Page 73 of More Than a Hero
“Sort of,” he admitted, his voice turning serious. “I’m going to check on Robert Reeves. I just wanted to make sure he had my card in case he ever needs to call me.”
She arched a brow. “Well, that’s a coincidence because I was heading to see Jed Reeves, his grandfather.”
Pete nodded.
“Then I take it Robert’s back at home?”
“Yes,” he confirmed. “The DA agreed there was no reason to charge him.”
A deep, relieved sigh escaped her lips. “That’s good. For him, but also for the family.”
He nodded, his gaze steady, and without another word, they fell into step together, making their way toward the Reeves’s apartment.
When Robert’s mother opened the door, her expression instantly brightened at the sight of Angie, but as her gaze shifted, her eyes went wide at seeing Pete standing just beside her.
Pete, ever aware, was quick to ease any tension. He held his hands up slightly, his voice calm and reassuring. “I’m just here to make sure Robert got home safely and that everything’s okay. I also wanted to give him my card in case he ever wants to reach out.”
Mrs. Reeves visibly relaxed, her shoulders easing as she stepped back, motioning them inside. “Of course, come on in.”
Inside, Angie’s attention was immediately drawn to Jed Reeves, the older man sitting near the kitchen table. She smiled, greeting him first, then turned to the two younger children sitting at the table, their book bags leaning against their chairs. They eyed the visitors curiously but didn’t stop what they were doing.
Her gaze then landed on a lanky teenage boy sitting near Jed, his posture slightly hunched, as if he wasn’t quite sure how to carry himself in the room. His movements were hesitant, guarded.
She could see the uncertainty in his eyes, the way they darted between her and Pete. He looked wary but not defiant—just a kid who’d been through something big and wasn’t sure what to make of it all yet.
Angie softened her smile and walked toward him. “Mr. Reeves,” she said, looking at Jed first. “I see good things happened for the family today.”
“Oh, Ms. Angie,” Jed exhaled, his relief palpable. “They decided my grandson could come home. No charges, nothing.”
Her heart warmed at the joy in his voice, but she didn’t miss the way Robert was subtly glancing at her, unsure of what to expect.
Without hesitation, she stepped closer and thrust out her hand. “Hello, Robert. I’m Angie Brown—I work with some of the older persons in the county. I’m so glad you’re home.”
For a moment, he hesitated, his fingers twitching slightly before he ducked his head and reached out, shaking her hand. “Thank you, Ms. Brown,” he said, his voice quiet but sincere.
Then his eyes shifted toward Pete, and like his mother before him, they widened slightly.
Pete didn’t waste a second. He moved forward smoothly, extending his own hand, his presence steady but not imposing.
“Robert,” Pete said with an easy nod. “It’s good to see you at home. I only stopped by to make sure you got back safe and sound. And I wanted to give you my card.” He held it out. “I wasn’t sure if you were able to keep the one I gave you before, but you have this now. It has my work number, and it also has my cell number.”
Robert’s gaze flickered between Pete’s face and the card, a trace of something unreadable passing through his expression. Slowly, he reached out, taking the card carefully, his fingers gripping it like it was more than just a piece of paper.
Angie watched the interaction closely, something in her chest tightening at the unspoken connection happening in front of her. Pete wasn’t just doing his job—he was making sure this kid knew he wasn’t alone.
Robert turned the card over in his fingers, studying it for a moment. There was hesitation in his posture, a wariness that Angie recognized as the natural instinct of a kid who wasn’t sure who to trust. But then, something in Pete’s steady expression must have reassured him, because Robert gave a small nod.
Pete met his gaze directly, his voice calm but firm. “You don’t have to use it, but I want you to know it’s there if you ever need it. No pressure. No expectations. Just an option.”
“Thanks,” he said, his voice still subdued but carrying a note of something deeper—maybe relief mixed with gratitude. “You talked to the attorney lady, right? You’re the reason I got to come home.”
Pete shook his head slightly, keeping his voice even. “I just made sure she had all the information to make the right decision.”
Angie swore she saw Robert swallow hard, but he gave another small nod before tucking the card into his pocket.
Mrs. Reeves, still standing nearby, let out a quiet breath, as if she hadn’t realized she’d been holding it. She wiped her hands on a dish towel and offered a genuine smile. “I really appreciate you stopping by, Detective Bolton. This has been… a lot, for all of us.”
Pete inclined his head. “I can only imagine.”
