Safe Harbor - 27

Kurt and the three teens returned to the shelter just as the sun was coming up. None of them looked particularly happy but at least they now knew Bets was holding her own and would live. Beyond that it was still anyone’s guess. She’d been raped, sodomized and then beaten. Only the man finding her moments after she’d been dumped in the pond had saved her life.

Kurt led the way upstairs, stopped in front of one of the counselor’s doors and knocked. When the woman opened the door, only half awake, he asked her politely if she’d mind the two girls bunking down with her for the time being.

"We don’t have to," Jo-Jo started to protest.

"Yes, you do. While we don’t know if it was just bad luck those men found Bets again, we are not taking any chances. They already accosted the three of you. Who knows if they followed Cry and Bets back to your friend’s place before they grabbed her."

The counselor was more awake by then, telling Kurt she had no problem sharing the room with the girls. "Especially since it’s really for whoever has night duty. Come on in, you two. There’s only one bed but plenty of floor space and I’ve got a stash of sleeping bags and blankets in the storage closet."

"As for you…" Kurt turned to Bobby once the girls were in the room and the door closed behind them.

"I’ll sleep in your office again."

Kurt shook his head. "I want you where I can keep an eye on you. And not…" he added seconds later when Bobby grinned, "in that way. I don’t want you going off half-cocked trying to do something on your own. Besides, you’ve spent time with the girls on the street so if the two killers did target Bets because she and the others escaped their clutches they could have an interest in you now, as well. Don’t forget, two of their victims were male."

"As if I could. So I’m crashing on your bedroom floor?"

"For what’s left of the night, or morning at this point, yes. Later we’ll figure out a better arrangement."

"Like me sharing your bed?" Bobby asked hopefully as he trailed Kurt down the hall to his room.

Kurt snorted. "When you see it you’ll know that’s not an option."

Bobby had to agree when they got into the room. He wasn’t even certain there was enough space on the floor for him, though he wasn’t going to mention it and have Kurt foist him off on one of the male counselors.

"The bathroom’s there," Kurt pointed. "Feel free to shower. I’ll be back in a few minutes."

"Umm, sure, okay."

Safe Harbor - 26

It was closing in on ten that evening when Kurt finally heard back from Daniel. The shelter was teeming with kids by then. Those who had gotten there early enough had been assigned beds for the night. The rest were mingling in the community room, talking about the dead kids and waiting for any news about Bets. Jo-Jo and Cry were huddled together on one of the sofas facing the front entrance to the building. Every time the door opened they looked up hopefully only to have their hopes dashed when it wasn’t their friend.

When Kurt’s phone rang Bobby, who was standing next to him, whistled for silence. Every face turned expectantly and Kurt chuckled as he opened his phone. "If it’s some telemarketer they’re going to be pissed."

Bobby snorted. "Them and us both."

It was Daniel and by the time he’d finished talking Kurt was scowling. He snapped the phone shut with a bit more force than was necessary and looked at the kids.

"There’s good news and bad news. They found Bets in a pond a mile or so out of town. The good news is she’s alive. The bad news is they’re not sure for how long and what she’ll be like if she does make it." 

Cheers went up for a brief moment before the full impact of Kurt’s words sank in.

"Did they catch the bastards who hurt her?" one boy called out.

"No, but according to the detective, the man who found her got there right after she’d been dumped. He lives on the other side of the road from the pond and heard a car drive onto the narrow access lane. His dog began barking so he went to check but got there too late to see more than them driving away."

"Did he at least get the plate number?" another kid asked.

Kurt shook his head. "I don’t know. Daniel didn’t say and I forgot to ask." He chuckled when the kid gave an exaggerated sigh of disgust.

"Father Kurt, can we go to the hospital and see Bets?"

"I don’t think they’ll let you see her, Cry, but I’m going there as soon as we’re finished here, so if you want to come along you’re welcome to, you and Jo-Jo."

"And me," Bobby told him.

"And you of course, but that’s it. My car is only so big. Now, if no one has any more questions I have to get ready."

"Get ready?" Cry watched as Kurt headed upstairs, a puzzled look on her face.

"He is a priest," Bobby explained. "So I guess he has to dress like one so he can…" He shivered. "Well, just in case she doesn’t make it you know."

"Oh." Cry looked as if she was going to break into tears.

Bobby gave her a hug. "She is going to make it and then testify against those bastards when they go to trial."

Jo-Jo nodded. "Damned straight she is."

Safe Harbor – 25

"Nothing, nada." Bobby told Kurt as he and two of the other older boys came into Kurt's office. "It’s like she vanished off the face of the earth."

One of the boys nodded as he flopped down in a chair. "We even ran into the guy she’s been sneaking out to see. Didn’t know it was him at first. Just handed him her picture and he was like all up in my face about how come I was looking for her."

