Beadsworth said, “I’ve just spoken to Joseph Lenard. He is alive and staying with a friend. He said something that didn’t make sense, but he said you would understand. He said he was watching television when he heard gunshots, bullets ripped through the window and…I’m not sure if this is correct, but that they hit Michael Jordan?”
I grinned. “A friend.”
“He then saw a flaming bottle come through the window. He didn’t know what else to do but jump through the back window to the porch roof and escaped. We’ll clarify his statements later.”
Joey was alive.
There was silence and then Beadsworth spoke. “Officer Rupret, you’re still welcome to stay at our home until you decide what to do.”
“Can you stop calling me Officer Rupret,” I snapped. “Haven’t we gone through enough? Can’t you call me Jon or Jonny?”
He paused and then said, “Jon.”
Wow.
“Then can I call you Phil or Phillip?” I said.
He thought about it.
“No,” he said, and walked away.
The sun came up. I was the last person to leave the sidewalk and the area. Beadsworth had offered me a ride but I declined. I wanted some time alone. I didn’t know whether I was going to stay in the force or not, but there was one thing I did know for sure. I wanted to go back home and, over tea and biscuits, have a long talk with my mom.
