“Long Bay.”
Jack’s smile dropped. “Long Bay Prison?”
Aunt Haddie nodded. “With Mrs. Martin.”
“To see J-Dog?”
“Don’t use street names,” Aunt Haddie corrected. “As you are certainly aware,” she lowered her chin and leveled a disapproving stare, “Jay got arrested last night. They are holding him at Long Bay until he is arraigned. Mrs. Martin wants to see her son.”
“They put him in the Bay?” Jack asked. “What did he get arrested for? Was it something to do with the Stacy Shaw disappearance?”
Aunt Haddie’s brow wrinkled. “I’m certain he had nothing to do with that poor woman.”
“But it was Detective Vargas who arrested him. He’s the lead on that investigation.” Jack tipped his head to the side. “That’s a big jackpot if he’s involved.”
“He’s not. Jay just found the woman’s wallet. It’s a misunderstanding.”
“Found it?” Jack scoffed. “You don’t get arrested for finding a wallet. Is that what they took out of the house?”
“It is, and I think that’s enough questions for now. If you’re going to give me and Mrs. Martin a ride, let’s get on with it. And I’m sure Jay will be glad to see you too.”
Jack snorted. “Jay doesn’t want to see me.”
“I know you two have had your differences, but he’ll want to see a friendly face.”
Jack pointed at himself. “When it comes to this face and Jay, there ain’t no ‘friendly’ involved. I can’t stand him, and he hates me right back.”
Aunt Haddie inhaled slowly and once again leveled her gaze at Jack.
Jack swallowed. Not even his father could match the stern look that Aunt Haddie could pull off; she was a master at it. Her stare pinned him in place and he didn’t even think about moving. He couldn’t even look away, though he desperately wanted to.
“I’m sure he doesn’t hate you,” Aunt Haddie said. “I know Jay went through a troubled patch, but he’s been trying very hard since his father passed on last year. I want you on your best behavior.”
Jack’s shoulders slumped. “Yes, ma’am.”
A sweet smile stretched across Aunt Haddie’s face, and she squeezed his hand.
They walked out the door. Michelle and Replacement sat talking on the steps. Aunt Haddie stopped in front of Replacement. “Please watch out for Michelle until we get back. It could be a couple of hours.”
“I will, ma’am.” The girl nodded and squared her shoulders.
Jack shot a puzzled look at Michelle. She winked.
Jack followed Aunt Haddie to the car and held the door open. When they were both inside, he started up the engine and pulled out. Sadly, there was no opportunity to speed, as the Martins’ house was only four doors down.
He pulled to a stop in front of the Martins’, but instead of getting out, he angled his thumb back toward Aunt Haddie’s. “You’re putting that kid in charge of Michelle?”
“Do you remember how good it made you feel to have responsibilities?”
“Made me feel good?” Jack chuckled.
“Every child needs structure. Replacement’s a born protector.”
“Replacement? I thought you don’t use street names.”
Aunt Haddie pinned him with her eyes again. “There are exceptions to some rules. Her real name is Alice, but right now… right now she’d prefer to be called something else.”
“But ‘Replacement’? For a second there I thought Michelle called her ‘Placemat.’”
“Don’t tease, Jackie. Besides, Chandler picked out the name for her.”
“Figures,” Jack muttered.
“Oh, don’t be silly, it’s sweet. And the important thing is, she likes it.”
“What’s wrong with her real name?”
Aunt Haddie folded her hands on her lap. “Her given name is Alice. When she first came here, every time I spoke to her, she’d start to cry. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why. Chandler solved that riddle. Alice was named after her mother, who died. Every time she heard the name Alice, it cut her to the quick.”
Jack nodded. “Okay, but why Replacement?”
“Her first night here, she ran into a closet and wouldn’t come out. I tried to talk to her and so did Michelle, but she wouldn’t budge. I couldn’t believe it when she let Chandler in. He sat down on the floor with her. He knew what she was going through because he lost his parents too, you know. He understood her, and she got him. They talked for almost an hour. Then he gave her a nickname to make her feel like she belonged.”