"Did he see her at all last night?"

"No, Father, and he was pissed about it. Said she never stands him up."

Kurt rapped his fingers on the desk, frowning. "So somewhere between the time she left Cry at their place and wherever she was supposed to meet him she vanished."

"And from what he said it wasn’t too far away, like five blocks at most."

Bobby paced to the window, staring out for a minute before turning back to face the others. "Those bastards came after them once. I wonder if they somehow managed to follow us back here last night. I mean I was watching out for them, all of us were, but…" He shrugged.

Kurt shook his head. "If they did, why not take her and Cry on their way back to the squat? Why wait until it was just Bets?"

"They’re crazy?" one of the boys said sarcastically.

"That’s a given." Bobby pounded his fist into his open palm as he started pacing again. "It’s a good point though…Kurt. So maybe they were cruising around looking for another vic and just happened to spot her and decided to finish the job they started earlier."

Kurt smiled slightly at Bobby’s using his name, even if he had hesitated first. "Let me call Detective Denton with this bit of information. It will give him a starting point. Or it will if one of you knows where the girls are staying."

All three boys shook their heads. "We tell you and the cops will kick them outta there," Bobby told him.

"So no address, just a block, somewhere to fan out from." Kurt looked at the kid who’d talked to Bets’s boyfriend. "I don’t suppose the guy told you where he lives did he?"

"Didn’t have to. He always meets her at a coffee spot. Umm, Joey’s Java he said."

By then Kurt had the phone to his ear and was dialing. When Daniel answered he passed on what little the kids had discovered. "I know it’s not much but…" He nodded at Daniel’s reply and hung up, looking at the boys. "The problem, of course, is even if they did grab her we have no idea where they would have taken her." From the looks on their faces he knew the boys understood and were not happy about the idea.

Safe Harbor - 24

Kurt took his phone out to call Daniel, stepping away from the group to do so. After explaining the situation he listened, then turned to Jo-Jo. "Do you think you can do a sketch of her from memory?"

"I can try."

Bobby popped to his feet, going to get her a pad and pencil from the desk, and then went to stand by Kurt, unashamedly listening in on his end of the conversation. When he heard Kurt trying to describe what Bets had been wearing when she’d left the shelter the previous evening he took the phone from him to tell the detective the details, down to the type of shoes.

Kurt cocked an eyebrow and took the phone back to finish his conversation with Daniel. When it was over he put the phone back on his belt then asked Bobby, "Since when did you become such a fashion expert?"

"Not an expert. It comes from really looking at people, which is a habit and has been forever." Bobby smiled slightly. "Like I noticed you’re not wearing your collar."

"I don’t always."

"Yeah, you do. Well maybe not in the shower but if you’re wearing clothes you’re wearing it, until this morning."

"I just decided…maybe new kids coming here wouldn’t feel so uptight if they thought I was just another counselor."

"Umm hmm. I believe that and you’ll try to sell me a cell phone for cheap."

"What?"

Bobby chuckled. "It’s a street scam. I’ll explain it to you sometime. Anyway, are they putting out an APB on Bets?"

"Daniel said he’d do his best, though he wasn’t hopeful anyone would really take it seriously even with the killings. As he put it, to most beat cops she’d be just one more street kid who decided to move on."

"That sucks big time, but I’m not surprised. So we’re going to have to get out there and let everyone know she’s missing." Bobby went back to the kids around Jo-Jo and Cry. The group had now expanded to include almost everyone who had crashed at the shelter that night. Quickly and succinctly, he told them what he wanted them to do and showed them the sketch Jo-Jo had made of Bets and then sent one of the kids off to the office with it to get copies made for them to distribute.

Kurt joined them, suggesting they eat first while they waited. Most of the kids immediately headed to the dining room but a few of the older ones including Bobby, knowing the situation was serious, decided to hit the streets immediately. Kurt resisted the impulse to tell them to be careful. He had the feeling they’d be more insulted than anything else by that. It didn’t, however, keep him from stopping Bobby long enough to caution him. That earned him a smile and a surreptitious pat on his ass by the young man, which made him jump in surprise. Bobby grinned and followed the others out onto the street.

Safe Harbor – 23

Morning came and with it a problem which superseded any personal ones Kurt thought he would be having. He came downstairs to find Jo-Jo and Cry huddled together in the community room, with Bobby and a few other kids trying to calm them down.

Kurt hurried over to them, asking "What’s going on?" although he had a really bad feeling he knew.

"It’s Bets, she’s missing," Bobby told him, keeping his arm around Cry’s shoulder.

