Stick stepped toward us. “This is the first job he’s done for me in forever. He’s really given it all up. He told me he told you the whole story. I just want you to know he wasn’t lying to you. This was a one-time thing and it all just came together tonight.”
I gave a skeptical look while Jane snorted.
“No. Seriously. He was doing me a solid. And you know he needed the money for all the legal stuff they’re trying to do for Andy, and to pay for his mom’s extended rehab stay.”
No, I hadn’t known that part. Not about him hurting for money. Not that I could have done anything to help on that front. I think Grayson and Susan might have had a few choice words if I came to them asking for money for my boyfriend’s mother’s rehab costs.
But I would have done it if it would’ve kept Lucas from resorting to going back to that life.
“It was a favor to me. All the cards fell into place for tonight and I needed his help. He did it for me.”
“And the money,” Jane added.
“Yeah, that too.”
“So, okay, you’ve told her. Time to take your Grand Theft Auto ass back to your side of town and leave us Bribury Basics the hell alone. We may all be lemmings, but we sure as shit aren’t car thieves.”
“Wait,” I said. “What did you mean you need my help with Andy?”
He looked around the room, and I knew he was thinking of a way to spin whatever it was he planned to say. “I think I can have it all taken care of by Monday so that nothing shows up on his record. But I need you to stay with Andy tomorrow and into Monday while I make that happen. Mrs. Jankowski’s not up to being with Andy all day when he’s awake. And Andy knows and likes you. It won’t freak him out to have you staying with him.”
“What are you going to be doing?” I had visions of Stick, like, I don’t know, killing a witness or something on Lucas’s behalf. Probably a bit too harsh, but what did I know?
“I’m…I’m going to turn myself in. Trade myself for Lucas.”
“Can you even do that?” Jane asked.
Stick shrugged. “The DA can make that call. And let’s just say he’s been jonesing for me for a long time.”
“If he’s aware of you, why aren’t you in jail too?”
“He’s never caught me in the act, or with stolen goods.”
“Yeah, because you get others to do it,” Jane said.
“I take as many risks as anyone who…works for me. More.” He shook his head, sighed. “Listen, we don’t need to get into it all.” He looked at me. “Are you willing to stay with Andy while I make a deal with the DA? It could take a few days, and Lucas might not be released until it’s all hashed out.”
“So, you just take his place? Like it was you who stole the car? Who’s going to buy that?”
“No, it’s not like that. I have…information…names that the DA has been after for a long time. I give him some…locations where he might find some more cars, take the rap for the attempt to steal the Jag. Do some time, but not too long. And Lucas is home with Andy, no smears on his record to throw CPS on his trail.”
“So, you’re a bigger fish in all this than Lucas,” Jane said, like she needed clarification.
I honestly didn’t give a shit. I just wanted to get my stuff and get to Lucas’s apartment. I couldn’t stand the thought of him in jail, and I wanted to be closer to him. I also wanted to be there for Andy.
“Just let me pack a few things,” I said. I started to rise, but Jane’s firm hand pushed me back into the chair.
“Hang on, let’s just think about this for a second.”
“What’s to think about?” Stick said to Jane.
“You may not be the only person in this room who can make a deal.”
Stick looked from Jane to me, then back to Jane. “Do you know who Lily’s father is?” Jane asked.
A tiny glimmer of hope flickered within me. And then it was quickly extinguished when I thought of what I would have to do.
“Who’s your father?” Stick asked me suspiciously.
