ROBIN DIDN’T sleep well at all, though there was no reason for why other than the funeral. Well, maybe that wasn’t totally true. He got up with Dwayne and was relieved Charlie was still in bed, though he wouldn’t be for long. Robin sat at the table with a cup of coffee, keeping Dwayne company, getting lost in his own head.
“Once Charlie goes to school, do you have time to lie down for a while? You tossed and turned all night and even talked in your sleep.”
“I did?” Robin could feel himself turn red. “Fucking Stan.” He wished he’d just kept his mouth shut.
“What did he do to you?” Dwayne asked quietly. “Is he the reason you sometimes wake up screaming?”
“I think so. It’s hard to remember the dreams afterward, but he was always so creepy, and a few times I woke up to find him in my room, just sitting there, to let me know that he could get to me any time he wanted. Seeing him again brought back all the things I hate about him. He always acts like he’s got my mother’s best interests at heart, but it’s really just his own.”
“You know he can’t get to you now. I won’t let him.” Dwayne took his hand, squeezed it, and then threaded his fingers in between his. “You can’t do anything about your mother staying with him, but I will keep him away from you and Charlie. I promise you that.”
Damned if that declaration didn’t ease his mind. “How do you do that?” Robin asked. “Make me feel better with just a few words.”
“Because I mean them, and you know it.” Dwayne stood and walked to Robin’s side of the table to put his arms around him from behind. “You have to know that you worked your way into my heart, and you know that I will protect what’s mine. I’ve had enough taken away from me that I will not let go easily.”
“Thank God,” Robin breathed and closed his eyes, leaning back against Dwayne. “Sometimes I think I’ve lost everything, and then I realize that I might have gotten everything, and then I’m afraid I’ll lose it all again.” Fuck it all, he was not going to cry.
Dwayne held him tighter. “That’s not going to happen. You have me and you have Charlie. He needs you and so do I.”
Robin buried his face against Dwayne’s arm. “What could you need me for?”
“A family,” Dwayne whispered, and Robin gasped as the reality of it washed over him. He’d lost his family, but somehow, without looking, he’d been given another one. “You and Charlie are my family—that is, if you want to be.”
“Oh God, yes.” He still couldn’t get over how unbelievably lucky he’d been. He knew he’d made some stupid decisions out of desperation and fear, and somehow they’d worked out and he had Dwayne and Charlie in his life. He turned to face Dwayne. “I can’t believe you want me.”
“I have since that night at the club. You had all that attitude, but I knew that you were just covering up.”
“And you were so nice when you could have been a dick right back to me.” Robin held Dwayne’s arm and closed his eyes once again to keep the damned tears from running down his face. Robin had been a pain in the ass, and Dwayne had helped him from the start. “But you never were.” He placed his hand over his heart. “You’re a strong man with a good, kind heart, and that’s why you’re an amazing police officer.”
“I don’t know about that. I do my job as best I can and help those who need it. Sometimes it’s hard, because you always want to be safe, and trusting people will sometimes get you in trouble.”
“I want you to be safe, always. I don’t know if my heart could take something happening to you. But you helped those families that Harvey took advantage of, just like you helped me. I’d never ask you to stop doing things like that. It’s part of who you are.”
Charlie came out of his bedroom in his blue Babar pajamas, holding his horsie under his arm. “Unca Robin, I’m hungry.” He wiped his eyes and padded over.
Robin lifted him onto his lap, and Dwayne stood where he was, still holding him.
After a few moments, Dwayne let go. “I have to get into work.” He kissed Robin, then Charlie on the head. “I’ll see both of you later.” He hugged Robin, who leaned into the heat, and then Charlie began to fidget and Robin had to take care of him.
“Have a good day.”
“You too.” Dwayne left the apartment, and Robin took Charlie in to use the bathroom. Then he made breakfast and got Charlie dressed before taking him down the stairs to wait for Donald, who dropped by to take both Alex and Charlie to school and day care. He got Charlie buckled into the booster seat in Donald’s van, thanked him for his help, and said goodbye. It was hard to watch him go, but Charlie and Alex were already talking about God knows what by the time Robin closed the van door. He watched it pull away and felt a small pang of loss. He knew it was stupid, but he understood why his mother had cried when she’d first sent him off to school. Robin had just become Charlie’s parent, and he could already see that in slow steps, he’d grow away from him.
