Chapter 8- Criminal, Pt 1
Author's Note: Well, here it is. The chapter that has been making me smile and laugh randomly at the oddest times. I hope you like it as much as I do. This chapter really takes us to the heart of the story. Despite part of it "playing" already in Chapter 7, it still got too long. So, in the great tradition of the desperately awaited "IS" season premier (are we all dying yet?) and "Degrassi's" intense moments, it's gonna be a two-parter. As always, I don't own the music in these chapters. And please read and review (especially if you want that "preview" for Chapter 9).
Oh, and special thanks to "Supposed Rockstar" for suggesting the song "Tremble" for this chapter. You were right about that one...
Chapter 8- Criminal, Pt 1
Patrick Quincy sat at his computer, a thick science textbook open besides him. He tried concentrating on the detailed robotic principles his project required. Noise hindered his efforts. Green Day's newest album "Bullet In A Bible" blasted from the next room; squealing and laughter amplified the chaos. He shook his head and groaned.
" Another Friday night at the Quincy residence. Ruby and Caitlin going at it, as usual. Don't those two ever shut up. But, as usual, they'll probably go out, leaving me here to work."
A moment of longing flashed through him. Sometimes, he wondered what it would be like to be just a little different. He wondered what his sociable sister experienced; he yearned to just kick it and party just a bit more sometimes. To enjoy life the way Ruby so obviously did. Maybe even to have an actual girlfriend.
He stared at his reflection in the mirror, noting the unkempt hair, his unstylish sweats and glasses.
"Not you." he sighed.
Hysterical shrieks shattered his introspection.
"Come on!" he groaned, irritated by more than just the noise.
"Please tell me they are going out! I need to concentrate!"
To make sure, he walked towards his sister's room; her door was wide open. As he expected, she was clearly getting ready to go out. But surprisingly, her companion tonight was not Caitlin. Patrick naturally recognized Stacie Sloan, ordinary he scorned her, despising her music. Somehow, seeing the wholesomely sexy superstar in person, just hanging with Ruby constituted something else entirely. She looked different, dressed in a Grecian-style draped white silky top with gold straps and a low neckline, paired with the shortest black skirt he had ever seen. He couldn't help but notice she had the body to justify the ensemble. It made her appear somehow both tougher and more vulnerable. He stared at her.
Stacie caught his admiring stare, more than familiar with meriting looks like that. However, the uncertainty in Patrick's eyes somehow touched her. She met and returned his gaze.
Ruby noted the exchange between her brother and her friend. She then broke the strange silence.
"Did you want something?"
Patrick's attention riveted to his sister, first noting her apparel. Ruby stood before him, dressed in a tight, cropped, short-sleeved white T-shirt, paired with a black leather miniskirt their "aunts", Lucy and Michelle gave her for her last birthday. A slim chain belt and high black sandals completed the outfit. Her long auburn hair had been crimped and waved around her face, thick and full; makeup carefully accented her features. She looked several years older than she was.
"You are not going out like that!" Patrick said decisively, protectively.
"Oh, really? Like you're gonna stop me! Since when? I don't think so!" Ruby retorted.
"Have mom and dad seen you?"
"No. They are working late tonight. Going over the books or something." she answered vaguely.
"You know mom would never let you go out like that."
"No, I don't know that. And since she isn't here, she can't say no. And you can't either. You aren't going to squeal on me." she said, trying to keep the plea out of her voice.
"That depends..." he began.
"On what?" she asked, waiting to hear her brother's terms.
"He's right, Ruby." Stacie broke in, a sly smile on her face.
"Huh?" she replied.
"What?" Patrick asked, echoing his sister's confusion.
"You shouldn't go like that. We shouldn't. Not alone, anyway." she added, cleverly.
"Oh, yeah. Great idea!" Ruby said, immediately divining Stacie's plan.
"He should come with us. To protect us." the blonde girl said, her green eyes batting flirtatiously at Patrick.
"I... I don't know... Uh..." Patrick stammered.
"Oh, come on. You know you want to." Stacie continued, eyelashes fluttering, reducing her target to jelly. He remained silent; she took that for consent.
"That's settled, then." Her smile widened.
Ruby could barely contain her laughter. She'd never seen anyone work her brother like than, rendering him so tongue-tied.
