Fire and Rain (3 page)

“Do you think the bruiser got to him?”

Kip wasn’t going to shiver in front of his colleague. “I don’t know. I hope to hell not. Jos’s sole concentration seems to be on watching out for Isaac, and I think if he thought it would keep Isaac safe, he would do just about anything.”

“Well, go find out. Because if we want to keep this piece of work off the streets, we have to have something we can charge him with other than trespassing. We’ll take him in and get him settled in a nice dry cell. Maybe with him gone, you’ll get something out of him.” Red motioned with his head to Jos, who stood with Isaac in his arms, singing the same lullaby he had before.

Kip slowly walked over to where the two of them stood. “Jos, what happened?”

He didn’t answer, standing taller and staring Kip down. Of course it didn’t work, and Kip simply stared back and repeated the question, adding a fierceness to his tone until Jos began to shift from foot to foot.

“Are you going to follow us around all night?”

“If I have to. Now tell me what happened.”

“I am not his boy,” Jos said defiantly.

Kip waited for him to continue, but he didn’t. “What’s his name?”

“Tyler Adamson, but I don’t know if the name’s real or not. He laid claim to me about a week ago, and I’ve tried to keep Isaac and me away from him. I did good too, until he found me a while ago.”

“Did he hurt you?” Kip asked.

“You mean did he manage to fuck me? No. You were in time to stop that.”

Kip suppressed a sigh. “Did he hit you or grab you?”

“He pushed me against the house. That hurt. He threatened to hurt Isaac if I didn’t do what he wanted. Said he’d cut his… you know off. The guy’s a pervert—likes guys and girls, or so I hear, but wants it rough and likes them unwilling, if you know what I mean. Word on the street is that the more they fight, the more he likes it.”

“Okay. I need you to come to the station with me so you can tell me what happened. That way I can keep him in jail.”

“What about your friend? Is that offer of food still good? Isaac’s really hungry, and….”

Kip would make sure they ate. That wasn’t optional now, as far as he was concerned. “Here’s the deal. I’ll make sure you both eat all you want. You need to tell me what happened so I can get your statement.”

“Then we can go?”

“Then you need to show up at the police station tomorrow morning so you can identify this Tyler Adamson and formally press charges. I have enough for assault, attempted rape, and I’ll see if I can add some more once I have your statement.” Kip stepped closer to Jos. “You have to trust me. I’m not going to hurt either of you, and if you let me, I’ll try to help.”

“Why?” Jos shot back. “Nobody does something for nothing. Never has, never will.”

“Maybe I’m doing it because I don’t want Isaac sleeping on the street. Isaac’s relying on you to take care of him. Are you going to give up a chance for him to be warm and comfortable?”

“Okay, fine. I’ll go with you.”

Kip nodded and checked the time. His shift was just ending. “Then let’s get you in the car. I need to take you to the station so I can punch out and then get my car. I’ll call my friend so he can help you. Donald is a good man, and he said he can give you some things for Isaac—clean clothes, things like that.”

“You’re really going to help me?” Jos asked.

“Yes.”

“And you don’t want nothing?”

“No. I don’t want anything from you other than your honesty. Now let’s get in the car so we can get you two fed and then find you a place to sleep, okay?” Kip motioned to the cruiser, and Jos helped Isaac and then got into the backseat without another word.

Kip drove to the station and transferred Jos and Isaac to his car. Then he went inside, clocked out, and left for the night, calling Donald as he went. “Is that offer of dinner still on?”

“What happened?” Donald asked. “And yes. If they need it, you know I’m there. I’ll see what I have. Bring them over. Carter is home, so he can help too.”

“Thanks,” Kip said as he got to his car. Isaac fussed as they rode, and Jos did his best to soothe him, but he couldn’t be soothed. Kip figured he was hungry. When he parked in front of Carter and Donald’s house, Donald met them and ushered the three of them inside.

“I have food heated up, so come to the table.”

“This is Jos, and the little one is Isaac,” Kip said. “He’s Donald and this is Carter,” Kip added as Carter came down the stairs. Isaac stayed plastered to Jos’s legs, staring up at the newcomers. “Alex is in bed, I’m sure.” Donald and Carter’s energetic little boy was a little older than Isaac.

“Yes, and he’ll be disappointed that he missed someone he could have played with,” Carter said.

