“So you’re saying you didn’t tell them about the lack of security system?” Moore asked.
“No, Idid, but I didn’t do it on purpose.” Izzy rubbed his free hand over his face. Mrs. Rossi hadn’t let go of his wrist yet. “They were talking shit about Justin and Del, really homophobic stuff, and they like goaded me, you know? Talking about these dumb rich people who didn’t even have any security alarms.”
Office Moore’s partner nodded. “Chase actually said that you hadn’t warned them about the dogs.”
“No, I didn’t warn them about the dogs!” Izzy knew his voice was getting louder and higher, his breathing becoming worse and worse. “I mean, I wouldn’t have anyway because those guys are assholes, but I didn’t know they were planning on breaking in! If I’d known that I would have told the Abbots.”
“Izzy did nothing wrong,” Mrs. Rossi said suddenly, squeezing his wrist to keep him grounded as much as she could. “This is a misunderstanding. It’s a bunch of guys talking shit, not a conspiracy.”
“He brought weed to my property,” Justin said mulishly.
“Izzy, what happened there?” she asked gently.
“I couldn’t sleep. Then I woke up to a panic attack, like I do sometimes when I have nightmares. I remembered that I had maybe two joints’ worth in my tin and made one. I smoked it because it’s the only thing that calms me down. I don’t—I mean I never smoke for fun. I don’t even like the smell, but it’s…”
“But it’s the thing you had on hand?”
“Yeah,” Izzy breathed out the word.
Suddenly Wyatt walked in through the doorway, and Izzy knew he’d been listening. Wyatt walked to sit in the chair between Izzy and Del, and hugged Izzy’s arm as he pressed close.
“Wyatt—” Justin started, but Del lifted a hand to stop him.
“Is there anything more you need from Izzy, Officers?” Del asked.
“No, I think it’s pretty straightforward from now on. They were trying to put the blame on Mr. Kostas, because that’s what guys like Chase and Morales do. Right now they’re trying to throw each other under the bus, but the way I see it, they’re both going back to prison for this. They were on parole.”
“Indeed,” Mrs. Rossi said cheerily. “Neither of them was one of mine, but I’ve talked to my colleague who oversees their cases, and well, what Officer Moore here said.”
“All right, and you have Izzy’s number if you need him further, right?” Del asked, getting a nod from Moore.
“Thank you for calling us here to explain,” Moore said when he got to his feet.
It took Izzy a moment to figure out he was being talked to, but then he nodded dumbly. “Yeah, of course.”
Moore chuckled. “Don’t sell yourself short now. It’s pretty rare anyone with a history like yours comes forward and tells the truth willingly. Usually we have to chase down people even if they’re innocent, because they don’t trust us any more than we trust people like Chase and Morales. You, on the other hand, I think you’re on the right path.”
“Th-thanks,” Izzy stuttered.
Wyatt’s touch was the only thing that kept him calm and breathing right then.
Wyatt started to give him instructions on breathing, and Izzy closed his eyes and tried to follow along.
The cops left, but Mrs. Rossi lingered with the Abbots. By the time Izzy felt his heartbeat calm down again and opened his eyes, Del and Justin were quietly arguing something at their end of the table.
“Feeling better?” Wyatt whispered, and Justin looked at him.
“Yeah, thank you.” Then because it all came back to him, he said, “I’m sorry, Wyatt. I really am. I didn’t mean to—”
“I know. It was…it wasn’t good, but I’ve talked to my dad now and things are better.” Wyatt smiled at him this heartbreaking, wobbly smile, and Izzy felt like he could truly breathe for the first time since last night.
“Oh, thank God.” He leaned forward until his forehead was touching the table and just breathed through the relief trying to overwhelm him. After a moment, he leaned back again. “If I’d fucked up things between you and your family…Wyatt…”
“You didn’t. I forgive you.”
Izzy felt the relief swaying him, as if he got lightheaded suddenly. He smiled at Wyatt, who smiled back at him, and then Del cleared his throat behind Wyatt.
Right. They weren’t alone and safe. Maybe there were now less people in the firing squad, but Izzy hadn’t stepped away safely yet. He squeezed Wyatt’s fingers apologetically, then forced himself to look at Del and Justin.
He knew Mrs. Rossi would be on his side and that Wyatt was an adult. But this was still Justin and Del’s family and Justin’s business.
“I’m sorry,” Izzy said, the words bursting out of his mouth. “I’ll still leave. You don’t…you don’t want to employ anyone as stupid as me anyway. You wouldn’t have if you knew. I guess…I guess I hide it well? I’m no good and I’m dangerous and I can’t do that to your family. Nobody should bring anything bad to this family and I don’t—” He let go of Wyatt’s hand and got up clumsily. “I’m sorry Wy, I love you, but I won’t put you into danger. I gotta leave.”