"She…she said she needed to do something when we got back to the place we’re staying. She wouldn’t let me go with her, just…just made me promise not to worry, which was stupid ‘cause of course I worried but she wouldn’t come inside when we got there. She does that sometimes. Ask Jo-Jo."

Jo-Jo nodded. "I think she’s got some man who…well you know. Someone she keeps a secret from the dude we’re staying with."

"And like an idiot she took off," Bobby muttered.

"And she never came back." Cry wiped her sleeve over her nose, prompting Kurt to hand her a tissue which she took with a weak "Thank you."

"All right," Kurt said. "Before you panic any more than you already have, stop and think. When she does this, does she always come back to your place by morning?"

"Yes," both girls replied at the same time.

"We all have to be there when the dude wakes up so we can…well…" Jo-Jo looked down at the floor.

"Give him the cash they made the night before." Bobby glanced at Kurt as he explained. For a second his eyes widened in surprise when he obviously realized Kurt wasn’t wearing his collar.

Kurt caught the look and smiled slightly at him before getting back to the business at hand. "Neither of you have any idea who this other man might be?"

Jo-Jo shook her head. "But I think he has money because sometimes she comes home with stuff, you know nice stuff."

"She’s not with him. I know something horrible’s happened to her. Those men got her." Cry buried her face in Bobby’s shoulder, sniffling.

"Now I know why they call you Cry." Bobby chuckled, patting her head.

For a second Kurt felt a flash of jealousy which he quickly tapped down with the admonition he was being stupid. "The first thing we’re going to do is let the police know she’s missing."

"Like they’d give a damn," one of the kids muttered.

"Under the circumstances I’m sure they will."

Safe Harbor – 22

Just what the hell do I think I’m doing?

Kurt stared at his reflection in the mirror.

Am I taking advantage of a needy young man, or is it possible something real could happen between us?

"Damned if I know," he growled as he removed his collar, putting it into the box on his dresser. As he did he looked at it.

My armor. Does this piece of material make a damned bit of difference in how I view life? As a symbol, a reminder of what I am, yes. In reality, no. I believe in the teaching of the church, but damn it I also believe I have the right to live as a human being, not only as a symbol of the church. I have the God-given right to love whomever I want, just as the parishioners I minister to do. The diocese says I can.

He smiled slightly at his reflection.

At least this diocese does. I should be glad I’m here. But that has nothing to do with… anything.

He unbuttoned his shirt and went to hang it up. Then after putting his keys and wallet in the dresser drawer he toed off his shoes and took off his jeans, hanging them up as well.

Maybe it’s time to start relaxing my self-imposed rules. I don’t have to wear the collar. Not with what I’m doing. It doesn’t make the kids respect me any more, or— he chuckled, —any less than they already do.

Going into the bathroom he stripped off his briefs, tossing them in the hamper along with his socks. Too tired to shower he washed up at the sink, brushed his teeth, and headed back into his small bedroom. As he looked at his narrow bed he shook his head at where his thoughts went.

It’s hardly large enough for one, how can two of us… And that is enough of that. By morning he might have changed his mind. I might change my mind, not that I’ve made any decision to begin with.

Sitting on the edge of his bed he said his prayers, as he had every night since childhood. This time though he added one more. "Please, God, help me make the right choice."

Then, exhausted, he slid under the covers and moments later he was sound asleep.

Safe Harbor - 21

Bobby looked at Kurt and smirked. "Resist a handsome man. I so don’t think so."

Kurt rolled his eyes. "That is not what I meant and you know it."

"Yeah, I do. But for a second…well it was there so I had to say it."

"Of course you did." Kurt smiled in amusement. "You wouldn’t be you if you hadn’t. For now though, I think we both need to get some sleep. If you want to use the sofa I’ll get you a blanket, but you know the kids will wake you as soon as they come down for breakfast." He snapped his fingers. "Got it, you can crash on the sofa in my office where no one will bother you."

"Deal." Bobby got up, snagging his pack from the floor, and started in that direction. "Do I still get a blanket?"

Kurt nodded. "I’ll be right back with one."

When he returned a few minutes later it didn’t occur to him to knock before entering his office, so he was treated to a sight which sent his libido into high gear.

Bobby had obviously decided to clean up a bit in the small washroom off to one side of the office. He’d just stepped back into the room, still in his well-worn jeans which were half undone—and shirtless. For a moment he wasn’t aware Kurt was there as he stretched, every line of his lean muscular torso standing out in high relief.

Kurt hissed in a breath and Bobby whirled around. A sly grin lit his face. "Want to see the rest?" The effect of his words was ruined when he suddenly yawned widely. "Or not. I’m not sure I have the energy to strip," he admitted ruefully.

"Damned good thing." Kurt’s words came out as a low groaning growl which said a lot for what he was feeling just then. "Here’s the blanket. See you in the morning."

