’s why I’m helping today. I printed off the forms for you, and we can do them together.” She looked at the form, focusing on the next of kin. “I didn’t realize you had a relative nearby.”
“Oh, I don’t. I put that down because it looked bad to leave it blank. That’s my great-nephew. He don’t come around much. In fact, I just met him. But he now drops by occasionally. Lives in Norfolk.”
Angie nodded. “Okay. Um… is he someone you trust with your medical information?”
Marty’s brows drooped. “I reckon. I don’t have any secrets. Lord knows, when I kick the bucket, there won’t be any money to give to anyone, so he can’t be visiting for that reason.”
“Okay, well, we’ll leave it then.”
A sudden knock on the door startled both of them. Angie glanced up from the stack of forms she and Marty had been working on, her brows drawing together.
“I’ll see who it is,” she said, pushing back her chair.
She moved to the door and peeked through the security hole, blinking in surprise. “It’s Jimmy! How did he get here?”
Marty chuckled, setting his pen down. “He rides his bike over sometimes. I forgot he said he’d be coming by today. Go ahead, let him in.”
Angie unlocked the door and swung it open, revealing a slightly startled but grinning Jimmy.
“Ms. Angie! I didn’t expect to see you here!” he said as he stepped inside, his energy filling the space.
Angie laughed, motioning for him to come in. “Funny, I was just saying the same thing to Mr. Marty. He told me you ride your bike over to visit.”
Jimmy nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! Me and a couple of the guys come over after school now and then.”
Angie folded her arms, tilting her head at him. “I hope you’re being careful.”
“Oh, we are,” he assured her quickly. “It’s a little farther, but if we take Weyburn Road from our apartment building and circle onto Parsley, we don’t have to get out on the highway.”
She nodded, considering the route. “You know, you’re right. Since I drove down the highway, I never thought about going that way.”
