Page 74 of More Than a Hero
“Yeah, thank you,” Robert echoed quickly, his gaze still locked on Pete. Then his brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of realization passing over his face. “Wait—you’re the officer who talks to some of the kids around here, right?”
Pete nodded. “That’s right. I run a mentorship program for a few middle schoolers who don’t have someone in their life to give them a helping hand.”
Robert’s eyes flickered toward his grandfather, something unspoken passing between them. “I’m lucky,” he said after a moment. “I got Mom and Granddad.”
Pete’s smile was warm and understanding. “Yes, you are. You’ve got your granddad as a good role model.” He paused, then added, “But if you ever want to make some new friends, I know they’re in middle school, but the boys I work with arereally good kids. A couple are fourteen, pretty close to your age. Some will be in high school next year.”
Robert considered that, nodding slightly. “Thanks,” he murmured, and this time, when he pocketed the card, it wasn’t with hesitation.
Angie could feel the tension in the room beginning to ease, the atmosphere shifting from apprehensive to something lighter. She turned back to Jed, her voice warm. “And how are you, Mr. Reeves?”
While Pete and Robert chatted briefly, Angie took a seat next to Jed, lowering her voice as she leaned in. “I take it with Robert home, you won’t be needing anyone extra in the house right now?”
Jed let out a chuckle, shaking his head. “That’s right, Ms. Angie. And now I feel like a damn fool for having you give up your time and energy trying to figure out what to do, only for Robert to come home the very next day.”
Angie reached out, covering his weathered hand with her own. “Never feel bad about that,” she said, her voice gentle but firm. “That’s what we’re here for. I’m just glad things turned out the way they did.”
Jed gave her a grateful look, patting her hand in return.
After speaking briefly with Mrs. Reeves, Angie and Pete made their way toward the door. Before Pete could step away, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his phone. “Robert, before I go, I need you to take a look at something.”
Robert’s posture stiffened slightly, but he nodded. Pete swiped across the screen and pulled up a mug shot. The image of a man with sharp features, a distinct mole near his nose, and a tattooed star on his throat filled the screen.
Robert’s eyes widened. “Yeah… yeah, that’s him.” He exhaled sharply, shifting his weight. “That’s the guy who came with Lashawn the first time he talked to me.”
Pete’s expression didn’t change, but Angie saw the flicker of confirmation in his eyes. “You sure?” Pete pressed, his voice calm but firm.
Robert nodded again. “Positive. But… I haven’t seen him in a couple of months. Not after he stopped coming with Lashawn.”
Angie leaned in, studying the photo herself. Her stomach tightened at the sight of the man’s cold stare.
Pete locked his phone and slid it back into his pocket. “Alright, good to know. Thanks, Robert. If you do see him again, or hear anything about him, let me know.”
Robert’s fingers twitched at his side, but after a beat, he nodded. “Yeah. I will.”
Pete clapped him lightly on the shoulder in reassurance. Then, without another word, he and Angie stepped away, exchanging a glance. As they walked outside, the cool evening air greeted them, carrying the distant sounds of kids playing and neighbors chatting on their balconies.
Angie felt a warmth spread through her chest as she turned her attention back to Pete. His hand rested lightly on her back as they made their way down the stairs toward their vehicles. The air between them had shifted—quieter, heavier with something unspoken yet deeply felt.
Once they reached her van, Pete leaned against the driver’s side and exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “That could’ve gone worse.”
Angie glanced at him, amused. “That was your takeaway?”
He smirked. “What? Did you expect me to say something profound?”
She rolled her eyes but smiled. “I just think it’s nice to see a little proof that the system doesn’t always fail. That a kid who got caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time actually got to go home.”
Pete looked at her for a long moment, something unreadable in his expression. Then, without warning, he reached out and brushed his knuckles lightly over her arm. It was a fleeting touch, but enough to make her skin tingle.
“You’ve got a good heart, Angie.”
She swallowed, her breath catching slightly at the way he was looking at her. The easy charm in his expression had faded, replaced by something deeper, something that made her pulse jump.
“You have to return the van?”
“Yeah,” she said, resting her hand on the door handle. “I’ll drop it off, then head home.”
He nodded, considering something before pushing off the vehicle. “How about I grab some dinner from the Italian place down the road and bring it to you?”