"This night could be even more interesting than I thought!" she mused. She then moved to address the one problem still remaining, seizing her opportunity to do something she had always wanted to do for her brother.
"Except one thing. If we are gonna do this, we have to do something about your style. It's like, non-existent!" she said, frankly appraising her brother's too-casual and sloppy outfit.
Patrick started to protest, but Stacie quickly cut him off.
"She's right. It doesn't do you justice. You could look much better. Totally hot! Where's your stuff?"
Stacie tugged on Patrick's arm, as Ruby led the threesome into Patrick's room.
"Okaayy!" Stacie said, gleefully. "Let's see what's here."
Ruby threw open the closet door with a flourish.
"Hmmmm. Not much to work with." Stacie commented, surveying the contents.
"Tell me about it!" Ruby agreed, flipping quickly through her brother's garments.
"No, no, no, no. Yes!" she cheered, pulling something off a hanger.
"You think?" she asked.
"Totally!" her friend agreed.
Ruby tossed the brand-new, stylish, but still unworn Diesel jeans at her brother.
"Here. And wait." she added, moving to his dresser, and taking something out of the third drawer.
"Try this!" she ordered, tossing a plain, short sleeved, black T-shirt at him.
Shaking his head, Patrick went to the bathroom to change, and quickly returned.
"Well?" he asked.
"Definitely way better!" Ruby approved.
"But I'm not done with you yet..." Stacie said, giving him a sultry look. She reached for the hair gel she took from Ruby's room and poured a small amount into her palm.
"Just let me rub this in." she purred, and Patrick felt her hands running through his hair. He inhaled sharply, loving her intimate touch.
"Now, take off those glasses." she softly demanded.
Ruby hid her smile, waiting eagerly for her brother's response. He hesitated.
"Come on. You have such gorgeous eyes." Stacie cooed encouragingly.
He was no match for her, and could only do as she asked. Wordlessly, Ruby took the contacts from the top of his dresser and passed them to her friend to give to him. Stacie did so, smiling as he inserted them.
"Ooooh! Yes! You are such a hottie!" she cried out. "Ruby, what do you think?"
"Yes! Major improvement!"
"But something's still missing, don't you think?'
"Yeah. Just one more finishing touch..." Ruby pondered for a minute, then her eyes lit up.
"Wait a sec!" she cried, running from the room and returning quickly, clutching a dark object. She tossed it at her brother.
"Here. Try that!"
"Ruby. That's Dad's vintage leather jacket. I can't just take it..." Patrick began to protest, even as he put the garment on.
"Why not? He's not using it?"
"I should ask him first..."
"Ooooh, but it looks so great on you! I just looove a guy in a leather jacket!" Stacie replied decisively, reaching out to brush his shoulder.
"Damm! She's good!" Ruby thought admiringly.
"Well, if you like it that much..." her brother conceded, smiling at her friend.
"Oooh. I do. I really do." Stacie assured him.
The two girls surveyed their work, approvingly.
"Ok. We're ready. Let me just grab my purse and then we can go." she said, heading back towards Ruby's room.
"Grab mine too, will ya?" Ruby asked.
"Yup!" she cheerfully said, leaving the Quincy siblings alone. Ruby checked her watch.
"Ok. Right on time. Justin should be here any minute."
"Timberlake? He's coming too?" Patrick scornfully asked.
"Oh, he's not so bad..." Ruby's voice trailed off and she smiled softly. Her look was not lost on her brother.
"I don't believe it. Don't tell me you like him!" he snorted, making a gagging noise.
"He's a total boy-band cliche!"
"I never said I liked him..." Ruby began, a little defensively.
"You don't have to! Please! I'm not that dumb!"
"Like you are one to talk! You are totally into Stacie. I could go into sugar-shock just watching you two!" Ruby retorted, punctuating her reply with a retching sound of her own.
"So what? Anyway, does any of it really matter? Don't she and Timberlake have a thing going?"
"Don't call him that! Anyway, she said she and Justin are really just friends. The rest is media hype."
"No way." he replied in disbelief. He couldn't be that lucky.
"Way" she confidently answered.
"Well, then..." he mumbled, not knowing what else to say.
Ruby looked at him. She wasn't sure how to respond to this, either. Based on the admittedly little information she possessed about Stacie, she didn't think her friend would be into him. Then again, Patrick was transformed; he looked good, absolutely smoking! Most girls would go for that! Maybe her friend would too! Tonight, anything seemed possible. Delicious anticipation filled her, as she considered what lay ahead.