Robin turned and went back inside to get ready for work. For the first time in a while, he found himself smiling for no particular reason other than the fact that he was happy—truly deep-down happy. He’d take that feeling for as long as it lasted. Hell, for the rest of his life would be awesome.
TWO HOURS later, Robin sat in his lifeguard chair, watching over a group of youngsters just a few years older than Charlie as they learned to swim. Terry himself worked with the kids. He was an amazing teacher and so patient with them. Robin looked forward to when he could bring Charlie in for his first swimming lessons.
“Robin,” Terry called up to him. “I need you down here.” He sent Leann out of the pool, and she traded places with Robin, who slid into the pool. “This is Mr. Robin, and he’s going to help us today.”
“Why?” one of the boys, in a royal blue suit, asked. He was probably six or so.
“Because Miss Leann is going to rest for a while.” Terry flashed him a smile. “Now, today we’re all going to put our heads under the water and blow bubbles.”
The kids all looked at each other, and a few of them whined softly.
“Are you scared?” Robin asked one of the boys, who was a little paler. He nodded, and Robin swooped him into his arms. “It’s nothing to be scared of. But I used to have a hard time doing it too.”
“You did?” the boy asked, and Robin saw the others listening.
“Yup.” He smiled. “Do you want to do this together?”
The boy nodded, still nervous, but he seemed to be willing.
“Okay. Here’s what you do. Hold your breath like this and close your eyes. We’re going to go under the water and come right back up. That’s all. I’m going to count three and then you close your eyes and hold your breath.” He nodded. “Okay. One… two….”
The boy already had his mouth clamped shut and his eyes closed.
“Three.” Robin went under the water and came right back up. “See, you did it!” He bounced and laughed as the youngster opened his eyes and brushed his wet hair off his forehead.
“I did it!” he yelled and looked up to the stands where a group of mothers had been watching. “Mama, did you see? I did it!”
“Who wants to be next?” Most of the hands went into the air, and Robin took turns helping each of them go under the water. Some were just fine and did it on their own. Terry worked with them to blow bubbles, and Robin helped the others, so that by the end of the class, most of the kids were blowing bubbles on their own and going under the water. Terry was happy, and Robin was thrilled.
At the end of the class, the mothers got their kids and Robin toweled off and prepared ready for the open swim, which started in about fifteen minutes.
Terry came over, all smiles. “You did great! I knew the kids would respond to you. Leann is good, but she’s been a little under the weather, and I thought it best to keep her away from them. But I’m going to have you take on this class with me from now on.”
“What about Leann?”
“She’s more comfortable with the older kids, so it will probably be a relief.” Terry lightly clapped him on the shoulder, and then Robin left for a brief bathroom break before the next session.
A few hours later, Robin was on his break when Dwayne called.
“How is it going?” Robin asked. He’d been trying to keep the fact that Harvey was in custody and that they were going to talk to him out of his thoughts. He kept telling himself not to get his hopes up.
“Pretty well. He lawyered up as we expected and he’s not talking, but we found plenty in his apartment and on his computer. Enough that he isn’t going anywhere. I’m not free to go into any details, and we’re still working through all of what we found.”
Robin sighed. “Okay. As long as he isn’t going anywhere.”
“There’s a bail hearing tomorrow, and we’ll have to see then. If it works for you, stop in on your way home so Aaron can go over your statement. He’d like to talk to you, since what happened to you is the basis for some of the charges.”
“You aren’t handling the case any longer?” Robin frowned.
“It’s gotten larger, so Aaron has stepped in to work with us. There are also other departments and municipalities involved since it appears he’s been running this scam as far away as Hershey. The charges are coming in from all over.”
“I’ll be there. Just be safe, and I’ll see you after work. It’s going to be after four because I have a late class I’m helping with.”
“It’s not a problem. We have to pick up Charlie by five thirty.”
Terry motioned to him, and Robin nodded. “I have to go. I’ll see you tonight.” He ended the call and finished eating his sandwich before hurrying back to work.
