Page 9 of Tangled Emotions
Two patrol cars turned onto my street and drove around the circle. Once parked, both driver’s doors opened and two officers stood there surveying the road.
Two thoughts hit me simultaneously.
One?I’m the only legal adult outside with these hooligans.
Two?I’m going to jail.
“Evening, Edie.” Officer Campbell looked my way. “You know these kids?”
Say no. Act like you don’t know them.
“Yeah.” I took a long drag off my cigarette.
I’m going to jail.
The main door from the apartment building slammed shut, and I turned to see Evie standing on the porch.
“You there.” The other officer pointed at her. “Go back inside.”
“Why?” her hands went to her hips.
Shit. Shut up, Evelyn, and go inside.
“This ain’t for you to see.” He took three steps closer to the curb.
“That’s my sister.” She came off the porch.
“Is that right?”
“It is.” She nodded.
“Well, how about this then. Why don’t you go back inside your apartment …”
“It’s not my apartment.” She chuffed. “it’s my sister’s. I live over there.” Evie made a vague hand gesture.
Evie, please shut the hell up.
Officer Campbell turned and looked at me with a smile on his face as he spoke to my sister. “Evelyn. Go get a bag, broom, and dustpan for these gentlemen to clean up the mess.”
“Okie dokie.” She turned and went back inside.
I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and took another drag from my cigarette.
“Did you buy the beer for these kids?” The gruff voice went with the unknown officer.
I glanced at his name tag before answering. “No, Officer Garcia, I didn’t.”
“Where’d it come from?” He looked all around and pinned his gaze on me.
“I brought it over.” Cesare walked over to us. “She didn’t have anything to do with it.”
“And who bought it for you?”
Officer Campbell shook his head slightly. Going up against the Cordova family wasn’t smart.
“That’s for me to know.” Cesare crossed his arms over his chest. “But Miss Edith didn’t have anything to do with it.”
I glanced over my shoulder, wondering what was taking Evie so long.