Chapter 2
"What did he try to do?", Robert stared at his sister, as she sat next to him in his car. Robin looked down, then repeated, "He wanted to go up to Crystal Point to make out, and I said no. He called me a baby and a.. cheap squaw. Oh, I didn't tell Mom or Pop that part, they were upset enough that he was such a jerk! He told me to get out of the car, so I did and just then Tasha came by, and saw him leave me. She was so mad; we drove to Taco J's and talked until almost 12:30. That's why I was so late, and Pop was so steamed!"
Her brother turned, then surprised her by hugging her, saying, "I'm sorry, squirt, I'm really sorry." "Oh, Rob, it's not your fault, you didn't know he was a pig. You'd better call Mom and Pop, though, they already said they don't want either of us near Mike again." Robin glanced over at him, "I could have Ramona give me a ride home if you want to see him after class."
"Thanks. That'll be as good a time as any. If I didn't have to graduate in a couple of months, I'd beat the crap out of him, but I never heard him say anything that awful before, guess he behaved himself just long enough to fool us." Rob stared straight ahead, "I guess this what Mom used to talk about, the friends you choose sometimes aren't the friends you deserve. I always thought it was funny when Mike would make fun of my idea to work in some kind of law enforcement, now I know why he used to call me "Chief", it sure wasn't a compliment!"
His sister shook her head, "I don't care what that moron thinks, Working with Rob as a sheriff would be great, but so would forensic police work! I wonder what Pop will say?" Rob grinned at her, "Well, I know for a fact Grandma won't like it any more then if I became a P.I. like Pop or Uncle A.J.!"
He got out of the car as the bell rang, "Well, time for my test, I'll see you before my final exam tomorrow."
Walking into his lab test, Robert saw Mike Kincaid in his usual place, only he was demonstrating his new toy, a palm sized video camera. As Rob came up behind him, he was describing some exploit to Tose and Rand, ex-teammates who always seemed to be rubbing the younger Simon the wrong way.
"Yeah, the little bitch got out of the car, and took off with that Tasha, but I got plenty of footage with Tamika up on the Point. Wait until she sees how I work her into the snuff footage, AVC will pay big bucks for it!" Hearing this, Rob angrily confronted Kincaid. "If the person you just referred to is my sister, I think you and I have something to discuss,
outside!"
Startled, his former friend held his hands up, "Hey, back down, Chief, um, Rob, I was only joking. I didn't know Robin didn't want to go to Crystal Point, I feel bad about the whole thing, tell her I'm sorry." "Oh, you're a sorry piece of work, all right, but if you are planning to do anymore of that porno filming of yours around here with any of my friends, you'll have me to answer to." Turning to go, he found himself facing the stupid face of Tose, who snarled, "You know what happens to snitches, don't you, they disappear." Rob stared at him and said, "Pity what happens when cousins marry, I guess I should have figured you out, Mike, by the company you keep. Excuse me, I'm going to take my test."
Walking away from the seething ex-player, Rob realized he might have crossed the wrong guy, but decided he'd better talk to his father about Kincaid's nasty little business.
Rick was just finishing up with a client when he heard his brother say, "Rob, how did your finals go?" Looking up, he saw his tall son in the doorway, grinning at A.J. as he described being the only one in class not to get sick dissecting a snake. "That's because the Chief showed you how to skin a rattler when you were, what, 14?, " A.J. teased.
Laughing at the expression on their visitor's face, Rick briefly introduced his son and had the pleasure of the businessman's look of envy, as he shook hands with Rob and departed. "Son, I'm proud of you, you took the hardest science class and stuck with it," he said, patting Rob on the shoulder.
"Thanks, Pop, but, I have to talk to you and Uncle A.J. about something, um, can you take a couple of minutes off," he replied, clearly uncomfortable. "Sure, Robbie, A.J. we don't have anybody else, do we?", Rick answered, figuring this was about Robin and Mike Kincaid.
"Nope, all done, let me lock the door and hang the sign, " A.J. got up and grabbing a couple of sodas for Rob and himself, sat down and listened as his nephew related what had Robin had told him.