"Yeah. Thanks." Bobby moved close enough to take it from Kurt. For a second they stood frozen where they were. Then Bobby muttered, "The hell with it," and kissed Kurt. It was brief, nothing more than a brush of lips, before he grabbed the blanket and turned to go to the sofa.

Shocked, Kurt licked his lips as he watched him retreat. His voice was husky when he murmured, "Is that the best you can do?"

Bobby froze. Slowly he rotated on one foot to face Kurt again. "No."

Kurt beckoned to him. "Show me."

The pause after his words was pregnant with possibilities. They each took one step forward. Kurt’s arms encircled Bobby’s slender waist as their lips met in an exploratory kiss.

It might have gone well beyond exploration if Bobby hadn’t pulled back, yawning deeply. "Shit, that sort of killed things."

Kurt couldn’t help but laugh. "For the time being, I think so." Cupping Bobby’s jaw he planted one last swift kiss on his mouth. "But there’s always tomorrow when we’ve both gotten some sleep."

"For reals?"

"Yes, for reals." Putting his hands on Bobby’s shoulders, Kurt turned him around, giving him a gentle push towards the sofa. "Go to bed, such as it is."

"You too." Bobby settled down, groaning when he saw the blanket on the floor a few feet away.

Kurt picked it up and spread it over the tired young man. "I’ll see you in the morning."

Bobby smiled, yawned again, and barely managed to nod before he fell asleep.

Safe Harbor - 20

Kurt took a deep breath as he moved to close the space between them. Bobby backed away with a shake of his head. "I don’t need a hug and nice words, Father."

"Wasn’t quite planning on that. Okay the hug, yes. I’m not certain there are any nice words I can offer after what you just told me." He smiled tightly. "I have a few very choice words for that bastard, most of them ones I’m not supposed to know and for damned sure shouldn’t say out loud. And one question which you don’t have to answer. Why didn’t you go to the police?"

Bobby snorted. "You know the three men I told you about? One of them was the esteemed police chief of our little town."

"Where the hell was this, the backwoods of the Ozarks?"

"Pretty much, yeah." Bobby paused, walked to one of the sofas and sank down on it. "Maybe I will crash here after all, but just for what’s left of tonight. All this," he looked up at Kurt and chuckled though his eyes were still filled with pain. "All this true confessions can wear a guy out."

"It can, but in the end it can also be liberating. I’d bet my bottom dollar this is the first time you’ve ever told anyone your story."

"Yeah, well it’s not exactly something I get off on remembering. Besides talking about it doesn’t change anything, so better to forget and move on."

Kurt sat down beside him. "Not true. I could whip out a lot of platitudes. Ones about how it made you a better, stronger, more understanding man because you get that we don’t live in some bright-eyed fairy tale where ogres get slain and the prince saves the world and rides off to a happily ever after." He patted Bobby’s knee. "And to an extent it’s true. You’ve seen evil and you still do, and you try to protect the kids from it as much as you’re able."

"So do you, Father."

"Bobby, look, could you drop the ‘Father’ thing. My name is Kurt and I’d really like it if you’d call me that."

"I do! Sometimes."

"No. When you use my name, which is rarely, it’s always ‘Father’ Kurt. Drop the title and try to pretend I’m just another male and a friend." When Bobby nodded slowly Kurt smiled. "Thanks. Now back to what I was saying. Yes, I do my best to help and protect the kids as much as possible. But you’re in a unique position because you’re one of them and I’ve seen you use that very effectively. You understand why they’re on the streets and what they’re going through on a gut level, which is something I’ll never be able to do no matter how hard I try."

"So…yeah I guess maybe you’re right." Bobby chuckled low. "You trying to recruit me to work here, Fa…, umm Kurt?"

"If I thought I could you’re damned right I would," Kurt told him emphatically.

"No shit?"

"No shit. But I’m not trying it right this second. You might say yes because you’re too tired to resist."

Safe Harbor - 19

"I’m allowed to have feelings and to act on them if I want to," Kurt replied.

"Yeah, I know you guys can marry and all that." Bobby bit his lip. "I sorta looked it up," he admitted as he pulled free of Kurt’s grip.

"While you were researching did you also find out that us ‘guys’ can be priests even if we’re gay?"

"Well…yeah." Backing away he looked at Kurt. "You saying you are?"

"Well…yeah," Kurt replied, smiling as he mimicked Bobby.

"Doesn’t mean anything though. So you’re gay. Doesn’t mean you’d be interested in me. I’m just some stupid damned kid who lives on the streets, and you know what I do to survive."

"Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be, either. And you’re not stupid, Bobby. Stubborn, yes, because you won’t let anyone help you. Too damned stubborn to realize you could have a life off the streets if you’d just let go of the idea you’d lose your ‘freedom’ if you did."