Patrick considered his sister, lost in thoughts of his own. She really looked gorgeous this evening and so grown up; her appearance belied her true age. He knew she was happy and he wouldn't ruin that for her. But she was still his little sister and he had to ask.
"About Blackburn? Don't you think he's a bit old for you?"
"He's only 17."
"Yeah, and you're only 14."
"Thanks for the math lesson, Einstein!"
"Well, math has never been your thing. Seriously, I'm just concerned..." he began.
"I know." she answered seriously, surprising him. She patted his hand.
"But it's not like that, really." she confessed. "I really don't know what to feel. I'm not even sure he likes me. He gives such confusing messages..."
"Yeah, guys are like that." he added comfortingly, but uneasily. He continued.
"If he doesn't like you, it's his loss. You are a beautiful girl. And a lot of fun, with a good heart, too. If he's too stupid to notice, don't worry. Someone else will. Someone better!" he said, convincingly.
Ambiguous emotions consumed Patrick. He wanted to reassure Ruby; he didn't like to see her hurt. But, ironically, that constituted exactly why he didn't want her getting mixed up with Justin in the first place. He didn't trust that kid; he couldn't say exactly why, but he knew what he felt.
"If he hurts her, he's toast!" he promised.
Ruby just looked at her brother, as always reading the unspoken thoughts in his mind. Uncharacteristically, she sweetly kissed his cheek.
"Hey! What's that for?" he asked, surprised.
"Thanks. You know."
"Yeah" he replied, in complete understanding.
The serious moment passed quickly and Ruby's bubbliness returned.
"I'm really glad you're coming! You look soooo good! Smoking hot! I bet they'll be tons of girls all over you tonight!"
"You think?" he asked, checking his reflection in the mirror. It stunned him; he really liked what he saw.
"I know. Wanna bet?" she teased.
"Maybe. Where are we going, anyway?" he asked, suddenly realizing he didn't know.
"Some club. It doesn't have a name, now. But it was Club Nightingale once. Where mom had her 21st birthday party. The night dad proposed. I'd like to see it."
"Yeah, me too." he added. "But is it okay for us to go there? Legal?"
"Well, Stacie and Justin always do. I guess we'll find out! Live a little!" she urged.
Stacie burst back into the room before Patrick could respond. He surveyed this lovely girl.
"Yeah" he thought, agreeing silently with Ruby. "Live a little! I guess there's no better reason to start!"
Oblivious to Patrick's thoughts, the object of his attention spoke.
"Okay. I just tried Justin's cell. He's not answering, which probably means he's on the way over." she informed them.
The sudden blast of a car horn confirmed that theory. Ruby and Stacie looked excitedly at each other, barely able to contain themselves.
"Let's go do it!" they squealed in perfect unison, and started towards the stairs.
"Whatever!" Patrick just shrugged his shoulders and followed.
Justin Blackburn stood impatiently on the front steps of the Quincy home. He ran his fingers through his perfectly waved hair, eager to get going.
"Come on!" he muttered, impatiently, though mere seconds had elapsed since he rang the bell.
The door swung open. His spirits lifted considerably when he viewed the two beautiful girls before him.
"Absolutely incredible. You both look amazing!" he gleefully said.
"Thanks. You look pretty good yourself!" Stacie replied, easily returning his complement.
"I can see how lucky I am having two such beautiful women all to myself tonight!" Justin started, then stopped abruptly, noting Patrick hovering behind them.
"Who the hell is that?" he bluntly demanded.
"Justin, this is my brother, Patrick." Ruby introduced.
The two guys blurted out quick hellos, as they eyed each other suspiciously.
"He's coming with us tonight." she continued.
Justin scowled. He definitely disliked that idea. Ruby's big brother could easily wreck his own plans. He tried to dissuade them.
"Him? He's unknown. Doubt we could even get him past the door!"
"Relax, Timberlake! The club lets you in! How cool can it be?" Patrick sarcastically shot back.
"Oh, come on!" Stacie cooed at Justin. "You know they'll let him in. I can get in anyone I want. I'll just say he's with me."
That thought did not appease Justin; it merely ticked him off further. In contrast, Patrick smiled at the idea.
