Walking a Long, Hard Road

Chapter Two: Facing the Crew

Saturday, Johnny's Place

Marco swallowed anxiously as he got out of Chet's car. "What if they don't believe me? Or get mad because I lied?"

"Come on, pal, they'll believe you; trust me," Chet reassured. "And, technically, you didn't lie; you just withheld information."

"Same difference," Lopez muttered, following the Irishman around the corner of the slightly run-down house.

A chorus of greetings welcomed the new arrivals. Johnny was standing with Roy in front of the stone barbeque pit they had built shortly after Gage had bought the house and surrounding property.

Kelly sauntered over and did an exaggerated double-take. "What's this? Steaks? Don't tell me you've finally learned to cook something other than burgers and dogs?" he needled, pointing to a plate piled high with slabs of perfectly marbled beef.

"If you'd rather have a burger, there's a package of ground round in the fridge," grinned John. "Help yourself."

Roy glanced over to where Marco was talking to Mike and Cap. "Poor guy looks like he hasn't slept in days," commented the paramedic.

"Or eaten," added Gage. He reached for the plate and laid the steaks on the grill. "How do you want yours, Chet?"

"Cooked," joked the Irishman, his mustache twitching. "Medium rare is fine," he said, watching his friend season the meat. "What's that stuff?"

"Something Joanne gave me. It's salt, pepper, garlic, onion, and a few other things."

"Share it with Stoker," said Chet, shooting Roy a wink. "You gave Joanne his spaghetti recipe, so give Mike one of hers."

"No way!" answered Johnny, shaking his head emphatically. "I may be nuts, but I'm not crazy."

"No comment," laughed Roy.

Once the men had eaten their fill, they sat quietly on the large wooden deck, drinking beer and listening to the sounds coming from the woods behind the house. Off in the distance, a pack of coyotes began their nightly chorus, their cries echoing through the canyon. After a few moments, Hank cleared his throat. "You ready to tell us what's going on, pal?" he said, putting a hand on Marco's shoulder.

The Latino fireman took a deep breath. "It's kind of a long story, so bear with me. You know about my sister, Louisa, right?"

"You've mentioned her a few times," answered Johnny. "Didn't you say she was off at school or something?"

"No, he said she was away, but didn't say where," corrected Roy.

Gage frowned, confused. "Okay, but what does that have to do with why Marco tried to punch out the squad?"

"Make like Stoker and be quiet," retorted Chet. "Then maybe you'll find out."

The paramedic opened his mouth to reply, but changed his mind when Hank growled low in his throat and shot him a look. "Sorry, Cap."

Stoker suppressed a grin and leaned forward. "Marco, after you tried to punch out the squad, as Gage put it, you said that girl, Lori, was seventeen, just like your sister was when she..." He bit his lip, unsure how to say what he was thinking. "Is she...dead?"

"No, no, she's not, as far as I know," he answered, his voice husky with emotion. "I haven't seen or spoken to her since the day she was, uh..."

"Was what?" asked Roy.

"Go on, tell them," Chet encouraged his friend. "It's okay."

Marco looked around the loose circle, locking eyes with each man before he spoke. "Since the day she was sentenced," he said quietly.