"How do you know about that?"

"What? That you equate living the way you do with being free? It was just a guess but I gather I’m right, although I think it’s got more to do with not trusting anyone than it does with being free. You’re afraid if you do you’ll be trapped or betrayed."

Bobby shook his head. "I trust you, and Nance."

"Nance?"

"She’s this waitress at the diner I go to. She’s maybe the closest thing to a real mom I’ve…" Bobby scowled, realizing he was revealing something to Kurt he had kept carefully hidden from everyone. "She’s a nice lady who treats me good."

"Bobby…" Kurt’s voice was soft and full of concern, "what exactly did you mean about a ‘real mom’?"

"It’s none of your damned business. I shouldn’t have said that."

Kurt nodded. "No, it’s not my business. Your life, past and present, is your business. However sometimes talking to someone about it can help you see things more clearly."

"I see things very clearly." Bobby rubbed his arms as if he was cold, turning away from Kurt’s caring look. "I see the fact my bitch of a birth mother died from an overdose before I was seven leaving me with the bastard who had been her most recent boyfriend. He whored me out to his bar friends when I was eight so he could afford his drugs. Told me if I said a word to anyone he’d beat the shit out of me more than he already did. He liked to watch when they made me suck them off or lick their clits while he fucked whatever whore he’d brought home with him. Orgy time, every weekend. By the time I was eleven I knew what it was like to have a cock up my ass but I was too drunk most of the time to care. The only thing he didn’t do was make me take drugs. Said why waste them on a kid when alcohol worked just as well." Bobby turned to stare with tortured eyes at Kurt. "I see all that very clearly and I wish to hell I didn’t."

His smile was bitter as he finished his story. "When I was fourteen, on my birthday actually, the bastard decided to give me a ‘treat’ and let three creeps he’d met in a bar have me at the same time. When they walked in the door of the trailer, him with his arm around his latest whore, I knew what they had in mind ‘cause they were debating who got my ass first and who got my mouth. So…I got out of there. Out the window, out of the trailer park, out of the town where no one cared about me. Made it here and… Guess what I learned as a kid paid off ‘cause it’s how I survive now."

Safe Harbor - 18

Kurt was still seated in the community room, staring pensively at one of the darkened windows, when Bobby returned. He turned to smile at him. "It’s late. Are you going to bed down here for the night?"

Bobby shrugged, not looking at him. "Wasn’t planning on it."

"Why not? You can use one of the sofas if you don’t want to be in the boys’ dorm." 

"Staying here’s not such a good idea for me."

Kurt frowned. "Sleeping on the streets isn’t such a good idea either, especially now."

"Better than here," Bobby muttered under his breath.

"Okay, sit. Talk to me. Something’s going on with you and it has been for too long now. You never used to be so damned stubborn about staying here."

"I was a kid then." Bobby ran a hand through his hair, tempted to just leave and maybe not come back. Ever.

"So now you’re too old? I don’t think so." Frustration tinged Kurt’s voice.

"It’s not that. Damn it. You wouldn’t understand."

"Not to state the obvious, but how can I unless you tell me?"

Bobby paced across the room to the same window Kurt had been staring at. It made a halfway decent mirror in which to watch him. "You’re here." His words were low but he knew Kurt heard them from the look of surprise on his face.

Kurt’s expression turned to puzzlement. "I’m always here. I live here. And why should it matter anyway?"

"It just does." Bobby swung around to face him. "I…you make me…you just don’t get it. Fuck this! I’m out of here!"

He headed rapidly to the door only to find Kurt barring his way before he could get there. When he tried to move around him Kurt gripped his arm to stop him.

"Someone told me something recently." Kurt locked eyes with Bobby. "To be specific, he said you had ‘a thing’ for me."

"Yeah, like it would do me any good if I did." Bobby glared at Kurt defiantly. "You’re a priest."

Kurt smiled and nodded, not releasing his hold on him. "You noticed that did you?"

"Hard to miss since you wear that collar all the time."

"Comes with the territory but it doesn’t mean I’m not human."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

Safe Harbor - 17

Kurt wondered how much of what they thought they remembered was real and how much was predicated on their emotions, but he figured if they were even close it could help.

"Maybe…naw." Bobby went back to leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.

Kurt looked at him. "Maybe what?"

"The cops have sketch artists."

"Not going within a hundred miles of the cops, I told you that," Bets said tightly. The other girls nodded.

Kurt tapped his lips. "What if I could arrange for one of their artists to come here?"

Bets shook her head. "Same diff. Besides we’re not sticking around. You got what you wanted, deal with it." She jumped up, heading for the door.

