UNKNOWN ALLIANCE Read online

  Mac checked his watch. “I have to get outside. Can we talk about this another time?”

  “Yes, yes. Go.”

  Mac met up with Roni near the front entrance, grateful to end the conversation with Marlene.

  “Hey there. Have you seen any black cats today?” She asked.

  “Huh?”

  “It’s Friday the 13th.” She giggled.

  “Oh. No, no cats of any color on campus today.”

  “Are you doing anything fun this weekend?”

  “As a matter of fact, I’m spending all day tomorrow with my sister and nieces. The oldest niece turns ten. How about you?”

  “I have a lot of homework. Did you hear about the new girl? She’s supposed to start school Tuesday.”

  They turned their heads when the door opened. Officer Tanner walked through the main exit and to them. She smiled at Mac and appeared to not see Roni at all.

  “Thanks for your help,” she said to Mac. “Call me anytime.”

  Roni looked at Mac and wiggled her eyebrows at him.

  Scott, Brandi’s father, crossed the street. He had a purpose in his step. Mac thought he knew what was on Scott’s mind.

  A few parents had arrived to collect their children. Moms and dads routinely congregated in the visitor parking lot or on the sidewalk to talk about gymnastics class, football, or other activities their kids participated in at the time.

  Scott glanced at Roni standing her ground next to Mac.

  He skipped the formalities when he neared Mac and cut straight to his concern. “Saturday will be a week. Have you found out anything? Memories fade as time passes.”

  Mac understood Scott’s somewhat cryptic comments were because of Roni’s presence.

  “Kids are tight-lipped. I’ve brought Roni in on the investiga—.”

  “You what!” I asked you to keep the information confidential.” His voice was loud enough to scare away the birds scratching for food under a bush.

  “Calm down, Scott, and quiet your voice or you’ll be announcing the situation to everyone.”

  Roni remained stoic.

  “I asked Roni to help me because she’s closer to the kids’ age and is more popular than I am by far. And she’s focused on talking to the girls.” He waited to see whether Scott would accept Roni’s assistance.

  When Scott appeared to want more detail, Mac added, “We’re building a list of kids who attended the party and who interacted with your daughter.”

  Roni used the lengthy pause to express her sadness for his daughter’s assault. “And I’m turning over every stone or not leaving any stone unturned... however the saying goes.”

  Scott physically relaxed. His shoulders lowered, and he let out a deep sigh.

  “More than anything, I wish we were able to give you a name today. But I sure as hell—” Roni jabbed Mac in his side. “I don’t want to give you the wrong name.”

  “Yes. Yes, I appreciate your thoroughness. Thank you, Roni, for helping.” He looked at Mac. “Please keep a lid on this and let me decide who else is told.”

  Mac and Roni both nodded.

  Scott went on, “Do you have many names on the list?”

  Parents began to gather around them. Scott’s eyes darted left and right. His concern someone might overhear was written on his face.

  Mac leaned into Scott. “When considering your daughter’s recollection of how many attended the party and Stu’s bragging about the number there, our best guesstimate is fifty. We have thirty-five names so far. That’s adults and children.”

  As the dismissal bell rang, Scott nodded his approval, making eye contact with Mac then Roni.

  The large entrance door opened and little kids spilled out all dressed in blue and white uniforms with winter coats.

  Roni, Mac, and Scott stepped back to allow the children an unobstructed path to their parents.

  Anna Beth Ross sat in her car in the staff parking lot across the street. She watched them without expression.

  Mac and Roni both greeted parents and said hello to their little ones not yet old enough for school.

  Public relations.

  Brandi walked outside a few steps behind Stu and Kevin. They blew past Mac as though he were invisible. Brandi veered off to walk with her father.

  Students left school much faster than they arrived, especially on a Friday. None of the usual lollygagging.

  “Mr. Welch seemed okay with me assisting you.”

  “I think so too.”

  “If I see anyone over the weekend that went to the party, I’ll work some questions into the conversation.”

