She just nods as she types something in the computer.
Danny and I leave and hurry out to his truck.
"What if it really was his dad?" I say, staring out at the dark gray sky. It matches how I'm feeling, like a dark cloud blanketed over all the happiness I felt just hours ago. "Dean was worried his dad would show up at the house. What if he did?"
"It's possible. I just don't know why he'd do that. Why would he go there to beat up Dean? It's not like Dean has any money."
"But he has Jake."
"Yeah? So?"
"Maybe his dad wants Jake."
"Why? He can't raise him in prison. And Jake wasn't even home when this happened."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Call the cop," Danny says. "See if they found out anything."
I yank the officer's card from my pocket and call the number.
"This is Officer Simmons," he says.
"Hi, this is Brook Turner, the girl you met this morning at Dean Sander's house."
"Yes, I was hoping you'd call. Would you be able to come into the station?"
"Me? Why?"
"I'd like to speak with you about Joe Sanders and his relationship with his son. We'll be speaking with Dean as well but since he's unable to be questioned at this time, we'd like to speak with those closest to him, including the young man you were with this morning."
"I don't understand. Why do you need to talk to us?"
"Joe Sanders' employer has informed us he's not at work. He showed up this morning but somehow left without anyone noticing. They were unaware he was gone until we called just now to check on him. We're currently trying to locate him, but as of now we don't have any leads. We'd like to talk with anyone who might know where he—"
"Wait—you're saying Dean's dad wasn't at work this morning?" I clutch my stomach as that sick feeling returns.
"He was there but he left. We don't know when or how. We're assuming he had a friend who arranged to pick him up or get him a vehicle."
It had to be him. Dean's dad had to be the one who attacked him. Who else would it be?
Dean was right all along. When he said his dad would go to the house, I didn't believe him. It didn't make sense for him to risk having his prison sentence extended when he only had three years to go. But Dean was right. His dad didn't care about following the rules. He used the work release as his chance to escape. But why did he go to the house? Why did he attack Dean? What did he want?
Chapter Three
Brook
"How is that possible?" I ask the cop. "How did he leave work without anyone noticing? Don't they monitor prisoners?"
"Unfortunately, there are ways around that. Do you have any idea where Mr. Sanders might have gone?"
"To Dean's house!" I yell, my anger taking over. "He did this to Dean! I swear to you, it was him. It had to be."
"Put him on speaker," Danny says as we wait at a stoplight.
"Officer Simmons," I say. "I'm with my friend, Danny, right now. He wants to talk to you. I'm putting you on speaker."
"Hey," Danny says. "I've been friends with Dean forever. I know his dad, and Brook is right. If Joe took off, there's a good chance he'd go to the house."