Cry followed to stand beside her. "Jo-Jo?"

"I’m…I’ll stick around here. If he can get the artist here I want to describe the men to him and watch how he does it."

"It won’t be until tomorrow at the earliest," Kurt pointed out, "but you’re more than welcome to stay. We’re tight on beds but we’ll find you a place and a sleeping bag if it comes down to it. For all of you." He glanced at Bets and Cry.

"Not happening. We got our own place and we better get back. Our guy don’t like worrying." Bets didn’t wait for a reply, striding across the entryway to the front door. Cry hesitated then followed. Moments later they were gone, the door swinging shut behind them.

"I’m sorry," Jo-Jo said softly.

Bobby moved to where she sat, patting her shoulder. "There’s nothing to be sorry about. I think I’d have been surprised if they stayed, especially Bets. She made it real clear she didn’t like shelters."

"Do they have far to go?" Kurt wanted to know.

Jo-Jo shrugged. "A couple of miles, but they’ll be careful. We always are."

Bobby would have disagreed since they’d had a run-in with the two killers, but he didn’t want to frighten her. So he just nodded then offered to take her up to the girls’ dorm and find her the promised sleeping bag. 

Out today---'Framed for Murder'!

Framed for Murder

https://www.jms-books.com/romance-c-29_105/framed-for-murder-p-2695.html

 

GENRE: Gay Mystery Romance
LENGTH: 29,761 words

 

My name is Charlie English. I'm thirty-eight and homeless, so when a man offered me forty bucks to deliver a message and another forty when I had, I jumped at the chance. I shouldn't have. I walked into the house -- and a murder scene -- barely getting away before the cops arrived.

I needed to get out from under the frame, and knew a private detective who might be willing to help me. There’s one problem, though. He’s my ex-lover, which could make things dicey.

He’s less than happy to see me when I show up at his office ... until I tell him why I’m there. That piques his interest. Now it’s a case of finding out who the dead man was, who killed him, and proving it wasn't me. Can we succeed ... while dealing with our renewed interest in each other?

EXCERPT:

"You look good," I said, leaning against the doorjamb of Trent's office. "A bit older, but that's to be expected." He did look good. His hair was short and well styled, as were his beard and mustache. His face had a few more lines, but then whose doesn't as they move into middle-age.

Trent turned, surprise and dismay flashing across his face before he got his expression under control. "Can't say the same for you. You look like you've aged ten years."

I smiled dryly. "You always were someone who told it like it is."

"Why lie? I get enough of that from some of the people I'm involved with for work." He leaned back, looking at me. "To what do I owe the dubious honor of this visit after such a long time?"

"I need your help."

"From the look of you, I'd say that's a given. I'd suggest a good barber for starters, and clothes that don't look like you bought them at a used clothing store," he replied somewhat snidely.

"Yeah, well since that's where they came from ..." I took a deep breath. "I'm serious. I could be in bad trouble and I need you to help me get out of it."

I knew he wanted to tell me get lost but I'd piqued his interest. He beckoned for me to come in and take a seat.

"Okay, what's going on?" he said when I had.

"Short story, someone's trying to frame me for a murder."

"Will they succeed?" he asked with the briefest of smiles.

"They could."

"Explain."

I marshaled my thoughts, wondering where to begin. "As you obviously deduced, although you didn't say it, I'm homeless. I have been for the last couple of years."

"Damn, Charlie. Why didn't you let me know?" Trent replied. "I'd have, I don't know, leant you some money until you got back on your feet. How the hell did it happen?"

I gave him a brief rundown, starting with how I lost my job soon after we split up. By the time I finished he was shaking his head in disbelief.

"There have to be jobs out there you can do, even if it's flipping burgers."

I smiled wryly. "Tell that to the people who want to hire twenty-year-olds, not some guy who's pushing forty with only one job skill. Even plumbing companies seem to want guys who are younger, if they're hiring, which they weren't back when I went looking. Get 'em young, bring them up right."

"That's the only reason? I mean, you're not ..." For someone who didn't pull his punches, he didn't seem to be able to ask the obvious question.

I answered anyway. "I don't drink, I don't do drugs. You should know that."

"You didn't when we were together, but things can change, Charlie."

"They haven't, despite my circumstances." I chuckled. "I don't need the added expense when I barely make enough to buy food these days."

Trent nodded. "Why do you think you're being framed for a murder? And whose murder?"

"I don't know for certain, but his name might be Anderson." I went on to explain about the guy who'd hired me to deliver a message, followed by walking in on the dead body, and getting away just as the cops were pulling up to the house.

His first question, after he'd taken it all in, was, "Did you touch anything?"

"Yeah. The back door and one of the kitchen counters. They probably also have the sole print from my shoe in the blood, but I got rid of them so I think I'm safe as far as that goes."

