Page 33 of Hot Damn
“Two? How the hell did that happened?”
“Beckett, I understand that you’re concerned for yourdaughter and if I didn’t think it would wake her up, I’d go upstairs and take a picture of her sleeping soundly in her own bed, not a scratch on her.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll wait until you’re finished.”
“Right. When she came out of school this afternoon, she discovered she had a flat tire. Not a minute later the principal walked up and offered to help her change it. The problem they found when they went to retrieve the jack and spare from her trunk was that the opposite tire on her car was also flat.”
“What the fuck?”
“Yes. That was my thought when I arrived but let me tell you the rest first. So the principal suggested she get the car towed and call someone to come get her except when she pulled her phone out, her battery was dead. The principal offered to make the call for her. Luckily, Oakley saw fit to give her a list of numbers to call if she ever couldn’t get hold of you. Hers, Nat’s, Blake’s, and mine are top of that list. Unfortunately, the other three are away with you so they called me.”
“Thank you.”
I pause, the genuineness in his voice making me forget the interruption. “You’re welcome. Anyway, when I got to the school and saw her car, I was puzzled by the two flat tires. Didn’t bother asking her about it because I wanted to get the car sorted and her home. I offered to cook her and Mrs. Gerber dinner then stay here because those two opposite flat tires didn’t sit right.”
“I appreciate your help even if it sounds like I don’t. I’m not used to anyone else taking care of things with Whit.”
“Again, you’re welcome. But let me get to the part about why I wanted you to call me. I had her car towed to my mechanic. I’ve been using him for years and he’s trustworthy. The tow truck driver was confused by the tires and asked Whitney if she’d run over anything; she assured us she hadn’t. On the side to me, he said he’d speak to Cal and get him to call me. Cal called me after dinner.”
“And?”
“Someone let those tires down. There’s nothing wrong with them. No nails in them, no tears from hitting a gutter, nothing. They’re in perfect condition. Cal said they aren’t even wearing unevenly or anything.”
“They were let down on purpose?”
“That’s Cal’s guess. Mine too.”
“Who would want to do that?”
“I wanted to ask Whitney if she’d had a fight or disagreement with anyone at school but she’s not my daughter; it’s not my place to ask.”
“Right. Okay, and she’s all right?”
“She’s fine. No hint that something might be wrong. Although we did talk about the two times reporters were waiting for her outside school and here at the house.”
“At the house? She didn’t tell me about that. I knew about the school incident and spoke to the principal about it and he promised to be more vigilant.”
“Explains why he was out there when she left this afternoon.”
My mind spins with possibilities and explanations and the only thing I can come up with other than another kid doing it as a prank or revenge is someone did it to strand Whitney outside her school.
“It might have been someone hoping to catch her there. Possibly a reporter looking to strand her there to get to ask questions or take pictures?”
“Is that a question?”
“Kind of. I’m not sure I buy that explanation but it’s a possibility as much as another kid doing it.”
“What reporter would do that? You told me you’re not all like the guy from the other night.”
“I did and it’s the truth but he’s still around somewhere. He seemed too invested in digging up dirt on you for my liking. Besides, he’s still trying to get the Rogues to pay to replace his phone.” A smile curls my lips. Nat is giving him the runaroundon that. Although she intends to have it replaced, just on her timeline, not his.
“I don’t know what to think. Or what to do.”
“If I were you, I’d ask Whitney about anyone she might have argued with at school. It seems like a prank to me. Something a boy might do if he wanted her attention…” The more I think about it, the more possibilities I come up with. “Maybe a boy likes her and wanted to come to the rescue?”
“Again with a question.” I can hear the smile in Beckett’s voice. “It’s late and I’ve got to be up early to fly home. Can you stay at the house with Whit until she goes to school?”
“I can. I’ll even drop her off. Cal said he’ll have the car ready to pick up in the morning but if you want, I can swing past your house and grab you after lunch and we can get it before Whitney finishes school.”
