“No doubt,” I said.
“Ask them to point them out to you, Wes,” Captain Sorensen said in the earwig.
“It would be nice if you could point them out,” I said. “I’d like to avoid them.”
“Like I said, too many to point out,” Cleeves reiterated. “And I’d try and stay away from the crazies too. Tons of those kinds here.” He exchanged a glance with his friend before looking back with a wide grin. “One guy walks around muttering to himself about Rapunzel, so pretty all the time.” Both men laughed and I assumed it had to be an inside joke of some kind.
Patsy nudged me again and I looked over. He canted his head, telling me it was time to move on. I nodded and glanced back at the two. “Well, thanks for talking to me, fellas. Keep an eye out for those troublemakers.”
Cleeves smiled again, sticking out his hand. “See you around, Wes.” I shook his hand and we turned, walking away from the fire. When we were out of earshot, I glanced at Patsy. “I’m so sorry. That wasn’t helpful at all.”
“Don’t worry,” Patsy said, smiling at me. His blue eyes were gorgeous, glittering like a million stars in the moonlight.
“You did fine, Wes,” Napoleon said in the earwig. “It looks quiet around here. I doubt we’re gonna be successful in getting anyone else to open up to us tonight.”
“Agreed, Smith,” the captain said. “You did good, Mr. Chaudry. We’ll try again tomorrow.”
I glanced at Patsy, and he nodded. “We’re goin’ to sign off, Candy. Napoleon’s right. These people aren’t feelin’ chatty and there’s hardly anyone about.”
“Get some rest, guys.”
“Thanks,” Patsy said. He reached up and touched a hand to his ear, and I realized he’d muted his earwig, so I did the same. We pocketed them as we kept walking back toward the tent.
I glanced down at him as we meandered down the street. It was still early enough to get into mischief if we wanted to, but I knew that wouldn’t happen, at least until we’d finished with this mess. There was also the matter of figuring out who those men who’d chased me out onto the roof were, and the niggling suspicion that my missing driver’s license had something to do with all this. In the short period of time since I’d met Patsy, those events seemed far away now that this new adventure had begun.
As we neared the tent, I felt the call of Mother Nature and almost cringed at the knowledge I’d be forced to use one of the dreaded portable toilets before settling down for the night. “I need to make a detour,” I told Patsy, nodding to the line of Andy Gumps, then noticed the way he visibly shuddered.
“Yeah, sorry to say it, but I do too,” he said. “Well, best we do it now, before we turn in.”
We veered off, stepping onto the crushed grass from the main, muddy path, and walked in between two tents before being hit by the smell. I’d never known the scent of an opensewer until I’d spent time out on the streets, and never so bad as when I’d spent time at the other encampment. The scent of unwashed masses paled in comparison to the places where they were expected to relieve themselves.
I took a deep breath and stepped through the first door I came to, hearing it bang close behind me as I scrambled to undo my pants. I held my breath, practically turning blue before I was done and then made my exit just as quickly, grateful it was dark and cold, and not sunny and hot which always made it worse. Patsy was already waiting outside the one beside mine, probably feeling the pull to get away from them as fast as I was. We walked side by side toward our tent, taking in deep gulps of fresh air as we approached the narrow path between the tents to get to ours.
The second we stepped into the road, I noticed a short man lingering near our tent. I felt Patsy stiffen beside me. The man had his back to us, but he appeared to be looking at the front zipper of the tent. He must have heard us coming across the road because he seemed to startle at some noise then looked over his shoulder. His eyes grew so wide in the dark, I could see the whites of them. He blinked fast and then turned, scurrying quickly away as he disappeared back into the depths of the camp between tents and cardboard hovels.
“That was weird,” I remarked as we walked up to the tent. Patsy held out a hand as I stooped to grab the zipper pull.
“Wait!” he said, sharply.
I began to straighten as he abruptly squatted down to look at something. On the outside of the tent, near the entrance, was a small object I recognized immediately. I bent to grab it, but Patsy put his arm out to stop me. “That’s my mother’s Bible,” Isaid. “What’s it doing out here? It was in my backpack. I had it in the front pocket.”
“Someone took it out of yer bag, Wes. It’s best I collect it with gloves.” He inserted his earwigs as he stared into my eyes, urging me to obey him as I pulled out my own set and inserted them. I nodded as he began to speak. “Candy? Come in.”
“Roger, Patsy. What’s up?”
“Candy, someone’s been in the tent. It isn’t fully zipped and a Bible that Wes had in his bag is outside the tent on the ground. I’ll be needin’ some gloves to collect it but they’re in my pack inside. A man was loiterin’ outside when we got here.”
“Okay. Enter with caution, Patsy, and collect it with gloves. If someone left fingerprints, we’ll have them.”
“Roger.” Patsy reached up and muted the earwig, still looking at me. “Ya heard that?”
“Yes,” I said, muting my own com. “Do you think someone stole our things?”
“No, luv, but I’m not waitin’ to find out.” He stooped to open the zipper, but I stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “What is it?”
“I love you, Patsy,” I blurted.
His expression softened as he lifted a hand to cup my cheek. A tiny smile curled his mouth. “And I love ya too, Wes.”