The afternoon classes were awesome, and he was happy when he left the Y. It was an amazing day and he carried his bag, walking toward the police station. It wasn’t far, and he had enough time. Besides, the car he’d inherited from his sister was in the garage having some work done to make it drivable and so it would pass inspection. Hopefully it would be ready tomorrow, and then he’d have transportation of his own. But for today he could walk. He liked the summer warmth, and the sun felt so good. It was like he could show his face and hold his head upward… he was worthy of it and he reveled in it.
The walk took him about ten minutes, and he was hot but still happy by the time he entered the front door and told the duty officer why he was there.
Dwayne came out, and instantly the light he’d let enter his mind and heart darkened. Something was wrong, very wrong. Robin could read it in the hurt in Dwayne’s eyes and the way his lips pressed together. The look lasted just a fraction of a second, and then his expression brightened and Robin saw the delight and care he always saw in those eyes when they turned in his direction.
“I’m glad you’re here. Aaron has everything ready for you, and this shouldn’t take long.”
“Is everything all right?” Even the upturn of Dwayne’s lips couldn’t completely drive away the fear that something bad had happened.
“It’s been a long day.” Dwayne ushered him inside, through security, and to his desk, with a hand placed gently at the small of his back. The room looked like the inside of an older office building, full of desks. The law enforcement posters were the main giveaway he was in a police station.
“Take a seat here a minute, and I’ll go check on Aaron.” Dwayne hurried away, and Robin watched around him, growing uncomfortable as the realization hit him that Dwayne had rescued him from a path that could have led to places like this, only under very different circumstances.
“Hi, Robin,” Red said as he sat at the next desk. “He’ll be right back.”
Robin nodded and sat still, ready to get this over with.
Red looked up, then over at Robin, pointing. “It looks like he’s ready for you.”
“Thanks.” Robin stood and went to where Dwayne waited for him.
“Aaron, this is Robin,” Dwayne said with a touch of pride.
“It’s good to meet you.” They shook hands. “As Dwayne might have told you, I’ve taken over this case just because of the sheer scope of the work. Dwayne and Red have done a great job with it.” Aaron smiled, motioning him to a chair, and Robin sat nervously. “I have the statement you gave about the incident where you were attacked. Are you sure of the identity of the person who hit you?”
“Yes. I was also the victim of one of his scams. That’s why I was so angry.” Robin turned his gaze to the floor. “I know now it was stupid to approach him. I should have just called Dwayne.” Movement caught his eye, and he looked up as Aaron passed a photograph across the desk. Robin nodded. It was most definitely Harvey. “He hit me and smacked me against the brick building. It scratched up my face and arm, and I had cuts for nearly a week, I guess.”
“No permanent damage?”
“Other than the fact that I keep looking around me all the time to make sure he isn’t there?” Robin looked down again, feeling foolish.
Dwayne placed a hand gently on his shoulder. He didn’t say anything, but just his presence was enough to calm the raging flock of butterflies in Robin’s stomach.
“The reason I’m making sure of the facts is partly because of your relationship with Dwayne. I want to ensure that your testimony on this charge is particularly strong. And it is. You knew the suspect before the incident, which is good, because then there isn’t a danger of misidentification.”
Robin glanced up. “I take it he’s not talking.”
“No. Our suspect has lawyered up, but that’s fine. We have multiple witnesses and charges.” Aaron was all business, and strangely that was comforting. The lack of emotion and the professionalism made the subject easier to talk about.
“What else can I tell you?” Robin asked. “I want to help stop this man from preying on innocent people.”
Aaron’s composure cracked just a little, and he made eye contact with Dwayne and then returned his attention to the papers in his hand before placing them on his desk. “How many times previously have you met this Harvey?” Aaron asked in a rather controlled manner.
Robin thought about it. “Let me see. About three times at the room I was renting in Harrisburg. I saw a flyer in a club there and called. He met me at the building, and I gave him the money for the room. I needed a place to live, and the house wasn’t too bad and all. The other people were nice enough. They were like me, with very little to get by on. Each week he collected the rent in person.”
“Was there an application that you needed to complete to get the room?”
Robin shook his head. “All I had to do was pay two weeks’ rent in cash. Everything was in cash.”
“Do you remember anything else that might help us?” Aaron asked. “Overhear anything?”