Ruby finally spoke, settling the matter.
"He's my brother. Either he comes or I don't!" she demanded, loyally.
Justin found that second option completely unacceptable.
"Fine. Whatever!" he conceded.
"Cool!" Ruby rewarded him with a smile, then quickly pushed Patrick into the car before he could fire off another wisecrack at Justin. Stacie joined Justin in the front of the black convertible and the foursome sped out into the night.
Simultaneously, at Q-Records headquarters, Jude Quincy checked her cell phone and quickly read the text message from her son. She really meant to be home earlier, knowing it was Friday. A meeting with their accountants slowed her and Tommy down. She had really wanted to check in with the kids, knowing that likely, Ruby at least would be out. Surprisingly, they both were and together. Jude was glad of that, and even more pleased that Patrick was thoughtful enough to let her know where they were.
She walked into the luxurious office that adjoined her own. Tommy sat at his desk, his brow furrowed in concentration, as he perused a thick ledger in front of him. He glanced up, his face relaxing at the sight of his wife.
"Hey sweetheart." he greeted, walking towards her.
"Hmmm? Should you really be calling me that here? I thought it was strictly business at work?' she teased him, eyes sparkling.
"I'm the boss. I'll call you any damm thing I want!" he growled lovingly.
"Is that so?" she retorted.
"Yeah." he answered, pulling her into his arms and giving her a quick, but passionate kiss.
"It's just so good to see you right now." he whispered.
"Tired?" she asked, knowingly.
"A little. That meeting with the accountants really fried my brain. It's been a long week. But a good one."
"Yeah." Jude smiled. "Our daughter was amazing today!"
"I know. I had my TV on."
"I wish you had been there."
"Me too. But we've so much going down. Plus, it would have probably embarrassed her to have both of us there. But, hey, I'll make you a deal. Next time, I go and you stay here and work. Ok?"
"Hmm. I'll think about it." Jude replied.
"Speaking of amazing, did I tell you that you are? What an unbelievable job you did securing those song rights from Darius? I can't believe he sold "Pick Up The Pieces" so cheap!".
"It wasn't so cheap. He's not a total pushover."
"No, not by normal standards. But for Darius, this is incredible. I don't know how you did it."
"I told you, ego trip. Besides, you know I can be pretty persuasive when I want to be." she stated, looking intensely into his eyes.
Tommy couldn't resist her. He leaned closer and said softly.
"I know. I love it. I love you."
His lips found hers again, caressing hers repeatedly and deeply. They then moved downwards in familiar navigation, pressing a series of small kisses along her jawline, finally resting at her throat. His fingers traced the length of her collarbones, making her shiver in pleasure. Even after all these years, his touch drove her crazy; her effect on him was no less intense.
Tommy lifted his eyes to hers.
"I think we need to celebrate." he murmurred.
"You're the boss."
"Damm right" he smiled.
"The kids went out tonight..." Jude began, suggestively.
"Both of them?" he asked, surprised.
"Yes. And together."
"This really has been an incredible week. I wonder how that happened?" Tommy questioned.
"Well, Patrick's text message didn't exactly say. But they are with Justin and Stacie, so I wonder if she has something to do with it." Jude perceptively concluded.
"Possible. The kid's got taste. Takes after me like that."
"True!" Jude smugly responded, then continued.
"You're okay with this? With Ruby being out with them? She's younger than Stacie and Justin, and shall we say, less wordly."
"Well, yeah. She's no fool. And if Pat's with her, she's safe. What trouble could he possibly get into?" he asked, as his fingers stroked hers.
"True!" Jude thought, relieved and proud of her responsible son.
With that matter settled, Tommy allowed his mind to return to his own plans for the night.
"So, Mrs. Quincy? About our celebration?"
"What did you have in mind?"
"The usual. A nice, quiet dinner. Then, we'll see."
"Well, you're the boss. At least, this time." she insinuated.
"Good." he answered, flipping his books and folders closed and tossing them into his briefcase.
"I'll deal with these later. Let's go." he said, eagerly.
Hand in hand, they walked towards their car and drove off.
As Tommy and Jude left Q-Records, Ruby, Stacie, Justin and Patrick arrived at their destination. Despite Justin's stated beliefs, none of them experienced any trouble getting in. The bouncer merely looked them over quickly, noting the three celebrities and instantly admitted them to the club. The foursome settled at a table in the back VIP area, and Justin immediately signaled for a round of drinks.