  “Perfect. We need to—”

  Hank Jansen, one of the school’s custodians, approached Mac from behind.

  With a booming voice, he said, “Why’d you tell Dr. Zita I wasn’t cleaning the staff bathrooms? He just chewed my ass out. I clean everything on a schedule like I’m supposed to.” Hands on hips, his face was red, and his chest pumped up. Cocky, the guy acted like a tough dude.

  Mac’s ignored the phone vibrating in his pocket. He spun around. “Keep your voice down.”

  Roni leaned into Hank. “And stop cussing in front of students.”

  “I didn’t say you weren’t cleaning the bathrooms, Hank. I received a note in a Bat Box that complained about there not being enough toilet paper in the staff bathrooms. I passed the complaint on to Dr. Zita.”

  “Next time.” He repeatedly poked a finger into Mac’s chest. “Come to me. Don’t go tattle telling to—”

  Shock registered on his face when Mac grabbed his finger and flung it away. “Don’t ever do that again.”

  The custodian stormed off. But then turned back to glare at Mac and get the last word in. “You got a problem with me, come to me.”

  Mac looked around. The few parents and students lingering stared at the encounter they’d witnessed. Their eyes darted away to look somewhere else.

  Mac and Roni went inside. Roni went to Marlene’s office—Mac to his.

  He checked his phone. He’d received a text from Maggie: Hi there. Do you remember tomorrow’s Lindy’s birthday?

  Mac: Come on. I’m not that big of a lamebrain.

  Maggie: Hee, hee. Sometimes you are.

  Mac: Whatever. I’ll see you tomorrow.

  Maggie: (laughing face and a heart Emoji)

  Chapter 16

  Todd Palmer strutted out of the school’s main door like he was the cock of the walk. He saw the school marshal and the custodian exchange heated words. He didn’t care, it was Friday, and he had big plans after school.

  “Wait up, Todd,” Alonzo Ramirez hollered. He caught up with him as Todd walked with a brisk pace along the sidewalk headed for home.

  “I thought you were meeting me at my house later,” Todd said without stopping.

  “I called my mom and told her I was going straight to your place. She’ll pick me up there after she gets off work at five o’clock.” Alonzo’s short legs took two strides for every one of Todd’s.

  “Come on, we have to hustle. Lara said she’d be at my house in twenty minutes.” Todd picked up the pace.

  “She actually agreed to this?” Alonzo trotted to keep up with Todd.

  Todd with a giant grin on his face turned to Alonzo. “She did.”

  “I can’t believe it. This is a dream. Pinch me.” Alonzo initiated a high five.

  “Lara doesn’t give a shit, she’ll screw anyone. Hurry up.”

  “Do you believe all the rumors about her?”

  “She told me the rumors were true,” Todd smirked.

  The boys made it to Todd’s house in five minutes. They ran straight to Todd’s bedroom on the second floor of his parent’s custom home.

  They tossed their backpacks on the bed, and Todd started tidying up his bedroom.

  “The equipment’s in the closet,” Todd told his friend. “And throw your backpack in there too.”

  Alonzo’s foot tangled with a dirty garment catapulting him into the closet. He recov
ered and got busy setting up the tripod and checking the camera’s battery life while Todd continued to hide his dirty clothes.

  “Do you have a condom?” Alonzo asked.

  “Of course I do. Do you think I’m an idiot?”

  Both boys froze when the doorbell chimed.

  Todd faced Alonzo. “Are you ready?”

  “Ready.” He slid the closet door shut, leaving a small crack for an unobstructed view for the camera.

  Todd leaned into the closet door crack. “Don’t make a peep.” He slid down the hallway on the glossy wood flooring until he reached the landing to the stairs. Taking them two at a time, he made it to the front door fast.

  He opened the door to find Lara Simpkin popping her bubble gum.

  She sauntered inside. “Is anyone here besides you?”

  “No.”

  “Okay. Let’s do this.” She moved away from the door. “I can’t believe you’re still a virgin.”

  Todd felt tingly all over. “Do you want a soda pop or anything?”