Robin once again shook his head and then stopped. “I don’t know if it’s anything, but there was one of the other tenants in that building…. I had been there about a week, I guess, and I heard them talking in the hall. He was short his rent money and was asking for a few more days. I didn’t owe rent for another week, but he obviously did. It seemed Harvey was going to throw him out. Anyway, he asked for two more days since that was when he would get paid, and Harvey said he’d have to ask his superiors… or something like that. He left and came back and took everything the guy had and said he could pay the rest in two days. I saw the renter two days later, and he paid when Harvey returned and it looked like he hadn’t eaten either. The bastard.”
Aaron took notes. “You clearly heard him say he had to ask his superiors.”
“Yes. He said he was the agent who collected rents for other people. That was it. I suppose if he’d tried to pose as the owner, no one would have believed it. He always looked so scruffy and kind of cruddy. I mean, he was sort of shifty, and maybe I should have known something wasn’t right, but he had a good story, and the house wasn’t all that great, but it was okay. Still I never thought he was a crook until I went there with Dwayne and everyone was being kicked out for being squatters.”
“Okay. So you believe that he had superiors? That he was working for other people? Did you ever happen to overhear who they were?” Aaron asked, continuing to take notes.
“No. There were lots of other people who dealt with him. They might be able to help you.” Robin checked the clock on the wall and turned to Dwayne. “I need to get going so I can get Charlie from school.” He turned back to Aaron. “Is there anything else?”
“No. You’ve been really helpful and confirmed some things we’ve suspected. We’re still looking into who his superiors might be.” Aaron stood and came around the desk. “Thank you for all your time. I appreciate you coming down.”
“Are you going to be able to charge him with attacking me?”
Aaron smiled. “Oh yes. Your charges are rock solid in my opinion.” He shook Robin’s hand. “Dwayne will show you out.”
“I have a short break, so I’m going to take Robin over to pick up Charlie and then get him home. I won’t be gone but a few minutes.” Dwayne was already leading him out of the office. Robin followed right behind, until they were out and striding across the parking lot to Dwayne’s car. “We’ll pick up Charlie, and then I’ll drop you off.” Dwayne stopped just outside the car, turning around. “Please stay in the apartment and lock the doors until I get home.”
Robin blinked up at him, confused. “Why? Harvey is in jail.”
“His bosses aren’t, and they could be around. Just please stay inside and keep everything locked up. Harvey is aware of the charges that are being brought, and the assault and battery charge is one of the most serious because it’s a violent crime. His lawyer is aware, so it’s easy to assume his superiors are as well. You may think I’m overreacting, but trust me and stay inside.” Dwayne cupped his cheeks. “I want you to be safe.”
“Okay. I promise.”
Dwayne pulled him into a quick hug, and then Robin turned to open the door. “Thank you. I’d much rather be safe than sorry.” Dwayne hurried around, got in the car, and pulled out as soon as their seat belts were fastened. He drove to the school, then parked so Robin could hop out.
Robin approached the front doors and went inside. Charlie must have been watching for him, because he raced down the hall and jumped into his arms.
“Look what I drawed.” Charlie pressed a piece of paper into his hands. “It’s Mommy.”
Robin’s throat tightened as he looked at the drawing. “That’s so good.” Several figures, little more than blotches, covered the page. “What are these?”
Charlie looked at him as though he were crazy. “Those are the angels.”
And just like that, Robin was on the verge of tears.
Heavier footsteps sounded from behind and Robin turned as Charlie’s caregiver, Mrs. Truckenmiller, a pretty middle-aged lady in a light summer dress, approached them.
“Uncle Dwayne is out in the car. I’m sure he’d like to see your picture too.” He opened the door, and Charlie raced out, with his paper flapping behind him. Dwayne had the door opened and stood waiting. He caught Charlie as he leaped into his arms.
“I hope it’s okay. Charlie was asking if his mommy was alone since she died. I told him she was with the angels. At art time he drew that picture.”
“It’s perfectly fine.” Robin wiped his eyes. “Actually I think you made him happy and that’s what counts.”
“Kids don’t often like to be alone, so I thought that if he knew his mother wasn’t alone….”
Robin smiled at her. He’d liked her immediately when he’d come down to sign Charlie up for the program. “You did wonderfully. He’s excited that his mother is with the angels. I suppose if he thinks she’s happy, then he can be too.” Children, it seemed, could bounce back from almost anything given some time and care.
