“When he started school, things changed.” She sighed heavily. It was clear that whatever happened to that kid was tragic. “He started getting in fights, and then he’d go home and…well, you’d think his father would care. But honestly, he never did a damn thing. That boy has been on his own since the day he was born. Just running wild.”
“What about now?” I asked, chewing on my lip.
“Stuck in jail. His father said he was tired of bailing him out. Without someone to release him to, he’s just sitting there. Well, until he gets transferred to juvie.”
“Seriously? They’re going to transfer him to a detention center?”
“There’s nothing else to do,” she shrugged. “That kid has been in so much trouble, and his parents won’t take responsibility for him.”
“I don’t understand how that’s possible. They’re responsible in every way!”
“Yes, but because of the amount of trouble he’s been in…I’m afraid no judge will release him after what happened last night.”
“That’s insane,” I muttered to myself. “There has to be a way to help him.”
“Sadly, with his parents, that kid is probably going to end up in prison. That’s the way the world works. Like it or not.”
Like it or not.
Was that really what happened in a small town like this? Did everyone just give up on this kid because he caused trouble? He’d stolen my purse and I’dcaught him trying to squat in someone’s home, but he was just a kid. That didn’t mean he was beyond redemption. Wasn’t anyone going to turn things around for him?
“I want to see him.”
Chuckling, she gathered a pile of papers and slammed them through the stapler. “I’m afraid not. Family only.”
“Seriously? But…I’m Parker’s wife, and he works here. Surely, there’s a way around this.”
Eyeing me carefully, I knew whatever she was about to say would only be a hassle. “You know, the boys in this station just love a good pie.”
“Pie,” I repeated.
“Hmm,” she nodded. “All kinds of pies. Why, the last time someone brought in pie, they were all so distracted, they nearly missed a call. Not that it was important. Just another neighborly dispute, but you should have seen the way those boys went after that pie.”
It was ridiculous. Absolutely insane. I was going to have to bribe everyone in the station with pie, and all so I could have a few minutes alone with this kid.
“Thanks for the file, Bea.”
“Oh, any time.” Her eyes flicked to the clock, and then she shot me a pointed look.
“Yeah, I get it,” I grumbled as I walked out the door.
Pie. That’s what it came down to in this town. Live and die by pie.
Getting in my car, I headed down Winding Road to Main Street, creeping along at a snail’s pace as I checked out every store, looking for the damn bakery. There was a candy store, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, a coffee shop, and even a Gentleman’s store. But was there a bakery? Not a single one.
Which left me with the diner. I had to hope and pray they had pies, otherwise, my choice was to drive to the nearest town, which I was pretty sure was over forty minutes away.
Parking in front of the diner, I was relieved when I walked through the front door and saw a case filled with pies. “Thank God.”
“Morning, darlin’. What can I get for you?”
Glancing at her name tag, I smiled brightly. Cora. “Good morning, Cora. I need pies. Lots and lots of pies.”
“Oh, dear. May I ask for what?”
“To distract everyone at the sheriff’s office so I can sneak in back and talk to a prisoner.”
Her brows pinched thoughtfully, and for a moment, I thought I was sunk. “Well, you’re going to need a French Silk pie for Remi. Nothing else will distract him quite as much. Maverick will need a cherry pie.”