"Near the house? They'll undoubtedly search all the trash bins in the area, figuring you'd do that."

"Nope. I didn't even realize there was blood on my shoe until I walked a long way from there. Then I dumped them in the trash by a bus stop."

"Good. Not so good about the fingerprints. They'll know you were at the house as soon as they run them through the IAFIS database."

 

Also available from:

Amazon - 

https://www.amazon.com/Framed-Murder-Edward-Kendrick-ebook/dp/B07NYQDFNF/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1MTFSQ4SB2C0V&keywords=framed+for+murder&qid=1552143900&s=digital-text&sprefix=framed+for+%2Caps%2C263&sr=1-3

 

          And Barnes and Noble -

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1130576342?ean=9781634868457

 

 

Safe Harbor - 16

"He’s a priest?" one of the girls whispered as Father Kurt came into the room a few minutes later. "Damn, he’s too gorgeous. What a waste."

Kurt overheard her and shook his head in amusement as he asked their names. When the introductions were complete he sat down across from the girls, who were seated together on one of the sofas.

"I suppose the main question is can you describe the two men." He had paper and a pen, ready to take notes.

"One of them was tall." Cry looked at Bobby then nodded. "Even taller than Prizm, but not as skinny."

"The other guy was shorter and had blonde hair and was," Jo-Jo paused as if picturing the man. "Sorta plump. He had a gut."

Kurt wrote down what they’d said. "What about their faces? Eyes, noses…"

"They had them." Bets smirked then sobered. "Sorry, I know this isn’t funny. The tall guy had black hair and looked like he needed a shave. His mouth was small and his nose sorta skinny."

This was when Kurt wished he could draw even a lick so he could come up with something they’d say yea or nay to.

Jo-Jo must have read something in his expression. "If you want," she said tentatively, holding out her hand. "I’m not great but I can draw."

Kurt quickly handed her the pad, keeping his notes. She looked at him and he realized she’d need a pencil, too, which he got from the desk in the corner of the room. "All right, keep on describing them. I’ll write it down while she does a sketch."

Cry nodded. "The shorter guy had a mustache and, uh, rough eyebrows."

"Bushy?"

"Yeah. His eyes were blue, sorta washed out."

"And the other dude’s eyes were brown," Bets added. "And evil."

"Evil how?"

"Small and squinty." She looked over at Jo-Jo’s sketch. "Yeah, like that but…beady?"

Jo-Jo shook her head. "Not sure I can do that right."

"Sure you can." Bobby leaned over the back of the sofa to look as well. "Smaller and thinner?" he asked Bets.

"Yeah." She watched as Jo-Jo made a change. "That’s it!"

Safe Harbor - 15

Bobby was halfway through his meal, to which Nance had added fries for free much to his surprise, when he felt someone tap his shoulder. He spun around to find one of the girls he’d spoken to that morning standing there.

She was shaking like a leaf as she said tremulously, "We saw them."

"Shit, where?"

"A couple of blocks from here.

"How did you find me?" He gulped down the last of his milk, folded the remains of his burger in a couple of napkins and got up, tossing money on the counter. "Show me where it happened."

"Bets spotted you heading this way. We was thinking of joining you when this car pulled up." She pushed the diner door open and stepped onto the sidewalk, Bobby right behind her. "That way." She started in the direction she’d pointed.

Up ahead he saw her two friends huddled together in the shadow of a doorway. He waited until they got to them before saying, "You’re sure it was the right men?"

All three nodded.

"It was a dark car like you said. It pulled up next to us and one man got out. He looked like a cop with the uniform and all." The girl shivered. "He said we were all under arrest for soliciting."

"Then his partner got out and came around so we ran like hell."

"Did they try to come after you? And by the way, I’m Prizm."

"Bets," the girl who’d just spoken replied. The dark-haired girl beside her introduced herself as Cry and the one who’d come to find him was Jo-Jo.

"Yeah," Cry glanced around as if the men might still be looking for them, "they started to chase us but we know how to hide."

"You got a good look at them though."

"Yeah but we ain’t going to the cops," Bets said defiantly.

"Not asking you to. But if you’re willing to come with me, I’ll take you somewhere safe where there’s a man you can talk to and tell him what they looked like."

Bets shook her head. "Told you I won’t go to no shelter."

"So don’t. Be stupid and stay out here while the rest of us go." The look Jo-Jo gave her said even more than her words.

"At least go back to the squat," Cry added before she turned to Bobby. "So which shelter?"

"The Harbor, and I think we need to get moving just in case." The area was empty now, just a few cars passing them on the street. Not the best place to be if the men came back looking for the girls.

