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“For now. Before, I only had him for a couple of weeks in the summer and the occasional holiday since they lived in Texas.”
I couldn’t tell if it was a welcome change. From the set of his shoulders, I’d say it had been a difficult adjustment. “How’s he settling in?”
“He had to move away from his friends and change schools. He’s not thrilled. Like any kid would be in that situation.”
We fell silent, one of our tactics when a witness wasn’t entirely comfortable being forthcoming. Most people liked to fill the silence, especially when two uniformed officers were standing in front of them.
“I tried to instill rules and structure, but I get the impression things were different at his mom’s. Mainly because he constantly tells me his mom didn’t care what he was doing or where he was going. I regret not being more involved, but he’s here now.”
That one statement told me he was invested.
“You don’t want him getting into trouble?” Dexter asked.
His lips twisted. “Of course not.”
“You mind if we ask Corey a few questions? You’d be with him the whole time,” Dexter said.
“We can’t without your permission,” I added.
Ryan’s lips pursed. “I’ll talk to my lawyer first. We had one help us with the permits for the garage, she might be able to help with this.”
“You have the right to do so. Check your inventory and keep an eye on what he’s carrying to school, whether he’s leaving for lunch, where he’s going.” I used my stern cop voice, the one that didn’t allow questions.
Ryan nodded, relief flooding his gaze that we were wrapping this up. “I will.”
“Thanks for taking the time to talk to us,” Dexter added as if Ryan had a choice.
Walking toward our squad cars, I asked Dexter, “You think he will?”
“I get the impression he doesn’t want him in trouble. Especially not with the law.”
“Me too.” I felt for him. Raising a kid at that preteen age when he’d primarily lived with his mother, apparently without much guidance, was going to come with problems.
Dexter opened his door, resting his wrist on it. “Hopefully, he’ll cooperate. Best case, he gets community service, his dad keeps closer tabs on him, and he gets counseling. Custody situations, especially when parents live far apart, are never fun.”
“They’re not,” I said, even though I had no experience with it personally. I was frequently called to facilitate exchanges for visitation and violations of custody orders. I hated that kids were put in the middle.
“Let’s check back in with him in a few days,” Dexter said before ducking into his car.
I felt better knowing Ryan seemed invested in Corey, even if his experience being his dad had been limited. He’d said all the right things. Hopefully, he’d keep a closer eye on him and the paint they kept in the garage.
I wanted to think this would end well, but I couldn’t help but think the worst. That this kid was acting out because of his recent change of circumstances, or he was pulling the same shit he did in Texas, and his mom couldn’t handle it. The latter seemed more likely.
