“Sure. After me.” Chandler looked Jack over. “You need it. You look like hell.”
“You’re not winning any beauty contests right now either, Mr. Greasy.”
The back door opened and Aunt Haddie came out onto the porch. She took one look at the state of Chandler and Jack and put her hands on her hips.
“They’re work clothes!” Chandler called up to her.
Aunt Haddie’s shoulders bounced up and down, then she burst out laughing. Her laugh was deep, big, and bright.
Chandler’s hands went out to his sides. “I helped a widower out by lugging a refrigerator up and down—”
“Jewels in your crown in Heaven.” Aunt Haddie waved them over. “For now, you boys will have to settle for meatloaf and mashed potatoes.”
Chandler’s face lit up.
“I’ll fix you both a big plate, but you’ll need to wash-up first.”
As they headed up the steps, Jack asked Chandler, “Can I get on your computer?”
“You gave it to me. It’s your old computer.”
“I just need to look something up on Facebook. I thought of something at Kelly’s and want to check it out. Also, can you ask Makayla to call Nina and see if she’s heard from Two Point?”
“Sure. What’s all this about, Jack?”
“J-Dog wasn’t lying,” Jack said. “He didn’t steal Stacy Shaw’s wallet. But I think I know who did.”
9
The Hunt for Two
Jack scrubbed the dirt out of his hair and tried to crack his shoulder. His lip stung, but the burning from the scrape up his side hurt worse.
He leaned his head down and let the water wash over him. It felt like only a second later when he heard familiar thumping: Aunt Haddie banging out her warning to take a quick shower. He clicked the water off. Aunt Haddie didn’t have much money, and it was expensive to heat that old hot water tank.
“When I get my own place, I’m taking showers until the water runs cold,” Jack muttered as he watched the water spiral down the drain.
Jack toweled off and changed into clean pants, then stepped out into the hallway while he was still pulling on his t-shirt.
Michelle was coming out of her room and rolled her eyes. “Normal people get dressed in the bathroom.”
“Be quiet, Half-Pint.”
Michelle giggled. “Are you sleeping over?”
“I think so. Where’s Chandler?”
“In the kitchen.”
Jack headed downstairs. Chandler sat at the kitchen table.
“Let’s go.” Jack didn’t break stride as he headed out the door.
“Hold on a minute, Sherlock.” Chandler thundered down the back steps after Jack. “Who do you think stole Stacy Shaw’s wallet if it wasn’t J-Dog?”
“I don’t think it.” Jack grinned. “I know it. More importantly, I can prove it. We just have to find Two Point.”
“So where are we heading?” Chandler asked.
“Did Makayla call Nina?”
“Yeah, but Nina’s not answering.”
“Okay. Well, let’s head over there anyways.” Jack opened the trunk of the Impala and tossed in his gym bag. Before closing the trunk, he took out a Boston Red Sox baseball cap and pulled it on.
“I’m surprised you’re willing to cover up your precious hair with a hat,” Chandler said with a chuckle.
“Yeah, right. You’re the one who’s always messing with his hair, primping and preening.”
“You know it. You would too if you looked this good.” Chandler threw his big arms out and posed.
Jack laughed.
“You know you’re going to cry when the Army shaves your curly locks, Rapunzel,” Chandler said.
“I don’t mind short hair.”
“We’re not talking short—we’re talking none.”
Jack shrugged. “It’ll grow back.”
Chandler stood by the Impala’s passenger door, but Jack walked right past it. “We’re not driving?” Chandler asked.
“Nah, let’s walk. It’s not far. And you need the exercise.”
“Don’t start with that again.”
The screen door banged open and Replacement appeared in the doorway. She waved to Chandler. He waved back. She gave him a thumbs-up, and Chandler nodded. Then she vanished back inside.
“What was that all about?” Jack asked as they started walking.
“She’s just letting me know that everything’s cool.”
“What’s she, your watchdog?”
“Be nice. Some people had it different than you coming here,” Chandler said. “You had it bad before, so coming here was a good thing for you. Michelle and I had it real good until my folks died. So did Replacement. Her whole family died in a car accident. She lost everything. Then she went into the system.”