“I’ll add it to the list and will see if I have a chance to look around on my way back.”
Barely two-and-a-half hours later, when Special Agent Jason Mancuso shows up at the station, I feel reasonably prepared, thanks to Rick’s suggestion.Still, it isn’t easy to hand over the reins, no matter how nice a guy Mancuso is.He has me walk through the investigation to date, asking very pointed questions when I get to the attack on Remi and the things he confessed to me earlier in the day.
His intense focus on my son is a bit alarming.Mainly because his concern validates my fears, and negates what might otherwise have been conceived as parental paranoia on my part.
But that doesn’t stop me from feeling nervous when, a short while later, I find myself walking across the parking lot to the firehouse, with Mancuso on my heels.
Clem
I’m just aboutto close the bay door, when I catch sight of them: Tessa, marching this way at a fair clip, with some suit close behind her.
I have no idea who the guy is, but I’m willing to bet he’s law enforcement, and something about his expression has me brace for trouble.
“Clem, meet Special Agent Jason Mancuso.Jason, this is Clem Tanek, he owns this place.”
Although there is technically nothing wrong with the way she introduces me, it doesn’t sit well.It feels too impersonal, but I guess she’s working here in an official capacity.Besides, we haven’t even gone out on a date yet, so I’m not sure how else she could describe our connection.
Or maybe it’s just that I’m suddenly very conscious of my worn flannel shirt, oil-stained jeans, and the grease stuck to my hands and under my nails.
The guy surprises me when he holds out his hand, and I quickly grab my rag to give mine an extra wipe before accepting.
“Jason wants to talk to Remi, is he upstairs?”Tessa asks.
“Yeah, he’s been up there all afternoon.I’ve been checking in on him from time to time.”
She makes a move toward the stairs when her companion speaks up.
“You go on ahead, Tessa, I want to have a quick word with Clem.”
She stops and looks at me with an eyebrow raised.At my nod, she continues up the stairs.
When I return my attention to the agent, I catch him looking after Tessa before he focuses on me.
“Is there something going on I should know about?”
The blunt question takes me by surprise and for a moment I’m not sure how to respond, but then I get pissed.
“Do people generally respond to a question like that?”I finally fire back.“First of all, I just met you, so I have no way to know what you should or should not know about, and aside from that, where the hell do you come off asking something like that in the first place?”
“Relax,” he returns, his hands raised defensively.“I’m just getting the lay of the land here.She’s beautiful, smart too.”
“I’m well aware, thank youfuckingmuch.”
The grin I get in response does little to stop me from wanting to plant my fist in his face.I think maybe I’ve been goaded.
But the next moment he suddenly turns serious.
“Interpersonal dynamics are important for me to understand in order to get a full picture of the situation.I have information that suggests that kid up there might be in danger, and so could his family.This was a fast way for me to find out if you’re friend or foe, which is going to be helpful when decisions need to be made about their safety.”
I feel my anger deflate like a balloon.
“Whatever it takes.”
He claps me on the shoulder.
“Good.Let’s get this done.”
Upstairs we find Remi asleep on the couch, covered with the blanket that took me four months to finish.Tessa is in the kitchen, waiting by the coffee maker for her mug to fill.
