Page 43 of Wire
Rhodie catches my eye and gives me a look. I’ve known him for long enough now to know that he’s asking if we can trust mydad. He may have been hooked on some shit back in the day, but even then he was dangerously honest. There’s no way he’d cross us. Giving him a subtle nod, he flicks his gaze at my father.
“We’re after him. He’s been fucking with us, and he’s not fit to parent. Think you could call us if you see him?”
“Fuck yes. I’ve had the police out a few times, but Davey Martin just fobs Jayla’s disappearance off as a druggy mother out looking to score. Jayla doesn’t do drugs. Her fuckhead boyfriend does.”
“Wait, Davey Martin? As in Davey who’s mom is Brenda? Used to live a few trailers down from you and Sandra?” I squint at my dad.
“Yeah. That little turd grew up to be a cop. Comes around here bullying and acting like an asshole.”
“Wait, that Officer Martin dickhead that threw his weight around at Tav’s party?” Rhodie asks.
“Yeah. Shit, I didn’t recognize him. Not even when I ran a background check on him.”
“He moved him and his mom out as soon as he became a cop. He’s done fuck all to help around here other than tell us Jayla is a junkie and Jovie is fine living in that trailer with her father. Do me a favor Saint? Get rid of her piece of shit father and find her a better home.” His face is fierce and I know that just like she did with Remy and me, from the moment I met her, Jovie has wormed her way into his heart.
“Give me your phone.” I type my number into my father’s phone, call myself, and then save his number. I hand it back to him and he blinks a couple of times.
“I know I have no right to ask, but how are your sisters? And your momma?”
I study his face for a moment. “They’re good. Eve is head nurse in the ER in Roxwell. Jade is doing law, and Zoe wants to be a teacher.”
“Good,” sounding choked up, he clears his throat. “That’s good. Your momma still busting balls?”
“You know it.”
Rhodie slaps me on the shoulder and heads to his ride, pulling his phone out, probably letting Tank and Tav know to stand down. Stepping closer to the trellis, I extend my hand to my father. He looks at it before nodding and placing his rough hand in mine.
“Good seeing you, son.”
“You too, Dad.”
Letting go, I walk to my girl, throw my leg over, rev her up.
“I’d put money on it that Officer Martin is somehow involved in this shitshow.” Rhodie says quietly to me and Rider.
“Bet,” I agree, and slowly pull out, throwing a hand up at my dad. We may not have found who we were looking for but we know more than we did five minutes ago and I can god damn guarantee that word will spread around the trailer park who we’re looking for and there won’t be a nook or crannie that this fucker will be able to hide in without someone snitching him out to us.
Chapter Thirteen
Remy
“I’m sorry Miss Remy! I didn’t know the bad man was going to be there and hurt you!” Jovie sobs, her little chest heaving. I pull her into me, wrapping my arms tight around her shuddering body.
We’ve been in here for a while now and every time I calm her down the weight of the situation seems to press on her little shoulders and she starts crying again. It’s not her fault her father is a jerk and Snake is evil.
“Jovie, have you seen Snake before?”
She runs her arm under her nose, catching the drips. “Y-yes. He’s not very nice. He comes to my house, and he scares me.”
“Is that why you were scared of Wire when you saw him?”
She bobs her head. “Yes, but the picture on his jacket is different and he’s your friend, so I know he’s nice.”
I smooth her knotty hair from her face. “He is nice, Jovie, and so are all his brothers. They will help us. But we have to help ourselves a little too. OK?”
“OK.”
Looking around, I see light coming out from behind a board. Standing, I run my fingers along the edge, finding a loosesection. Pulling enough so I can peer around the edge, I find a window that’s been boarded up.