“I used to hate reading, and then a couple of years back, I kinda got into it.”
The girl finally looked up at her. “You don’t have to try so hard.”
Dawn scrunched up her face. “That obvious?”
The girl nodded.
“Okay, how about I start again. Hi, I’m Dawn Forest. Can I join you for a bit?”
The girl giggled. “You’ve got a funny name.”
Dawn laughed too. “So I’ve been told.”
“I’m Rita Devalos.”
“Nice to meet you, Rita.” Dawn pulled up a big beanbag chair and plopped herself down on it. “This is my first day.”
“Yeah, I noticed.” Rita smiled.
“Have you been coming here long?”
“Three months. Tansy came to talk at our school a few times. On her third visit, I said, ‘Okay, okay, I’ll go!’”
Dawn grinned. “Do you like it here?”
“I don’t really like sports, and I can’t swim or anything. So I just come here to hang out and do my homework.”
“Well, I don’t think I would ever make the Olympic team or anything, but I saw the schedule, and they offer beginner swimming classes on Sunday mornings. Would you be interested tomorrow?”
“My sister drops me off here on her way to work on Saturdays. She doesn’t want me walking anywhere by myself. And Sunday is the only day she gets to sleep in.”
“Well, what if I came by your place, and we could take the subway here together?”
“You would do that?”
“I sure would.”
Rita’s eyes lit up. “Okay.”
Dawn knew she was smiling ear to ear. She was doing it. She was making a difference. And it felt good.
* * *
“Hey, I know those kids over there from school.”
“Do you want to say hi?”
DeVaughn’s excitement was contagious. Luca ruffled his hair and told him to go and play with his friends, and he would be waiting for him in the lounge. He decided to stroll through the place first.
Spotting a canteen at the far end of the large lounge, Luca made his way over to grab a coffee. He heard a noise but didn’t see anyone around, so he leaned over the counter.
“Hi. Is anyone back there?”
A familiar spiky brunette head popped up from below. Wide gray-green eyes stared into his.
“Dawn.” Luca felt just as surprised as she looked.
“Luca! Are you here on police business?”