“Are you hungry?” Donald asked Isaac, who nodded. “Then come with me. I have macaroni and cheese. Do you like that?” Isaac nodded again and looked up at Jos. “I also have some soup, and I made some sandwiches, so come to the kitchen.”

Jos took Isaac’s hand and led him to the table. Donald helped Jos put Isaac in a booster chair and then set a plate in front of him. Isaac looked at Jos once again and then began to eat. Donald gave him a sippy cup of milk, but Isaac barely stopped shoveling food into his mouth to notice. Jos sat next to him, and Donald brought him a plate of food as well as a bowl of soup.

Kip sat down, and Donald brought him a sandwich before sitting down next to Carter.

“Will you tell me your full name?” Kip asked. He wasn’t sure Jos would, but he hoped rescuing him and helping feed him and Isaac would go a long way.

“Josten Applewhite,” he answered between bites.

“How did you end up on the streets?” Donald asked Jos.

“Got kicked out.” He barely paused to talk before going back to eat.

Kip shared a glance with Donald and Carter, ate his sandwich, and accepted a cup of coffee, watching both Jos and Isaac eat.

It wasn’t long before Isaac began to tire. He ate a large amount of food for a boy his size and drank two glasses of milk. Once he was done, he began falling asleep in his chair. Jos lifted Isaac out of the chair, setting him on his lap, and Isaac put his arms around Jos’s waist and his head on Jos’s chest and fell asleep. Soon Jos had eaten his fill too, and he sat back in the chair.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Kip was pretty sure Jos was very close to reaching the end of his rope.

“You’re welcome,” Donald said and then excused himself.

Kip shared a glance with Carter, who nodded, and Kip followed Donald out of the room.

“What should I do?” he asked Donald quietly in the hall. “I can’t put them back out on the street, but all the shelters are full to bursting.” He hoped Donald would offer to let them stay here. But they had Alex, and Kip wasn’t sure they even had room.

“It’s nearly midnight. I suggest you take them back to your house and put them to bed for the night. They need a chance to rest. I’ll come over in the morning and see what I can do to help.” Donald led Kip to a small room off the living room. “Here are some pajamas that should fit Isaac.” Donald grabbed a grocery store reusable shopping bag and began putting some things inside. “I’ve got clean clothes and things for him, as well as some other supplies you’ll need. If you don’t use it, bring it back.”

“Thanks. What about Jos?”

“I’ll let you help him. He’s closer to your size.” Donald grinned and handed Kip the bag. “They’re both dead on their feet, so take them home, put them to bed, and I bet you won’t hear a peep out of either of them for hours.”

“I hope you’re right,” Kip said and took the bag before returning to the kitchen. Isaac was still asleep, and Jos seemed about ready to fall asleep as well. “Come on. I’m going to take you home so you can both get some sleep.” He helped Jos to his feet and carried the things.

“Thank you,” Jos said to Donald and Carter as they left the house.

“You’ll need a booster seat,” Donald said as he rushed to the car and got it installed for Isaac in the backseat. “Can’t have you breaking the law, Officer,” Donald teased. He stood back as Jos got Isaac strapped in and then got in next to him.

“I appreciate your help,” Kip said.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” Donald called, and Kip waved before closing his door and pulling away from the curb.

He was dog-tired and glad he only had to go to the other side of town. The five-minute drive took most of the energy he had left. Kip parked in front of his house, and Jos got out, gathering Isaac into his arms.

“Is this where you live?” Jos asked.

“Yes. It was my mother’s dream house,” Kip said, watching Jos stand on the sidewalk, looking up at the large house in front of him.

“I like the porch. I bet it’s nice on summer nights. I remember—” Jos stopped cold and shifted Isaac onto his other shoulder, stepping out of the way. Kip locked his car and walked to the front door, then let them in. He turned on the hall lights, but not the ones to the other rooms. Kip intended to get them all up to bed, so he made a direct line to the stairs.

“I’ll put both of you in the guest room. I’m assuming Isaac is going to be most comfortable sleeping with you.” Kip opened the first door at the top of the stairs and turned on the light. “Get yourselves comfortable.” He set the bag on the bed. “There are pajamas for Isaac and some fresh clothes for him to have in the morning.”

“Can I take a shower?” Jos asked longingly.