  Lara laughed. “This isn’t a date, stupid. Don’t get any ideas this is more than me poppin’ your cherry. Where to?”

  “My bedroom.”

  “Let’s go. I’ve got things to do.” She stated as though she were going to help him with his homework.

  He motioned for her to go upstairs.

  Lara closed the door behind her and locked it. She pushed stuff aside on Todd’s dresser and wiped a spot clean with the underside of her shirt. And then smooshed her bubble gum onto the corner. She removed her clothes and stood in front of Todd.

  Todd gulped. His clothes didn’t come off as quickly as hers. He felt a twinge of embarrassment when she saw his excitement.

  The entire encounter lasted maybe ten minutes and then Lara was dressed and ready to leave. She plucked her bubble gum from the dresser corner and tossed it back in her mouth.

  “You did well.” She patted his back. “I don’t believe you’ve never had sex before. Guys aren’t that aggressive the first time. But, hey—I had fun.” She smacked Todd’s bare bottom. “I’ll take that soda pop now.”

  Todd quickly dressed and escorted Lara to the kitchen for a soda pop. When they arrived at the front door, he felt like he should kiss her or something but while he considered the appropriate action, she strolled outside.

  Lara waved and said over her shoulder as she descended the front steps, “See you around.” She blew a massive bubble, smacked it back into her mouth and took a big guzzle from the soda pop can.

  Todd shut the door and leaned against it for a second or two to revel in his euphoria. Next time, act more like it’s your first—you idiot.

  He pushed off from the front door and ran upstairs to his bedroom.

  Alonzo, no longer in the closet, sat on the bed with a huge smile.

  “What the fuck just happened?” Alonzo laughed at his words.

  The two boys discussed the interlude as if they’d just watched a football game. Alonzo seemed focused on Lara’s breasts and couldn’t talk about anything else. Todd let his friend do the reminiscing.

  “Next time, it’s my turn.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Let’s see how the video looks.” Todd was eager, yet anxious.

  “Hell yeah,” Alonzo pulled the video card from of the camera to insert into Todd’s laptop.

  They waited for the program to open so they could watch a replay of the interlude.

  Both Todd and Alonzo laughed and slapped a high five as the event ended abruptly.

  The boys laughed heartily until Todd’s mother knocked twice on the door.

  They jumped. Todd slammed the laptop shut just as his mother walked into his bedroom.

  “Hi, Alonzo, I didn’t realize you were here. Would you like to stay for dinner?” She smiled.

  “No, thank you, Mrs. Palmer, I can’t tonight.”

  “Okay. Did you have a good day, dear?” Todd’s mother asked him.

  He couldn’t control his enormous grin. “I had a great day.”

  His mother smiled in return and gave him a thumb’s up as she backed out of his bedroom and closed the door.

  Todd and Alonzo looked at each other and burst into laughter.

  “Make me a copy of the video,” Alonzo requested. “I need to get out front. My mom will be here any minute.”

  “Sure thing. I’ll bring it to you sometime this weekend.”

  Chapter 17

  Roxy wagged her tail with enthusiasm when Mac parked his truck in front of the garage at Maggie’s on Saturday.

  With ten colorful balloons in hand, Mac and Roxy maneuvered their way to Maggie’s front porch. A strong gust of wind tried to rip the balloons from his hand.

  “Damn, it’s windy.” Mac stood in the doorway.

  “Ommm, you said a bad word.” Bella giggled and pointed at her uncle.

  He stuck his tongue out at his youngest niece.

  “Hi there,” Mac said to his sister in the kitchen. “How’re you?”

  “I’m great.” She flashed him a smile Mac hadn’t seen for a long time.

  “What’s up?”

  “Nothing.” Guilt was written on her face. “What do you mean?”

  “You aren’t a good liar. Something’s going on.”

  “Fine.” She glanced over her shoulder. “There might be a doctor at the hospital who’s asked me out a few times. I’ve told him I’m not ready. But I think I might be after all.”

  “What’s stopping you?”

  “The girls.”

