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“We’ll find him,” said Parker. “If they’re breaking into those storage units, we’ll be able to figure out who did it. In the meantime, I’ll get some of the guys to go out and buy new stuff, although it’s going to be ridiculously expensive, and we may not find some of those things again.”
“It’s not the money for buying new things,” said Gaspar, “it’s knowing that people are willing to do this shit at Christmas. Those little boys and girls got nothing except us. They don’t have parents, grandparents, no one who cares. This was the one thing we could do for them.”
“And we still will,” said Eric. “Don’t worry, it will all work out.”
“Hey, I think you guys need to see this news story,” said Code. “Some kids were caught breaking into storage units all around the city. I think we might have caught our bandits.”
“Kids? Shit, that’s the last thing I wanted. I don’t want to beat the hell out of some kid,” frowned Hex.
“We won’t beat any children,” smirked Luke. “Let’s go talk to these kids and see what’s going on.”
“Everybody still working out at the island?” asked Miller.
“Yep. I don’t know why we didn’t think about it before. It’s a great use of the space, far enough away from all of us, close enough to shore that folks can just take a pirogue or canoe out there. It’s gonna be epic.”
“Good,” nodded Gaspar. “Alright, let’s go talk to our bandits. I’m gonna try to be nice since it’s the holiday season.” Luke nudged Eric and Cam, pointing to his father.
“Hey, Dad? Maybe leave the gun at home. We don’t want any accidents.”
“I’m a professional. If I shoot someone, it’s never an accident.” He walked toward the waiting SUV and grinned at his son. “Fine. I’ll leave it in the car. Let’s go.”
“Kids. Fucking kids. Jesus, we all did stupid shit as kids, but stealing toys and clothes earmarked for someone else for Christmas is not one of them,” said Gaspar.
“Let’s just try to remain calm,” said Angel.
The juvenile detention facility was not giving off happy vibes. The fifteen-foot fences covered in razor wire, windowless brick buildings, and the cold rain made it feel more like a horror movie.
But to put kids into a regular facility with adult males would have been cruel. At least this way they kept them from general population as long as they could.
“Mornin’, Gaspar, Nine, all of ‘ya. This a family affair?” asked Sheriff Palmer.
“Sort of. We heard you caught some boys that had been breaking into storage units. We think two of them were ours,” said Gaspar.
“Oh, shit. Don’t think these boys knew that. We’ve got ‘em separated in rooms right now. One of ‘em is awful young or seems young compared to the others. The other boys were beatin’ up on him when we found ‘em. Don’t know what it’s about.”
“That’s the one I want to talk to,” said Nine. Cam pulled back on his father’s arm, staring at him. “He’s a kid. I won’t kill him.”
Nine and Gaspar walked into the room, and sitting at the table, his face swollen, his lip busted, was Joshua.
“You.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, shaking his head. “I didn’t know it was your storage unit. I realized it when we opened it.”
“Why? Why did you do it?”
“The man said I couldn’t be in the group unless I did this. He said some rich dudes were buying up all kinds of stuff and keeping it for themselves. He said we were gonna be like Robin Hood and his merry men, giving stuff away. I just wanted to do that. Give stuff away.”
“What man?” asked Nine.
“Says his name is Thompson, but I know he’s lying. His real name is Tolbert.”
“How do you know that?” asked Gaspar.
“He worked with Mr. Couvillion on the boats that my grandfather was on. I think he’s just mad ‘cause Mr. Matthew told him he couldn’t work for him any longer. He said he won’t have men who are drunk and on drugs on the boats. That they put the other men in danger.” Nine and Gaspar stared at the young man, waiting for more. “I-I sort of eavesdropped.”
“Where is this man now?” Joshua shrugged his shoulders, wincing as he did. “Did someone from medical come and look at you?”
“No, sir, not yet.” Nine texted Angel to come into the room with Wilson. A few minutes later, they were kneeling by the boy.