“I’m glad.” She smiled, and Robin thanked her again. She turned and went back down the hall while Robin hurried out to where Dwayne was already putting Charlie in his seat.
Robin got into the car and listened as Charlie talked about all the things he’d done, his words tumbling out until he paused for breath and then continued on, full tilt.
“I’m glad you like school. Do you have friends?” Dwayne asked, and Charlie put a finger to his lips as he thought.
“Yes!” he answered with a grin.
“What are their names?”
“Ummm….” The finger went to his lips again, and this time he didn’t answer, just shrugged. He continued with his narrative about trains and cars and that he got the “fastestest” one. By the time they reached the apartment, Charlie seemed talked out for a few minutes.
Dwayne pulled into a parking space in front, and Robin got Charlie out and grabbed both their bags.
“Before I forget, I got you a phone today.” Dwayne handed him a new iPhone, still in the box. “The number is inside, and I programmed in my numbers as well. If you see or hear anything, call me right away.”
“Dwayne, you—”
Dwayne reached across the seat and took his hand before Robin could continue his protest. “I want you to be safe, and you need a phone for both you and Charlie. I’ll call you later.” Dwayne smiled and released his hand.
Robin closed the car door and went inside. Once he was upstairs, Charlie raced to the front windows. Robin joined him in time to see Dwayne pull away. He turned to Charlie. “Let’s have a snack. What do you want?”
Charlie’s finger went to his lips once again. It was cute the way he did that when he was thinking about something. “’Gurt,” he said.
“Okay. I bought the kind that doesn’t have any bananas in it.” Lord, that was a hard proposition. It seemed most of the yogurt flavored for kids had bananas in it somewhere. He had to get special kinds and read every label carefully. “Here you are. You can choose.”
Charlie looked at each package before picking one. Robin got a bowl and put some in it for him and set him at the table. He was going to make a mess, but that was a part of being four years old that Robin needed to get used to. Charlie ate his yogurt with surprising neatness and then offered him a bite.
Robin took it and smiled. “You eat it,” he coaxed, and Charlie dug in like he was starving.
The bell rang, and Robin jumped at the sharpness. He settled his nerves, opening the gate at the top of the stairs and then heading down to see who it was, his phone at the ready.
“Mother.” Robin unlocked the door and let her in, then closed and locked it behind her. “I wasn’t expecting you.” How did she know where he lived? The thought passed quickly through his mind, but his attention quickly turned to the fact that Charlie was upstairs alone.
“After yesterday, I wanted to stop by and see you and Charlie.” She smiled, and Robin looked out through the window in the door before following his mother up the stairs. Charlie had taken advantage of the fact he wasn’t being watched and decided to finger paint on the top of the table with berry-colored yogurt.
“I take it you’re done eating.” Robin grabbed a towel and wiped up Charlie’s hands before letting him get down and go to his grandmother. Then he set about cleaning up the mess, figuring it could have been worse.
“How have you been?” his mother asked Charlie and sat on the sofa.
Charlie pulled out a bag of blocks and began playing on the floor.
“Now that he has something he likes, he’s enraptured,” Robin said as he finished up and joined her. “He’ll play with those blocks for hours and forget anyone else is in the room.”
“He’s just like you in that way. Whatever you were doing, you always did completely and forgot about everything else around you.” She smiled. “I have a meeting with a couple of friends at the Asian restaurant, and I was wondering if I could take Charlie. It’s just a block or so away, and they’d love to meet him.” She watched as Charlie played. “They all have grandchildren and show them off all the time, so I was hoping I could….” She turned away and wiped her eyes with a tissue she pulled from her bag.
Robin knew that wasn’t a good idea for Charlie or his mother. “He just ate, Mom. Charlie isn’t going to sit still in a restaurant or anywhere else. In ten minutes he’s going to be running around this room with so much energy, he won’t be able to sit still if he tried. Go on to your dinner and you can stop by afterward. Dwayne will be home by then.”
“I was really hoping to introduce him to Gladys and Carol. I’ve known I’ve had a grandchild for four years and just met him less than a week ago. I really want a chance to be part of his life.”