Both Simon brothers went white with anger as Rob told them the unexpurgated version of Robin's experience. Rick unconsciously crumpled his styrefoam cup as his son also told them what happened to the girl who did go with Kincaid. "Rob, this, this punk should be arrested, if this girl was underage, Kincaid is guilty at least of contributing to the delinquency, not to mention molestation, of a minor," A.J. said, angrily. "That's not all, Uncle A.J., I found out he's using campus facilities to make a snuff video, he thinks he's going to sell it to that video channel, AVC and make a bundle. I just can't believe he's actually doing this kind of stuff, and that he thought he could get my sister to go along with it!", the upset student replied.
Turning to Rick, Rob looked at him and asked, "What do I do, Pop, I don't want to be a snitch, but what Mike and his goons are doing is really bad, I can't ignore it. Should I go to the Dean and report him?"
His father looked at him, then said, "You said yourself, son, that what Kincaid is doing is wrong. I think you at least need to go to the college authorities and tell what you know. You're not a snitch when you protect your sister and your friends from a criminal, and that's what Kincaid has become."
Rob looked at both men, then took a deep breath, saying, "I know what I have to do, I just needed you two to back me up." Rick got up and hugged his son, then glancing at A.J., told him, "I think one of us should go with you to the Dean tomorrow, I'm not saying Kincaid or his goons would try something, but just in case."
His son shook his head, "No, Pop, it will be ok. I'm going by Dave's post tomorrow, he and I have been studying together, you know he's trying out for the police academy. I'll let him know what I'm doing before I go. I only have two tests left, and I promised Mom I was going to lunch with her tomorrow, so I'll see the Dean between classes."
"All right, Rob, but you call if there are any problems. Your Uncle and I will be here until 3, then I'll meet your Mom at Linda's. Why don't you come by here and then we'll get your sister and go home together?" Rob laughed at his father's insistence and gave in, "Ok, Pop, I'll see you after school, I'm going to Ramona's to study then I'm taking her to dinner."
After his nephew left, A.J. looked at Rick. "What time is Rob's first test?" "About 8 am, Laurie said she was going to meet him at noon, that's why we're driving separate cars tomorrow." The older Simon stared back at A.J. then grinned. "Ok, little brother, if we can wrap up the Caldwell appointment early, we can slip over to the campus and make sure Rob doesn't have any surprises. Don't mention it to Laurie, though, she'll only worry."
'Yeah, like her husband isn't?" A.J. kidded, dodging a crumpled paper. "Come on, let's grab some take out and surprise her," his brother replied, ignoring the bait.
After dinner, Rick told Laurie and Robin what Rob was going to do, watching his wife's reaction of equal parts worry and pride in their son. Robin was quiet, and sensing she was blaming herself, Rick glanced at his daughter and said, "Honey, if you're thinking you helped cause this situation, don't. From what Rob said, this Kincaid and his buds would have tried this with someone else, and something worse could have occurred up there." Her mom sat next to her, and putting an arm around her, added, "Darling, you know you did the right thing, and so will your brother. Now, you go study, so that when you and Rob meet after class tomorrow, you can tell him you did your very best, ok?"
Robin nodded, and then hugged both of her parents. "I love you guys, I can always depend on you to be there." She got up and grabbed her books, only to have Laurie take them from her, saying, "I'll set up your study area, you get yourself a snack."
As soon as her door closed, Rick held out a hand to Laurie, who took it and sat next to him, as he put his arms around her. "Just hold me, Rick, I can't help being frightened for Robbie. I know they're just stupid kids, but what if they try something?" Her husband stroked her hair, and replied, "Rob's going to tell Dave, you remember, the campus security guard. They study together and he promised he'd alert him to what those fools are doing. He'll be all right." She kissed his cheek, sighing, "I know you're going to check up on him, just don't let him know, he'd be crushed if he found out." "Don't worry, sweetheart, A.J. and I will be careful. Now, how about a movie? I'll even make the popcorn!
" he offered.
"Deal! I'll lock up the barn while you pick which one to watch." she laughed, then stopped to kiss him again. As she went out through the kitchen, Rick smiled. Somehow he didn't think they'd make past the opening credits.
