WE PULLED UP outside the safe house as Pike and Amber climbed out of his Jeep. Devon had already arrived.
The safe house was a furnished two-bedroom rental north of the river in Studio City. The owner lived out of state. A long-term tenant had recently moved, so repairs and improvements were being made so the owner could raise the rent. Devon ran out to meet us. Tyson watched her coming, and looked like he wanted to hide.
I said, “We’ll drop off Amber and split. We won’t stay long.”
“My mom’s here.”
“Your mom’s mad. She has a right to be, so man up. Get out.”
Devon threw her arms around him like a linebacker trapping a running back, and sobbed as if he’d risen from the grave.
Pike unlocked the house, but Amber lingered behind. She watched Devon maul Tyson with hugs, and seemed annoyed. She suddenly glanced at the bungalow, and spoke in her loud voice.
“I expected bars on the windows, or really big walls. This is just a little house. It doesn’t look so safe.”
Tyson squirmed and tried to pull away.
“Mom, would you stop? Please.”
Devon grabbed his shoulders, and gave him a shake.
“No please. There is no please. How could you do this? What were you thinking?”
“I’m stupid.”
“You’re not stupid. Don’t you dare say you’re stupid.”
I interrupted. Gently.
“Devon, why don’t you check the house? Tyson and I will unload the car.”
Devon started to say something, but stopped when she realized she was making a scene. She gave me her keys, and stalked up the drive. I steered Tyson to the Audi.
“In case you missed it, I just cut you a major break. You’re welcome.”
He met my eyes for the first time, but only for a second.
“Thank you.”
He watched his mother walking away.
“She won’t like Amber.”
“No. You can bet on it.”
I loaded him down with his mother’s bags, and the extra-large plastic trash bag she’d filled with towels, sheets, and toilet paper. It was bulky and awkward to carry, but wasn’t too heavy. I took four grocery bags packed with soap, soda, paper plates, and plastic utensils, and the food she scrounged from my pantry. We carried the bags inside, and left them in the kitchen.
The bungalow was small, and the furnishings were bare, worn, and crummy. A small dinette and three spindly chairs. A threadbare sofa and a cheap metal coffee table. Two bedrooms, a bath, and a living room with a dining area off the kitchen. The house had been painted the week before, and smelled like paint thinner.
Devon stood in the dining room as far from Amber as possible. Glaring. Amber circled the tiny living room as if Devon wasn’t glaring, taking in the cheesy room with obvious pleasure. Tyson hid behind me, trying to be invisible.
Amber beamed at him.
“This sucks so bad it’s kinda cool, isn’t it?”
Tyson shuffled uncomfortably, avoiding his mother’s eyes.
Amber ran her hands over the walls as if they were the most amazing walls she’d seen.
“It’s like we’re trapped in one of those creepy houses where people get chopped to death.”
Devon snagged my arm, and pulled me aside.
“Does this little bitch have to stay here?”
I pulled her farther away, and lowered my voice. Tyson snuck glances our way, too scared to move.
I said, “Her mother’s away. I left a message. When she calls, Amber can stay with her.”
“There has to be someone. What about her sister?”
“She’s out of town. I told you.”
“How nice for them. Maybe they’re getting away from her.”
Pike returned from his tour of the house, and went to the door.
“Toilet works. Locks work. Windows secure. We’re good.”
I pulled Devon farther away, and lowered my voice even more.
“I know this is awkward, but we have to get the laptops. I need you to handle this.”
Amber suddenly spoke up behind us.
“My mother won’t call.”
Amber was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. She looked somber, and maybe tired.
“My mother never calls, so don’t get your hopes up. She doesn’t care.”
I glanced at Devon, and felt bad.
“She’ll call. If she doesn’t, I’ll keep calling until I reach her.”
Amber shrugged, like I would only be wasting my time.
“You’ll see.”
Devon’s lips were pursed, and her expression was irritated. I arched my eyebrows. Well?
She closed her eyes.
“How long will you be?”
“A couple of hours. I’ll stay in touch.”
Devon managed a nod. She squared herself, and turned toward Amber.
“I’m Devon. Tyson’s mother.”
“I know. I’m Amber.”
Pike left without a word. I grabbed Tyson’s arm, and followed him.
Outside, I clapped Tyson on the back.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“It was weird.”
I looked at Pike.
“I thought it went pretty well.”
Pike said, “It was weird.”
We climbed into his Jeep and went to get the laptops.