  Before he could offer a suggestion, Lindy entered the kitchen. “It’s almost time to leave for the bowling alley. Are you ready?”

  Lindy, the quiet one, was always on time. Typically, she’s mellow but could be assertive when something was important to her.

  They loaded Maggie’s minivan with the cake, balloons, and party gifts for the girls. Roxy had to stay at the house. Their destination was about a fifteen-minute drive to a nearby city.

  Within minutes upon their arrival, Mac figured he’d have some hearing loss by the end of the day.

  All the girls were having fun, except Mac noticed Lindy’s friends had formed cliques and nobody bowled with Bella. She looked sad sitting by herself on a bench. Maggie socialized with some of the parents who had brought their daughters to bowl with Lindy.

  Mac tapped Bella’s shoulder. “I don’t have anyone to bowl with me. How about you and I bowl a game?”

  Her little eyes lit up, and a big smile returned to her face. “Okay, but I need bumper rails.”

  “Bumper rails it is. Let’s find you a ball.”

  Everyone seemed to be having a good time. The girls were ready for the pizza and cake.

  Mac wanted the noise assault to stop. He thought to himself. The things we do for family.

  After all the friends left the bowling alley and Maggie settled up with the cashier, they were finally on their way back to her quiet home.

  Mac turned around in his seat. “Did you have a good time, Lindy?”

  She smiled and nodded.

  “How about you, Bella?”

  She laughed. “I especially liked beating you....”

  “Hey! You pinky swore not to tell.” Uncle Mac tried to act serious.

  She laughed some more.

  Maggie looked sideways at Mac. “Bella beat you?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” He pretended to pout.

  Bella laughed at him again. Lindy giggled too.

  “After the dust settles, can we go into the attic and poke around? You sparked my interest the other day after you mentioned Bobby’s stuff.”

  “Sure.”

  Mac enjoyed the sights of Brookfield as they drove through town. He often thought about his life in the air force and his duty time in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan as another life. Like a movie playing in his head.

  Upon their return to Maggie’s, the van’s door quickly slid open, Bella and Lindy jumped out. They opened the door from the garage that led to the kitchen. Ro
xy almost knocked them down.

  The girls dropped the stuff in their arms and chased Roxy to the front yard where she ran in circles around the grass. The girls joined the fun.

  Maggie bobbed her head in the direction of the girls and said. “That’s great. They can burn off some of the sugar they consumed.” She stacked gifts and party stuff onto her brother’s outstretched arms before grabbing a load herself.

  They walked straight through the kitchen to the dining room and dropped the party stuff on the table.

  “You didn’t set the alarm?” Mac looked at his sister.

  “I know. I should have. If you’d stay out of trouble, I wouldn’t need to set the alarm.”

  “You should set it regardless of what’s going on with me.”

  A little while later, Mac approached Maggie. “Is it too soon to go into the attic?”

  “Not at all. I’ll have the girls come inside.”

  “They’ll be safe outside with Roxy.” He didn’t want to ruin the girl’s playtime.

  “It’s cold and windy. Bella will get an earache if she stays outside too long.”

  The girls came inside. They chose a movie and got comfortable in the living room.

  As Mac pulled the ladder down from the ceiling in the hallway, Maggie said, “How’s school?”

  “Different. In my mind, Kevin Jackson’s behind everything that’s going wrong. When I see him and Stu Collins—the attorney’s son—talking, I assume right away they’re plotting something terrible.”

  Mac climbed up the ladder first to open the hatch and check for critters.

  When Maggie reached the top rung, Mac helped her up the rest of the way.

  “I have a situation I’d like to tell you about.”

  “Uh-oh, what happened?”

  Mac and Maggie stood together and looked around the sizable attic filled with boxes. He told her about Brandi and her father’s request for help.

  “I’ll plug in the space heater I brought up here the last time I went through stuff.”

  “It doesn’t look like you got very far.”

  “Hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day. At least I started,” she shot back at him.

  “Good point.”

  He asked if they could do a rape swab for DNA this long after the assault.