The next day crawled by slower and slower. A.J. couldn't get the Caldwell case done before 10, and when Laurie went to run errands before meeting Rob for lunch, Rick decided they had had enough. Both Simons were almost out the door when the main line rang, and Rick grabbed it first.
"Simon and Simon Investigations".
"Mr. Simon, thank God you're there, it's Ramona. Has Rob called you this morning?"
Rick frowned, then felt something cold in his stomach, "No, honey, he was supposed to have two tests this morning, and then meet his mother for lunch. Aren't you both scheduled to take your English test today?"
The girl's voice quavered, "Yes, Mr. Simon, but Rob hasn't come to class yet. I told the professor something must have happened to him, that he's never missed a test before, and he let me out to call you. Do you think I should see if he's still with the Dean?"
Rick looked at A.J., who was already dialing the administration offices. "No, Ramona, we'll do that. You just go back to class and tell the teacher that we're looking for Rob and see if he'll let him take the test at another time. I'll call you as soon as we get a hold of him." "Thank you, sir, I'll do my best," she replied, sounding calmer.
Rick ended the call, then saw his brother's face go white, "Thank you, Dean Anderson, we'll be right over. If we don't find him, we'll come by your office." Hanging up the receiver, A.J. looked at Rick. "Rob left his office at 9:45 this morning, he was supposed to be at his test at 10:30. The Dean is very worried; he says the information Rob provided confirms that Mike Kincaid and his friends have been running an underage porno video ring, and the college is going to bring charges. " The older Simon headed for the door, "Let's go, I want to check out the student center, Robin was supposed to meet Rob between classes, maybe she saw something."
Lead footing it to the college, Rick and A.J. arrived a little after 12, and started looking for Rob's Corvette. Not seeing it in its usual spot, they drove over to the lot by the Campus Center, then spotted Laurie standing by the entrance to the parking garage. She looked over at them, and Rick saw her expression. "A.J., she knows something's wrong, we'll have to tell her." His stomach churning, he saw her coming over to meet them. Please, he thought, let Laurie be able to handle this, if anything happened to Rob..
"What did he try to do?", Robert stared at his sister, as she sat next to him in his car. Robin looked down, then repeated, "He wanted to go up to Crystal Point to make out, and I said no. He called me a baby and a.. cheap squaw. Oh, I didn't tell Mom or Pop that part, they were upset enough that he was such a jerk! He told me to get out of the car, so I did and just then Tasha came by, and saw him leave me. She was so mad; we drove to Taco J's and talked until almost 12:30. That's why I was so late, and Pop was so steamed!"
Her brother turned, then surprised her by hugging her, saying, "I'm sorry, squirt, I'm really sorry." "Oh, Rob, it's not your fault, you didn't know he was a pig. You'd better call Mom and Pop, though, they already said they don't want either of us near Mike again." Robin glanced over at him, "I could have Ramona give me a ride home if you want to see him after class."
"Thanks. That'll be as good a time as any. If I didn't have to graduate in a couple of months, I'd beat the crap out of him, but I never heard him say anything that awful before, guess he behaved himself just long enough to fool us." Rob stared straight ahead, "I guess this what Mom used to talk about, the friends you choose sometimes aren't the friends you deserve. I always thought it was funny when Mike would make fun of my idea to work in some kind of law enforcement, now I know why he used to call me "Chief", it sure wasn't a compliment!"
His sister shook her head, "I don't care what that moron thinks, Working with Rob as a sheriff would be great, but so would forensic police work! I wonder what Pop will say?" Rob grinned at her, "Well, I know for a fact Grandma won't like it any more then if I became a P.I. like Pop or Uncle A.J.!"
He got out of the car as the bell rang, "Well, time for my test, I'll see you before my final exam tomorrow."
Walking into his lab test, Robert saw Mike Kincaid in his usual place, only he was demonstrating his new toy, a palm sized video camera. As Rob came up behind him, he was describing some exploit to Tose and Rand, ex-teammates who always seemed to be rubbing the younger Simon the wrong way.