The waitress quickly returned with four frosted glasses, which she placed before them.
"Excellent!" Stacie commented, cheerfully sipping hers.
Ruby picked up the glass, surveying the dark liquid inside.
"Coke or Pepsi?" she wondered, hoping for the latter. She much preferred the sweeter beverage and lifted it to her mouth.
The taste was not what she expected, but she maintained her composure.
However, Patrick was not as relaxed.
"What's in this anyway?"
"Rum and coke" Justin cooly responded.
"Sooo good! Don't you love them?" Stacie asked, patting Patrick's knee. Ruby quickly kicked his other leg under the table.
"Sure." Patrick agreed, nonchalantly.
"What? Like you even know! I bet you never even had one before!" Justin sneered.
Patrick took a big swig from his glass.
"I was just asking, since actually these seem kind of weak."
Justin eyed him suspiciously.
"Yeah, they are. But we can get as many as we want. As many as we need." he confidently promised.
"Bring it on, Timberlake." he replied, refusing to punk out to this arrogant kid. He recalled Ruby's earlier words.
"Come on. Live a little."
He returned Stacie's admiring smile, as she patted his knee again. Patrick reached confidently for his drink, and downed it.
While the guys argued, Stacie and Ruby surveyed the celebrity crowd filling the room. Suddenly, Stacie shrieked, recognizing several faces, the stars of a locally filmed TV show. Naturally, they knew her and came over to say hello.
"Ruby. This is Aubrey, Cassie, Myriam, Lauren and Jake."
She nodded casually, as if she met television stars every day. She did know a number of famous musicians, so her stance was convincing. In contrast, Patrick swallowed hard, clearly rattled. But that could also stem from the too-obvious admiration of the three female "Degrassi" stars, all staring at him longingly, to Justin's disgust.
His sister smiled at him, observing and enjoying everything, including Justin's reaction.
She quickly introduced Patrick to the three actresses.
"Well, hello there, hon!" Lauren greeted him first, tossing her golden hair.
"Hi!" Cassie said flirtatiously.
"It's nice to meet you, too." Myriam's words were more casual, but her face communicated her attraction.
Emboldened by their attention, and also by alcohol, Patrick returned their smiles.
"It's great to meet all of you, too. Three of the most beautiful women on TV. And you all are even more lovely in person" he said.
"Oooh, aren't you the charmer!" Lauren purred flirtatiously.
Justin smirked, but no one heard him. For once, no one paid him any attention; he had never experienced this sort of competition before.
Ruby was thrilled. Her brother actually had these girls swooning over him. Justin clearly was jealous.
"Do him good!" she thought, a little meanly. "Make him realize he's not all that! Not the only attractive guy in the universe!"
Ticked off, Justin moved immediately to recapture some female attention.
"Myriam!" he called to the young woman. "Come talk to me. I haven't seen your luscious self in ages."
That female allowed herself to be lured away, but that only resulted in intensifying Lauren's and Cassie's vying for Patrick attention.
Ruby and Stacie observed this scene, barely containing their laughter.
"This is sooo "Degrassi"." Stacie whispered in her friend's ear.
"Are you kidding? It's even better! Think they're gonna fight?"
"You never know." Stacie replied, as Aubrey distracted her, leaving Ruby standing with Jake.
"So, you're Ruby Quincy." the handsome actor said, smiling at her. "I've actually been wanting to meet you."
"Well, I guess it's your lucky night, then." Ruby returned his smile.
"I've been a fan of your mother's for years. And I saw you today on "Music Helps". You are just as talented."
"Thanks" she replied.
"I hear you've got your own album coming up."
"Yup!"
"So, tell me about it. What are your influences?"
Ruby and Jake easily began a long, in-depth discussion of music. Absorbed in the conversation, she relaxed completely and enjoyed herself immensely. It was not often that she got to talk to another songwriter on this level. Jake's tastes were similar to her own; he liked and disliked many of the same things she did, and not just in music.
Justin continued his conversation with Myriam, but kept watching Ruby from the corner of his eye. Clearly, Jake had her rapt attention; she focused on him, totally unaware of Justin's interest. This peeved the former boy-band star, not being what he had in mind at all. Fortunately, he saw the chance to change things.
