CHAPTER FIVE
True to his word, Peter arrived at the county jail in less than two hours. Scott was pacing in his cell and looked a mess.
Peter tracked down an officer to start the process of getting Scott released.
"Are you his father?" the officer asked.
"No. Court appointed guardian." Peter explained that Scott had been adjudicated to his care at Mt. Horizon. "Is he being charged?"
The officer shoved some papers at Peter to sign. "We picked him up for loitering in the park. He was covered in bruises and had alcohol on his breath. We brought him back here and found a small amount of marijuana in his pockets. His blood alcohol is nearly twice the legal limit. Fresh track marks in his arms too. We didn't find any needles on him though."
Peter signed the last paper and glanced at Scott who was now sitting with his head in his hands. "Is he being charged?" Peter asked again.
"Not really much to charge him with – just minor infractions really. We'll release him to your care. Given that he's in the process of getting some help we'll just write up a summary for his record." He lowered his voice, "but I wouldn't let him out of your sight again. Next time he'll be looking at doing some hard time."
The officer unlocked Scott's cell and handed him over to Peter.
"Thank you," Peter told the officer. "Come on Scott. Let's get you home."
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Scott had slept the entire way to Mt. Horizon. When they arrived, Peter led Scott into his office. He sat him down and waited for Scott to say something, but Scott just stared off into the distance, his eyes hard and cold.
Peter sighed. "Okay. Let's get you to the infirmary, get those cuts cleaned up and get a drug test."
Scott never made a sound. He just stood up and followed Peter to the infirmary.
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Peter was reading the results of Scott's drug test. He had tested positive for pot, acid, and heroin. Peter just shook his head. How had all of this happened in just over two days?
Peter was trying to piece together what he knew from the police report, Doug's report, and his intuition. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Scott stepped in. "You wanted to see me?"
"Have a seat."
Scott sat down on the couch and Peter sat down next to him.
"I got your test results back." Peter held up the papers to show to Scott. "I guess you know what they have to say."
Scott shrugged.
"Talk to me man. Don't shut me out." Peter waited and then finally asked, "What happened?"
No response.
"Okay. Let me make this easier. Where did you get the drugs?"
"A friend."
"One of your old friends?"
"Yah." Scott shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Did you share needles?"
Scott shook his head. "I don't know."
"Okay," Peter said softly. "What about the bruises? Where did they come from?"
Silence.
"Were you in a fight?"
"No."
"Someone beat you up then?"
"Yah."
"A dealer?"
"No."
"A cop?"
"No."
"A family member?"
Silence.
"Your dad?"
More silence.
"Your uncle?"
Scott winced at the memory of the fight. Peter knew he had hit it dead on.
"Why did he do this Scott?"
Scott shrugged.
"Were you using?"
Scott nodded.
"Was he?"
Scott nodded again. "He was drunk. Said I drank his Scotch." He looked Peter directly in the eyes. "I didn't touch his damn Scotch."
Peter nodded and put his arm around Scott. "I believe you." Scott shuttered and closed his eyes. "It's okay. You're safe here. No one's going to hurt you."
Scott couldn't hold back the tears. Peter embraced him as he wept. 'How much more can this kid take?' he thought.