"Yeah, the little bitch got out of the car, and took off with that Tasha, but I got plenty of footage with Tamika up on the Point. Wait until she sees how I work her into the snuff footage, AVC will pay big bucks for it!" Hearing this, Rob angrily confronted Kincaid. "If the person you just referred to is my sister, I think you and I have something to discuss,
outside!"
Startled, his former friend held his hands up, "Hey, back down, Chief, um, Rob, I was only joking. I didn't know Robin didn't want to go to Crystal Point, I feel bad about the whole thing, tell her I'm sorry." "Oh, you're a sorry piece of work, all right, but if you are planning to do anymore of that porno filming of yours around here with any of my friends, you'll have me to answer to." Turning to go, he found himself facing the stupid face of Tose, who snarled, "You know what happens to snitches, don't you, they disappear." Rob stared at him and said, "Pity what happens when cousins marry, I guess I should have figured you out, Mike, by the company you keep. Excuse me, I'm going to take my test."
Walking away from the seething ex-player, Rob realized he might have crossed the wrong guy, but decided he'd better talk to his father about Kincaid's nasty little business.
Rick was just finishing up with a client when he heard his brother say, "Rob, how did your finals go?" Looking up, he saw his tall son in the doorway, grinning at A.J. as he described being the only one in class not to get sick dissecting a snake. "That's because the Chief showed you how to skin a rattler when you were, what, 14?, " A.J. teased.
Laughing at the expression on their visitor's face, Rick briefly introduced his son and had the pleasure of the businessman's look of envy, as he shook hands with Rob and departed. "Son, I'm proud of you, you took the hardest science class and stuck with it," he said, patting Rob on the shoulder.
"Thanks, Pop, but, I have to talk to you and Uncle A.J. about something, um, can you take a couple of minutes off," he replied, clearly uncomfortable. "Sure, Robbie, A.J. we don't have anybody else, do we?", Rick answered, figuring this was about Robin and Mike Kincaid.
"Nope, all done, let me lock the door and hang the sign, " A.J. got up and grabbing a couple of sodas for Rob and himself, sat down and listened as his nephew related what had Robin had told him.
Both Simon brothers went white with anger as Rob told them the unexpurgated version of Robin's experience. Rick unconsciously crumpled his styrefoam cup as his son also told them what happened to the girl who did go with Kincaid. "Rob, this, this punk should be arrested, if this girl was underage, Kincaid is guilty at least of contributing to the delinquency, not to mention molestation, of a minor," A.J. said, angrily. "That's not all, Uncle A.J., I found out he's using campus facilities to make a snuff video, he thinks he's going to sell it to that video channel, AVC and make a bundle. I just can't believe he's actually doing this kind of stuff, and that he thought he could get my sister to go along with it!", the upset student replied.
Turning to Rick, Rob looked at him and asked, "What do I do, Pop, I don't want to be a snitch, but what Mike and his goons are doing is really bad, I can't ignore it. Should I go to the Dean and report him?"
His father looked at him, then said, "You said yourself, son, that what Kincaid is doing is wrong. I think you at least need to go to the college authorities and tell what you know. You're not a snitch when you protect your sister and your friends from a criminal, and that's what Kincaid has become."
Rob looked at both men, then took a deep breath, saying, "I know what I have to do, I just needed you two to back me up." Rick got up and hugged his son, then glancing at A.J., told him, "I think one of us should go with you to the Dean tomorrow, I'm not saying Kincaid or his goons would try something, but just in case."
His son shook his head, "No, Pop, it will be ok. I'm going by Dave's post tomorrow, he and I have been studying together, you know he's trying out for the police academy. I'll let him know what I'm doing before I go. I only have two tests left, and I promised Mom I was going to lunch with her tomorrow, so I'll see the Dean between classes."
"All right, Rob, but you call if there are any problems. Your Uncle and I will be here until 3, then I'll meet your Mom at Linda's. Why don't you come by here and then we'll get your sister and go home together?" Rob laughed at his father's insistence and gave in, "Ok, Pop, I'll see you after school, I'm going to Ramona's to study then I'm taking her to dinner."
