'Factus non verba' Scully said darkly.

Chapter 14

THE PEOPLE RULE

As soon as Shane got home, he called Sandy. She said she was sorry she hadn't gotten in touch with Thackery, but promised she would. She said she'd had a tough two days.

'What'm I supposed to do with Chooch tomorrow?' Shane asked. 'They've got him sitting in detention all day. He's not even going to classes.'

'That guy Thackery is a complete ass,' Sandy said. 'He's on Chooch for smoking dope? What a hypocrite.'

'Not smoking it, Sandy, selling it.'

'I was there at the school two months ago when Chooch enrolled. Thackery was just driving out. He put down the window of his crummy, rusted-out van to talk to me, and the smell of old pot was so strong in that thing, I got a contact high.'

'Sandy, lots of people smoke pot, okay? It's a sad social truth, but there it is. It doesn't matter what Thackery does in his off-hours. You've gotta call him and set up an appointment.'

'Right. Okay, I promise, sugar.'

'You promised yesterday.'

'This time I pledge it. I swear it, okay?' She changed gears. 'You go ahead and take him to school tomorrow. Forget Thackery. I'll have already called that snooty headmaster, Mr. St. John. I'll square him away. That guy is always leering at me. Wants to get in my pants.'

'You always put things so delicately,' Shane said, beginning to wish he'd never met the beautiful raven-haired informant.

'Don't be such a prude. When I get through with St. John, he'll be at Camp Fantasy, pitching a tent in his Jockey shorts. Don't worry about Chooch.'

After she hung up, Shane went outside. Chooch was already out there in one of the metal chairs. Shane dropped his tired ass in the vacant seat beside him. They looked out at the still canal, both lost in separate thoughts. Finally Shane jerked his mind off his department problems and focused on the boy sitting sullenly beside him.

'If your mom and I could keep you in school,' Shane started slowly, 'would you go there and really give it a try?'

'Moot point, 'cause you can't. I already got the scarlet E for 'expel.' I'm gone, brother.'

'Chooch, I've been thinking about it. You're really smart. You've got a great head on your shoulders. You could be something important in life. You have it in you to be anything you want.'

'Like a cop?' he smirked.

'Better than a cop. You could go to college, pick any career. Your mom has money; she'll pay for anything. That's a big advantage for you. It's a chance most guys never get.'

They sat in silence, looking at the still canal water, both of them rocking slowly in the old metal chairs.

'I know you're trying to help, man,' Chooch finally said, 'but it ain't about having a career. Y'know… it's just not what it's about. It goes much deeper than that.'

More silence, then Shane turned in his chair to look at the teenager. 'Wanna know something?' Chooch didn't answer. 'I believe in you, Chooch,' he went on softly. 'I know that whatever you want, you've got the ability to get it. You've got what it takes. I think you're special.'

'That's bullshit,' Chooch shot back.

'No, it's not. I've been watching you… how you handle stuff. You've got guts. You stand up. You walk your own trail. That's very rare. It takes strength of character. Most people can't do that.' More silence. 'Listen. I told you I wouldn't lie to you not ever. So this is the straight stuff. It's what I see in you, and it's impressive.'

Chooch turned his face away from Shane. His breathing had changed. His right hand darted up and brushed his cheek under his eyes. Then he stood up, and anger flared. 'Don't fuck around with me. Okay? I can't take any more bullshit. Just leave me alone.' He moved quickly into the house.

Shane sat in his garden until the setting sun began turning the still canal bright yellow, then orange and purple, and finally black. After the sun surrendered its hold on the day, a cold evening wind came off the ocean, blowing marine air across the coastline. Shane was getting a chill, so he got out of his chair and walked back inside the house.

???

'It's fucking forty minutes too early!' Chooch glowered as Shane pulled up in front of the Harvard Westlake School the next morning. There were no waiting lines of foreign cars as Chooch opened the door and dragged his book bag from the front seat.

'I've got a new duty assignment downtown, so I need to get there early. Live with it,' Shane said.

'Sure, no problem. Live with it. That's my fuckin' motto anyway.' Chooch angrily moved away from the car and sat alone on a bench near the athletic pavilion.

Shane pulled out of the driveway and drove two miles to the Valley Division HQ. He figured if he hurried, he'd be able to get everything done before eight-thirty.

Fifteen minutes later Shane was back in the Harvard Westlake faculty parking lot waiting for Brad Thackery. After ten more minutes the assistant dean of admissions pulled his rusting Ford van into his parking stall and got out. Shane moved to him. 'Good morning, sir,' he said pleasantly.

'Maybe for you, but it's not a good morning for Chooch. I saw him sitting out front when I drove past. Since I still haven't heard from Mrs. Sandoval, you can just go right back around and pick him up and depart the premises, ad quam primum. He is no longer welcome at this school,' Thackery said harshly, then added brusquely, 'and remove your vehicle from faculty parking. This is a restricted area.'

'How do you say that in Latin?'

'I'm through talking to you, whoever you are. Good-bye.'

Shane pulled out his badge and held it up for Brad Thackery to read. Thackery looked at it, surprised, readjusted slightly, then with less anger said, 'Big deal.'

'You're right, it is a big deal, 'specially since your van there is crawling with vehicular irregularities. You wanna put that blinker on? Seems to me it wasn't working when you turned in here.'

'I'm about to get it fixed.'

' 'About to' doesn't cut it,' Shane said. 'Put it on, please. I want to check it out.'

Thackery glared at Shane. 'This is what really gets you guys off, isn't it?'

'Yep. Can't get enough of it.'

As Brad Thackery opened the van, Shane moved to his Acura and opened the back door. A black Labrador jumped out and, with his tongue lolling, followed Shane back to the van. Thackery was leaning into the front seat, fiddling with the blinker and trying to get it to work, when the dog started barking and pacing back and forth along the side of Thackery's van.

'Whoa… whoa… whatta we got here?' Shane said with mock surprise. Thackery jerked his head out of the van.

'Get that dog away from me.'

'This isn't a dog, Mr. Thackery, this is a drug enforcement officer. His name is Krupkee. It looks like Officer Krupkee's got a noseful. Where is it, boy? What ya got?'

The black Lab had moved to the rear of the van and now had both paws up on the spare tire, which was hooked by a locked bracket to the back of the van. Then the black Lab started barking and pawing at the tire.

'Oh boy, this ain't good, Mr. Thackery. You wanna give me the key that releases that back tire?'

'No. No, I don't.'

'Lemme put it another way, sir. Gimme the key, or I'll pry the fucking thing off with my tire jack. Officer Krupkee just gave me probable cause for a search.'

Вы читаете The Tin Collector
Добавить отзыв
ВСЕ ОТЗЫВЫ О КНИГЕ В ИЗБРАННОЕ

0

Вы можете отметить интересные вам фрагменты текста, которые будут доступны по уникальной ссылке в адресной строке браузера.

Отметить Добавить цитату