After fifteen minutes, with Bets reluctantly trailing along behind the others, they reached the shelter. It was late and all the kids who were there were bunked down for the night. One of the counselors who knew Bobby was at the front desk and buzzed the door to let them in.

"Is Father Kurt around?"

"I think he finally headed to bed but I’ll track him down if it’s important."

"They," Bobby nodded at the girls, "may have seen the two bastards who killed Minnie."

Without replying the man made a call. "He’ll be down in a couple of minutes," he informed Bobby as he hung up.

"We’ll wait in the community room."

Safe Harbor - 14

Taking his own advice, Bobby refrained from hustling for the time being. Instead he spent most of the day and well into the night spanging. He had his favorite spots, ones where he knew he was most likely to get at least some change from people walking by, accompanied in most cases by looks, and sometimes actual words, which said ‘Get off your ass and get a job’.

"As if I could," he’d mutter under his breath in response. He had no illusions about the probability of that happening, especially these days when so many regular people were out of work. Besides, in its own way he figured he did have a job. It took time, patience and a feel for how to react to people to make any money this way.

Not much money, though. He sighed when he checked the results of his labors. But it’ll buy me a decent meal which is what’s important.

He’d just gotten up and was slinging his pack over his shoulder when he saw two cops heading his way. He tensed, ready to take off if they said or did anything out of the ordinary. He knew the routine, had for a long time. A normal cop would give him a warning about panhandling and tell him to move on, which is what this pair did. He nodded, knowing better than to say anything other than "Yes, sir."

When they were gone he heaved a sigh of relief. At the same time he almost wished they had been the two killers because he would have at least known what they looked like and could have passed the information on to someone.

Assuming I could have run fast enough to get away.

He admitted to himself there was always the possibility he couldn’t have, but for damned sure he would have given it his best shot. With that thought in mind he headed to his favorite diner.

Nance gave him the usual greeting when he sat down at the counter, handing him a menu.

He cocked an eyebrow at her. "You know I have this memorized."

She grinned. "You never know, we might have added something new since last time."

"As if. I’ll have a burger and milk."

"No fries?"

Bobby shook his head. "Not a good day today. I had to make my money the old fashioned way, by spanging."

"Why? Not that I approve of how you usually do it but…"

When he started to explain she stopped him. "I heard about it. Damn. I guess I didn’t put two and two together. You be real careful out there, Prizm. I don’t want to hear about their finding your body in some pool of water."

"So not happening. I’m not as dumb as I look." He grinned at her, getting a shake of her head in return before she went to place his order.

Safe Harbor - 13

"Another body was found in a pond, just like the others."

Kurt sighed deeply at Daniel’s words. "Male or female?"

"Male. The presumption is it’s your kid Scooter, but we need someone to ID it."

"Meaning me." His hand tightened on the phone. "Do you want me to meet you at the morgue?" When Daniel indicated he did Kurt told him he’d be there in twenty minutes.

Daniel met him at the morgue entrance, taking him down to the viewing room. Although he had been to the morgue before Kurt was still surprised by the fact it smelled no worse than the average hospital or nursing home. He shivered a bit though from the chill, and kicked himself for not remembering to bring a light jacket. When they got to the viewing room an attendant on the other side of the window brought out the body.

Kurt’s breath hissed in between his teeth, shocked at the damage he saw to the face, although it wasn’t enough to totally obliterate who he was. "That’s Scooter. Is the rest of him..?"

"Just as bad. Someone had themselves a field day beating and torturing him."

"Dear God. I hope he was unconscious long before they finished."

"Me too, although somehow I doubt it."

With Kurt having identified Scooter, although he didn’t know his real name, Daniel said they could leave. Kurt held up a hand, stepping up to the window, knowing it was as close as he could get to the young man now. Bowing his head he said a prayer of thanksgiving for Scooter’s life, then with a softly murmured ‘Amen’ he rejoined Daniel.

Once they were back outside the building Kurt took a deep breath. "Find the bastards who did that to him, Daniel."

"We will. I just hope we can before another kid has to go through what he did, because unfortunately, these men seem to be getting more vicious with each murder."

"I’ve talked to the kids who were at the shelter and they’re going to warn anyone they run into. Of course whether they actually listen is another question."

"The problem is, even if they do and then these men try to approach one of them, what will they do? Somehow I don’t see a street kid stopping a real police officer to tell him what happened."

Kurt nodded. "You never know but at least they won’t become the next victim."

"If we just had a description, even a partial one…"

"I know. Believe me I’ll keep my ears open in case any of the kids do have a run-in with the men. They’re more likely to tell me or someone at another shelter. Speaking of which, I have let the people at the other shelters know as well." Kurt smiled a bit. "You have a large network watching for the bastards, so with any luck at all you’ll get your descriptions."