“Sure. I’ll get you something to sleep in. The bathroom’s right there.” Kip opened a door across the hall and got out some towels for Jos. Then he went to his room and found a comfortable T-shirt and some light sweats. They’d be too big, but it was something clean for Jos to wear. “I can throw your clothes in the washer if you want. Just give them to me when you’re done, and I’ll put them in before I go to bed.”

Kip left Jos alone and heard him gently singing to Isaac. Kip went to his room and changed into comfortable clothes. When he returned, Isaac was already in bed, nearly asleep. Jos looked like the walking dead as he shuffled into the bathroom and closed the door. Kip knocked and handed Jos the clean clothes when he cracked the door. Then he left him alone to clean up.

Kip purposely had Jos use that bathroom. There was nothing in there but the basic things for guests. He didn’t know him that well and hadn’t wanted him to use the other bath, where he kept his various medications. He hoped Jos wasn’t using drugs, but he didn’t want to provide any temptation.

When Jos was done showering quite a while later, he looked a little revived and smelled a hell of a lot better. Kip took his clothes and carried them all the way to the basement, started the machine, and put in the clothes. He also made a note to remember to see to it that Jos had something to wear for the morning. The clothes he was washing didn’t seem as though they’d hold up much longer. When he climbed the stairs, Kip found the guest room door closed and the bathroom door open, towels hung to dry, and the sink and tub clean. Jos was neat—Kip had to give him that.

Kip went to his room and got ready for bed. He climbed between his crisp, clean sheets and realized just how much he took for granted. He didn’t want to think about the last time Jos and Isaac slept in a clean bed. Yet he hated it when his sheets were scratchy. Kip rolled onto his side and tried to go to sleep, but he ended up listening to the sounds of the house. Of course he knew he was listening for Jos and Isaac, but they were quiet.

He fell asleep but woke with a start in the middle of the night. Something wasn’t right, but he couldn’t put his finger on what it was. He stilled and listened, and a soft rustling reached his ears.

Kip got up and left his room. The door to the guest room was closed, and the sound came from there. Kip stepped to the door and stood still. Whimpering—he was hearing soft whimpers. He sighed. It was sobbing, muffled by bedding. Tears someone didn’t want heard and was trying his best to keep quiet.

Kip reached for the doorknob but stopped himself. He wasn’t going to intrude. Even if he wanted to try to help, there were limits to what he could do other than provide them a place for the night and try to see to it that both of them were safe. He went back to his room and climbed into bed, wondering how much he dared try to do to help.

JOSTEN WOKE
with a start. It was still dark, but he was too warm and definitely too comfortable. Something was wrong. When he opened his eyes and saw the streetlight-illuminated room with a fireplace and nice curtains, he remembered. Isaac was still asleep, burrowed down into the covers, pressed right against him, but he began to stir. Josten wanted to break into tears, but he’d already done that once and that was enough. He and Isaac had been fed and given a place to sleep that wasn’t on the streets or in one of those dormitory rooms with dozens of other people snoring, crying out, or just plain yelling their fear and terror in the middle of the night.

“Josten,” Isaac whined from next to him. “I have to go.”

“Okay,” Jos said and lifted Isaac out of the bed. He quietly opened the door and walked as softly as he could across the upstairs hall to the bathroom, where a nightlight burned. He set him on the potty so he could go.

“I like it here. It’s warm and there are no scary people.”

“I know.”

“Can we stay here? Mr. Policeman seems nice.”

“I doubt it,” Jos said. This was only for one night, and after Kip gave them some food in the morning, he and Isaac would be on their way. Maybe he could find a way to make some money so the two of them could get to a place where they might have a chance. What he needed was a job and a place to live. He’d had both of those not long ago, but then everything had gone to hell in two days. Two fucking days was all it had taken to pull his life away from him and put both him and Isaac on the streets. He hadn’t known it could happen that fast, but it had, and Jos didn’t know what to do to fix it. “Are you done?”

Isaac nodded, and Jos helped him off the toilet and helped him wipe. Then Jos pulled up his pajamas and lifted him into his arms. When he opened the door, he found Kip coming up the stairs with a glass of water. Jos smiled and took Isaac back to the bedroom and closed the door. He heard Kip go back to his room, and then the house was still once more.