Chapter Seven
Jaime had to think fast. "Kevin, I need you to sign your intake form!" she called out to Steve. Benny kept on walking but something in Jaime's voice made Steve turn around.
"I'll just humor the lady," Steve said easily, "give her an autograph and be right back." Benny walked a few more steps then hoisted himself up onto a low concrete fence to wait.
"They found another body," Jaime whispered as Steve bent over the desk, pen in hand. "Seven! Maybe we should pull you out; I don't trust Benny."
"He seems ok to me," Steve told her. "Actually he's been very helpful."
"He's using a phony name," Jaime explained. Steve raised an eyebrow but let her continue. "He's gotta be running from something...or someone."
"He does seem to move pretty fast, but he's not exactly transient. He knows everybody, so he's obviously been here awhile and -"
"I just don't want you to be Number Eight," Jaime pleaded.
"Maybe that's exactly what need to try to do."
"Steve!"
Steve brushed her hand as he headed for the door. "I'll check in when I can and yes, I'll be careful."
"Just don't let 'em get too close," Benny warned as he and Steve headed back 'home'. "They shouldn't need your life history to give you a sandwich."
"Their poster said they have doctors, legal help...even job counseling," Steve noted.
"Yeah, well, if you need that stuff get it somewhere else."
"I could sure use a job...some money, you know," Steve offered casually.
"I'll see what I can do," Benny promised.
"If they can help, wouldn't it be easier to -"
"Just trust me on this one, ok?" Benny stopped in the alley behind a fast food chicken place. "May as well pick up dinner while we're here," he said, throwing open the dumpster.
"From there?" Steve tried not to reel too hard in disgust.
Benny shrugged. "You got money?" he asked, grinning. He leaned over the side, feet off the ground, and began rooting through the bags. "Let me know if anyone's coming. They usually throw all the extra chicken from lunch into its own separate bag. And...here it is!" Benny jumped down, prize in hand. "We'll add this to whatever Harley digs up and have us a real fine dinner!"
Steve could hardly wait.
Back at the office, Jaime watched from the huge plate glass window in front until Steve and Benny were out of sight before returning to her desk with a worried sigh. Since Sarah would be meeting her at the Armory today, she took the Armory's Intake clipboard from the drawer and gave it a quick glance on the way to her car.
Each night, the ten men who managed to secure the spots reserved there signed themselves in on that date's Intake sheet. Jaime looked closer at the sheet from the previous day, her first at the Armory. Although every man had written or printed his signature himself, right in front of her, every name on the list now appeared to be written entirely in the same neat, careful handwriting. Even more curious was the fact that although ten men had checked in (with dozens more turned away)...there were only nine names on the list.
- - - - - -