After his nephew left, A.J. looked at Rick. "What time is Rob's first test?" "About 8 am, Laurie said she was going to meet him at noon, that's why we're driving separate cars tomorrow." The older Simon stared back at A.J. then grinned. "Ok, little brother, if we can wrap up the Caldwell appointment early, we can slip over to the campus and make sure Rob doesn't have any surprises. Don't mention it to Laurie, though, she'll only worry."
'Yeah, like her husband isn't?" A.J. kidded, dodging a crumpled paper. "Come on, let's grab some take out and surprise her," his brother replied, ignoring the bait.
After dinner, Rick told Laurie and Robin what Rob was going to do, watching his wife's reaction of equal parts worry and pride in their son. Robin was quiet, and sensing she was blaming herself, Rick glanced at his daughter and said, "Honey, if you're thinking you helped cause this situation, don't. From what Rob said, this Kincaid and his buds would have tried this with someone else, and something worse could have occurred up there." Her mom sat next to her, and putting an arm around her, added, "Darling, you know you did the right thing, and so will your brother. Now, you go study, so that when you and Rob meet after class tomorrow, you can tell him you did your very best, ok?"
Robin nodded, and then hugged both of her parents. "I love you guys, I can always depend on you to be there." She got up and grabbed her books, only to have Laurie take them from her, saying, "I'll set up your study area, you get yourself a snack."
As soon as her door closed, Rick held out a hand to Laurie, who took it and sat next to him, as he put his arms around her. "Just hold me, Rick, I can't help being frightened for Robbie. I know they're just stupid kids, but what if they try something?" Her husband stroked her hair, and replied, "Rob's going to tell Dave, you remember, the campus security guard. They study together and he promised he'd alert him to what those fools are doing. He'll be all right." She kissed his cheek, sighing, "I know you're going to check up on him, just don't let him know, he'd be crushed if he found out." "Don't worry, sweetheart, A.J. and I will be careful. Now, how about a movie? I'll even make the popcorn!
" he offered.
"Deal! I'll lock up the barn while you pick which one to watch." she laughed, then stopped to kiss him again. As she went out through the kitchen, Rick smiled. Somehow he didn't think they'd make past the opening credits.
The next day crawled by slower and slower. A.J. couldn't get the Caldwell case done before 10, and when Laurie went to run errands before meeting Rob for lunch, Rick decided they had had enough. Both Simons were almost out the door when the main line rang, and Rick grabbed it first.
"Simon and Simon Investigations".
"Mr. Simon, thank God you're there, it's Ramona. Has Rob called you this morning?"
Rick frowned, then felt something cold in his stomach, "No, honey, he was supposed to have two tests this morning, and then meet his mother for lunch. Aren't you both scheduled to take your English test today?"
The girl's voice quavered, "Yes, Mr. Simon, but Rob hasn't come to class yet. I told the professor something must have happened to him, that he's never missed a test before, and he let me out to call you. Do you think I should see if he's still with the Dean?"
Rick looked at A.J., who was already dialing the administration offices. "No, Ramona, we'll do that. You just go back to class and tell the teacher that we're looking for Rob and see if he'll let him take the test at another time. I'll call you as soon as we get a hold of him." "Thank you, sir, I'll do my best," she replied, sounding calmer.
Rick ended the call, then saw his brother's face go white, "Thank you, Dean Anderson, we'll be right over. If we don't find him, we'll come by your office." Hanging up the receiver, A.J. looked at Rick. "Rob left his office at 9:45 this morning, he was supposed to be at his test at 10:30. The Dean is very worried; he says the information Rob provided confirms that Mike Kincaid and his friends have been running an underage porno video ring, and the college is going to bring charges. " The older Simon headed for the door, "Let's go, I want to check out the student center, Robin was supposed to meet Rob between classes, maybe she saw something."
Lead footing it to the college, Rick and A.J. arrived a little after 12, and started looking for Rob's Corvette. Not seeing it in its usual spot, they drove over to the lot by the Campus Center, then spotted Laurie standing by the entrance to the parking garage. She looked over at them, and Rick saw her expression. "A.J., she knows something's wrong, we'll have to tell her." His stomach churning, he saw her coming over to meet them. Please, he thought, let Laurie be able to handle this, if anything happened to Rob..