“Shouldn’t the search for truth count for something?”
“Sure, but it’s not your job to find it.”
“The police think they have their man, and Noel can’t afford to hire a PI. Will it really matter if I ask a couple more discreet questions?”
Lou’s eyes narrowed. “It will if that question freaks out a murderer. What if someone fires a bullet through Summer’s window?” Lou placed Ralphie in Casey’s lap.
“You’re right.”
“Can I stay the night?” he asked. “I’m too beat to drive.”
“You don’t need a reason, and thanks for coming with me tonight.”
He headed for the bedroom. “I’d do anything for you, you know that.”
She did know and was grateful. As Lou left the room, Ralphie nestled in her lap. Casey touched his fur and began to pat him. His soft cooing made her smile. Ralphie had never cooed for her before.
“Maybe things will work out, huh, Ralphie? Maybe I can prove Noel’s and Roberto’s and Wesley’s innocence, and then things can get back to normal. What do ya think?”
A warm wet puddle seeped into her jeans.
ELEVEN
THE MOMENT CASEY SPOTTED THE warring groups of kids exchanging dagger stares, she knew this would be a bad shift. The freckled boy who’d been stealing glances at the pretty, leather-jacket girl over recent shifts was now sporting a crimson face and staring at the ground. The object of his affection stood behind her brother, preventing Casey from seeing her face. What had happened?
As usual, the jackets ambled toward the M10 bus in front of their rivals. The brother, whom she’d learned was called Mo, maneuvered his sister to the head of the pack. The girl’s large sullen eyes met Casey’s and then looked away. Behind them, the ball-capped bunch jogged up the steps and sought their usual seats at the front.
As Casey headed for a spot midway between the groups, she scanned the passengers’ uneasy expressions. Marie perched on the edge of her seat, near the jackets, and watched every move they made. The tension swirling around these kids was so strong that one could almost feel an electrical charge.
A couple of elderly passengers bristled in their seats across from Casey. The lady in the aisle seat gripped her cane with both hands and murmured to her friend. The women shook their heads at the group in front. From his driver’s seat, Lou turned and gave Casey a wary glance. She returned a don’t-like-this-either look. She noticed that he didn’t look at Marie. Neither of them had spoken to her this morning, nor had Marie asked for Casey’s decision about helping Noel, which was just as well. She still hadn’t made up her mind.
As the freckled boy rummaged through his backpack, he glanced at the pretty girl.
Mo sprang into the aisle. “Scott, you freak! How many times do I gotta tell you get your ugly eyes off her!”
Casey and Marie both stood.
“Sit down right now,” Marie said to Mo.
Scott moved down the aisle as his hands curled into fists. “She’s the one who asked for my notes.”
“Liar!” Mo charged forward until Casey blocked his path.
“Both of you, sit down. Now!”
The boys glowered at each other.
“Hello?” Casey waved at Mo. “Are you listening? If you don’t do as I ask, you walk home, understand?”
Mo’s friends started to rise.
“I said sit down!” Marie ordered.
The sister remained seated, her pensive eyes focused on the boys. As Scott and Mo stepped closer to each other, Lou slowed the bus. Standing sideways in the aisle, Casey held out her arms until her fingertips touched their chests.
“The driver’s pulling over; last chance, guys.” If they were listening, they didn’t show it. “Did you hear—” Casey found herself sandwiched between the grappling boys. Someone tugged on her jacket. Spittle landed on her cheek. “Stop it!” She squirmed to free her arms.
Scott was a little shorter than her, Mo half a head taller. The bus lurched to a stop, knocking the boys off balance and enabling Casey to wedge her elbows against their chests.
“Enough!” Marie yelled. “You two are out of here.”
“All right, kids,” Lou called out. “Back off.”
The boys kept scowling at each other. Neither of them moved. Marie reached Mo just as Scott shoved past Casey and drove his fist into Mo’s stomach. Mo lost his balance and grabbed Casey’s arm. She tried to break free but couldn’t and went down with him. The back of her head thudded against the floor.
“Casey!”
She heard Lou’s voice, but her eyes were shut tight as waves of pain ricocheted around her head. Mo’s leg jostled under her right thigh and then slid free. The back of her head felt like it was on fire. She opened her eyes, but wavering black dots made it hard to focus on the faces hovering above her.
“Casey?” Lou asked. “Are you okay, hon?”
“I think so.” She closed her eyes again, hoping the dots would go away. Her head pounded so hard she could only hear snippets of chatter.
“Sorry, lady.” Mo’s voice. “I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“Move back!” Lou reached for Casey’s arm. “Let’s get you up.”
Hands slid under her back. Pain shot across her skull as they helped her sit up.
“Where are you hurt?” Lou asked. “It’s your head, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
Casey squinted while hands clasped her back and shoulders. Nausea rippled through her as she was lifted off the floor and into a seat. Perspiration dampened her upper lip.
Lou’s warm hands touched her cheeks. “I’ll call for an ambulance.”
“Don’t, I just need aspirin and a cold pack.”
“You might have a concussion.”
“Sorry about what happened.” Scott looked panic-stricken as he appeared in front of her. “I didn’t mean for you to get hurt.”
Before she could respond, Lou turned on the kid. “She asked you to stop and you didn’t!” He removed a notepad from his shirt pocket. “I want your name and phone number.”
After Scott mumbled the information, he and his friends left the bus.
A minute later, Marie reappeared. “The other bunch is leaving too. I’ve got their names and numbers.”
Lou turned to Casey, his eyes filled with worry and what she thought might be fear. “You look so pale.”
“I’m fine.” She tried a smile, but it made her feel worse. “I blew it again.”
“You took action from the get-go, and of course you couldn’t manhandle a bunch of kids, especially after what Jasmine did.”
Casey started to shake her head, but it hurt too much. “I’m off my game. Can’t even catch the stupid rockhound.”
“Lou, it looks like the fight’s continuing outside,” Marie said. “It’d be safer if we call the police rather than intervene.”
“Then do it,” he said as he studied Casey. “Let me check your head.”
His fingertips began a gentle probe until she gasped with pain. “You’re already swelling. I’ll get a pack from the first aid kit.”
Casey took slow, deep breaths to calm her churning stomach. Around her, passengers muttered things she couldn’t quite decipher.
As Lou returned, he hit the pack, then shook it. “Here, it’s already getting cold.” He handed the pack to Casey. “I don’t have any painkillers, but I’ll see if Marie does.” He squeezed her hands. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital?”
“Absolutely.” Carefully, she held the pack against the part that hurt the most.
“Okay, call if you need me.”
Marie joined them. “Are you all right, Casey?”