The Way Back
Chapter 10
Talia could do without the introductory video. She understands the issues of the foster system in a visceral way that no film could touch. Still, she appreciates the Hollywood community donating its time and resources to produce it. If shown to school personnel unfamiliar with the system, it should be a wake-up call.
The local supervisor, Laweeda Brown, remembers Talia. They spent about six weeks in the same facility while waiting to be placed and shared the same lunch table a couple of times. But even if she hadn't, she would have recognized Officer Bishop as a member of the same club - the cautious but determined look in her eyes is unmistakable. Laweeda does not doubt that Sergeant Grey picked the right cop for the job. "Look, Officer Bishop, the rules say that I have to put you through at least three days of training. You probably need it like the freeway needs more cars, but if you want to work with us, you'll have to put up with it. Are you willing to do that?"
Talia shrugs. "I've had to put up with a hell of a lot worse."
John wonders if the insistent knock will splinter the door of his stakeout house. The young man standing on the porch is wearing a crisp jumpsuit and has a lanyard around his neck displaying a picture ID with the name Mark Johnson. The company name on the laminated card is similar to a reputable firm Nolan knows - off only by a letter. It reminds John of the packaging of discount soup made to look almost like a national brand. In either case, the intent is to mislead. John can play along. "What can I do for you Mr. uh, Johnson?"
"The question is what I can do for you, Sir," Johnson insists. "Our company has been doing some work in the area, and we have materials left over. We can't return them to our supplier, but we can help you fix this place up and save you a lot of money." Mark pulls a colorful flyer from a deep pocket. "These are testimonials from some of your neighbors."
"I don't know the neighbors," John admits. "They may be friends of my aunt, but I had to - well - I'm in charge of the house now. But can you come back in an hour while I call some of these people?"
"Of course, Sir, but if I find another customer for our work, the materials will be gone, and you'll lose out."
"Okay," John concedes, reluctantly. "I suppose it will be all right."
"Good choice, Sir," Johnson assures him, "I'll get my crew, and I'll be back in no time. I just need your deposit. For fill-in jobs like this, we can only accept cash, but you should have enough time to visit an ATM."
"I guess so," John agrees, "I think there's one only a couple of miles from here."
John watches Johnson pull away in a pickup with a magnetic sign with the company on his ID, attached to the door. As soon as Johnson is gone, John calls Wolf. "I think the rats are sniffing at the trap. I need you to check out some names. And I have something the lab can use to pull prints."
"Chen," West calls as Lucy is leaving the station, "You want to double date with Gino and me tonight?"
She turns back to face him. "I don't have anyone to bring, Jackson. I like Gino, but I'd be a third wheel."
"Gino has a straight friend," Jackson offers.
"So this is a fix-up?" Lucy asks.
"Not really. It's just like you've seemed - I don't know - withdrawn. All you do after patrol is go home and work on fixing up your new apartment. When we used to go to Nolan's house after our shifts and walk on the beach, you looked like you were having a lot more fun."
"Mr. policework 24 hours a day is talking to me about having fun?"
"That didn't get me as far as I thought it would. I think I'm a better cop when I get out with people more, and I miss doing karaoke with you. Gino's got a lot of talents, but singing isn't one of them."
"So you're offering to get me a date so I'll sing with you?"
Jackson shrugs. "It's not the only reason, but we could have a good time. And you'll like Gino's friend Heathcliff."
"Heathcliff? His name is Heathcliff?"
"It's not his fault. He said his mother had a thing for the Wuthering Heights. Come on, Chen. Just meet him and see what you think."
"All right. I'll meet you and Gino - and Heathcliff at the karaoke bar at eight."
Shaking his head, John examines the lumber now stacked against the side of the dilapidated house. It's junk, probably scavenged from another decaying structure, and not even close to the grade needed for the repairs Mark is supposed to be doing.
Johnson only worked for about an hour before taking off, claiming he needed to purchase some specialized hardware. John paid him with marked bills provided by the L.A.P.D and doesn't know if the young man will return. He might. He told John that he'd need more cash or a money order for the $5000 balance of the repairs. That may be a payoff too big to ignore. If Johnson does come back, John will carefully document every substandard nail he hammers.
Tim and Nell work their way through the line at the Silver Corral all you can eat buffet. He hands his money to the cashier, saying only "two," but she doesn't need anything else. She gives him the markers to put on a table and his change. He leads the way to a small booth and puts down the chits before he and Nell go to pick up trays.
"I'm going for the chicken," Nell decides. "I'd go for seafood, but I only like it if I know it's going to be fresh."
"Avalon," Tim forms carefully.
"Oh yeah," she agrees. "Santa Catalina is the best. You can watch the restaurants buy the catch right off the dock. I had a cioppino there once you wouldn't believe. You know, a trip might be good for you. 'Twenty-six miles across the sea,'" she trills from an old Four Preps song. "Can you snorkel?"
Tim shakes his head.
"I've only done it once," Nell confesses. "I love the glass-bottomed boat though, and I went whale watching a couple of times too. I even saw one jump out of the water. Sorry, I'm babbling."
"No. Not." Tim insists, helping himself to what looks like passable enchiladas. "Nice. Fun."
"We should go then," Nell suggests. "I'm on shift Saturday, but we could drive down to Newport Beach Sunday morning and catch the Flyer. It comes back at 4:30. We could make it a day trip. This is the first time you've been more than a few blocks from your apartment except for therapy. They allow hardly any cars on Catalina. I bet breathing some air that isn't full of exhaust would be good for you. I know I could use it. We could even see the bison. What do you think?"
Tim adds sour cream and guacamole to his plate. "Sunday. Let's go."