Page 22 of Lethal Justice

“Yeah, right.” Danie had stopped crying now as she spoke with James, and Malco was relieved. He didn’t handle crying females well, whereas James seemed to be at ease with females, full stop. He’d heard this story before but went quiet as he sat beside Danie in the back and let James tell Danie, calming the girl at the same time.

“True story. I was thirteen and fancied this girl in the grade above me. She was beautiful, a cheerleader, and she was always nice to me. So, on her birthday, I waited by her locker with red roses and chocolates and my guitar. I’d written her a song I was going to sing it in front of everyone.” Malco watched as Danie snorted. “Oh no, you didn’t.”

James nodded forlornly. “I really did. I waited, and when she arrived, she looked horrified, but I carried on and sang the song while she stood there looking like she wanted to die of embarrassment.”

“What happened?”

“Her boyfriend, the Captain of the football team no less, came along and laughed at me as he slung his arm around her shoulders, told me to ‘get lost, Romeo’ and the name stuck. My older sisters didn’t speak to me for a week for embarrassing them as well.”

“Wow, and I thought high school was bad. That must have sucked.”

“It did for a bit, but then I discovered the gym and watched the movie Hitch, and now the name fits me better.”

“So I see.”

“So not to make you cry again, but what has you here at this time of night and so upset?” Malco waited for his answer and prayed she didn’t close up on him.

“I know who has Tycen.”

Malco tried to hide his shock and then his anger. He knew if he went on at her for lying, he’d get nowhere. Danie had hidden this knowledge for a reason, and much as he hated it, he had to hear her out.

“And?”

“Can we do this somewhere else?” Danie looked around nervously as if waiting for something bad to happen. He got that; he’d been the same at her age.

“Sure, I can take you back to the Agency or the center, which do you prefer?”

“The Agency.”

Her answer surprised him, but he didn’t show it.

“Gotcha.”

As James drove, he shot off a quick text to Frida.

Malco: I have Danie with me, and we’re coming into the agency.

He watched the dots jump around as she typed.

Frida: I’m not there. I’m following a lead.

Malco balled his fist at her reply. She knew how dangerous this was, and she was out chasing down leads alone.

Malco: WTF? Why didn’t you wait for me?

Frida: Pot meet kettle!!!

He read the text again and realized what a sexist pig he’d just been, although he liked to think it was more overprotective than sexist.

Malco: Fine, that was out of line. I just don’t want you hurt. You matter to me.

Frida: Way to stop a girl’s snit. Going all caring on her. x

Frida: Also, I’ve got back-up. I’m not an idiot, you know.

Malco: Note to self, sweet stops snit. Glad you’re safe, hope it pans out.

Frida: Sweet won’t work every time, mister, so behave yourself. The lead was a bust. I went to talk to Clark Pool, but he wasn’t around anywhere.