“Then spend time with him here and get to know him. But taking him to a dinner with your friends isn’t the way to do that.” Robin stood and put on the TV. Charlie watched Daniel Tiger and played happily with his blocks.
Robin had given his answer, and that was all there was to it. His mother seemed to sense she wasn’t going to get what she wanted and backed off.
They sat quietly for a while, watching Charlie play. The video segment ended, and Charlie jumped to his feet and raced to the front window to lean against the sill, looking out. “Big truck,” he said, pointing. “More big trucks!” He jumped up and down as he watched.
“He has a thing for cars, trucks, and buses.” Robin went over to the window to see what Charlie was watching. He had a clear view of the sidewalk and tensed as he saw Stan approaching the front door. He pulled out the phone Dwayne had given him and sent him a text to say that Stan was here. He continued watching, then turned back to his mother, who approached the window. “What’s Stan doing here? Is he following you now? I already messaged Dwayne.” His phone vibrated in his pocket and he pulled it out. The message said Dwayne was on his way.
“I’ll take care of this.” His mother turned and headed down the stairs.
Robin gathered Charlie into his arms to get him away from the window. He hated the thought of Stan outside their home, and he didn’t want him to even see Charlie.
“They’re upstairs, and we’ll have to hurry and get the hell out of town,” his mother said, and Robin heard heavy treads on the stairs.
What the hell was going on? His mother had let Stan into his apartment and they were getting out of town. They were leaving…. There is no meeting. His mother had been trying to take Charlie. His thoughts raced a mile a second, and he sprang into action. There was no way in hell anyone was taking Charlie away from him. Certainly not Stan.
“Holy shit,” he murmured to himself as the ramifications of what he’d just heard slammed into him. Robin raced for Charlie’s bedroom in the back, shut the door, and locked it. He set Charlie on the bed. “Stay right there.” He pushed the dresser across the door, returned to the bed, and listened.
“Robin. Everything is fine,” his mother said gently, but Robin knew it was fake. She’d used him. His mother didn’t give a shit about him. She and Stan wanted Charlie. He had no idea what the fuck was truly going on.
Everything grew quiet, and Robin listened for any sign of what was to come. He might have heard murmurs outside the door, but he wasn’t sure, and at the moment, he was more concerned about keeping Charlie calm while he waited for Dwayne. That was all he cared about: buying the time until Dwayne got there.
“Why are you doing this?” Robin cried through the door.
“You should ask your friend what’s going on,” Stan answered.
“Robin, sweetheart, I’ll take good care of Charlie. I promise you that. I’m your mother. I know how to raise children. Just bring him out and everything will be all right.”
“You’re delusional! I’m not letting you take him, and he certainly isn’t going to be raised anywhere around Stan… or you for that matter.” His mother had been on Stan’s side the whole time. He’d thought his mother might have been gearing up to get away from him. How could he have been so stupid?
“We need to get out of here,” Stan said.
“If we’re leaving, I’m taking my grandson,” his mother retorted. They must have been right outside the door. “There’s plenty of money. Now get him so we can go.” The authority in her voice was frightening. He’d never heard his mother use that tone of voice before… ever.
“Both of you, get the hell out of my home and leave us alone,” Robin yelled. “You aren’t taking Charlie, so get the hell away from us. I don’t know what you’ve been up to, but just go. I’ve already messaged Dwayne, and he’s on his way.” He hoped that was enough to scare them and get them to leave, but it seemed to have the opposite effect and made them more determined. He held tight as Charlie shook in his arms.
“I told you we should have just left with the damned money,” Stan growled before something slammed into the door with a bang that echoed through the tiny room. Robin closed his eyes and prayed for Dwayne to get here soon. The door held, but the jamb cracked and it wasn’t going to last. Robin put his arms around Charlie’s head and face to shield him from whatever was going to happen.
The door gave way and the dresser slid along the floor, then toppled with a bang that made both of them jump and Charlie start to cry. He turned Charlie away from the door, shielding him with his body. He wouldn’t let Stan hurt him.
Stan bumbled into the room, nearly tripping over the toppled dresser before lumbering toward them. “Just give me the kid so we can get the hell out of here.”
Robin had been scared of Stan for years and had done his best to stay out of the monster’s way. But this was different. Charlie wasn’t going to be at the mercy of that asshole, and it was up to Robin to make sure of it.