"Taylor! Hey!" he said, waving to a girl with long, dark hair who just entered the room.
"Hi" she said, exchanging hugs with Justin.
"Have you seen Jake?" she asked, scanning the crowd.
"Over there." Justin grinned. "With Ruby Quincy"
"Shall we go interrupt?"
"Absolutely!" Justin grinned, completely satisfied. Things were going his way again.
Totally engrossed in conversation, Jake and Ruby didn't even see them approaching.
"We should jam sometime." Jake said.
"Sure!" Ruby agreed happily.
"Now, this is my type of guy." she thought.
"Hey, there you" a sultry voice called out.
"Hi, babe." Jake said, kissing Taylor.
"Ruby, this is my girlfriend Taylor. Taylor this is Ruby."
"Hi" Ruby replied evenly, managing to keep the disappointment out of her voice.
"Hi. Nice to meet you. Hear you're a rising music star."
Ruby just nodded. The music changed, and Madonna's new single "Future Lovers" came on.
"Oooh! I love this song! Jake, let's go dance!" Taylor cried.
"Sure. We'll catch you guys, later, ok?"
"Yeah." Ruby muttered, as the couple walked off towards the dance floor.
"So, Ruby? Double solitaire? Shall we join them?" Justin questioned.
She hesitated.
"Come on. Am I so awful you can't even dance with me? Or do I make you too nervous?" he persisted.
"Yeah, right!" Ruby answered, her heart accelerating.
"You don't intimidate me at all! You wish!" she replied, hoping to convince herself as well as him.
"Then you have no excuse." he said, extending his hand and grinning cockily. She had walked right into his trap.
"Whatever!" Ruby answered, trying to sound cool as she took his hand.
Her jangling nerves did calm down on the dance floor. She loved to move and Justin wasn't a bad partner. She also enjoyed the sight of Cassie and Lauren grooving on the floor with Patrick, both still fiercely competing for his attention.
A slow mix of Mark Et Claude's "Tremble" came on. Before she could stop him, or even knew what had happened, Ruby found herself in Justin's arms.
"Now, this is more like it." he whispered softly into her ear.
"Oh?" she replied.
"Yeah. I've been wanting to hold you like this since I met you."
Ruby couldn't speak, confused by a perplexing mix of attraction and repulsion. Unfortunately, the former dominated this moment.
Justin smiled smugly, sensing her tension. He knew he had her and seized his chance.
"Come on, Ruby. I know you feel it. Don't fight me." he whispered, his voice low and gravelly.
"Damm you." she thought, completely caving in.
"You do like me. I'll prove it." he confidently proclaimed.
"How you gonna do that?" she managed to shoot back at him.
"Like this"
He lowered his head towards her and his lips slowly approached her own. Just a split second before they met, a hand grabbed Ruby's wrist, forcefully dragging her far away.
She whirled around, to angrily face her brother.
"Omg, Pat! How embarrassing! Do you have to pick now to go all protective on me?"
"Yeah, I do. But not because of the male pop tart here. Look around."
Ruby did. Her involvement with Justin rendered her oblivious to the pandemonium in the room. People were screaming and running towards the exit.
"Police raid" Patrick informed her.
"Are you kidding?"
"No"
"Why?"
"Who knows? You wanna stick around and find out?"
"No! Mom and Dad are gonna freak!"
"Precisely why we gotta bolt and now!"
"Where's..." Ruby looked around for Justin; he had disappeared.
"Timberlake? I don't know. He can fend for himself. We gotta move!"
"And Stacie? We can't just leave her!"
"My guess is that those two made a run for it."
"No! She didn't! Look!" Ruby yelled, pointing to a small couch in a dark corner of the room. Stacie sat there, slumped over some guy.
"Great! You so owe me for this!" Patrick said.
"Can we just go get her and get outta here?"
They ran over to her.
"Stacie! Wake up!" Ruby shook her friend by the shoulders.
"How much did she have, anyway?" Patrick demanded.
"Don't ask me. I figured you'd be watching her!" she smartly replied
"Sheesh." he replied. "She's out cold!"
He picked her up and slung her over his shoulders, relieved her male companion did not protest. The sleeping girl offered no resistance, either.
"Now, let's go. Quickly!"
They hurried outside to where Justin had parked. The car was gone.
"Great!" Patrick complained. "Now what?"