"What does he like to do? Where did he hang out before going to prison?"
"He likes to drink. Fight. Beat people up. Throw shit. As for where he hangs out? Bars and casinos."
The cop nods. "Casinos have cameras everywhere. You think he'd risk going there?"
"He needs money, so yeah. He'd just put on a hat and try to hide from the cameras. If you really want to know about my dad, go to his old bar. All his friends are there, the ones who aren't locked up. There's an old guy there. His name is Larry. He sits at the end of the bar by the pool table. Not sure he'll tell you anything but he knows my dad better than I do. Larry used to go to the prison to see him."
The cop gets his notepad out. "The name of the bar?"
I give it to him, along with Larry's name and the names of some other friends of my dad's that I know hang out there.
"This has been helpful," the cop says. "You mind if I come back if I have more questions?"
I agree to it but I don't know what else I could tell him. My dad could be anywhere. The cops should be out searching every fucking street and highway for him instead of here talking to me.
The officer leaves and I glance around at all the shit I'm hooked up to. I need to get it off me and get out of here. Fuck the cops. I'll hunt down the bastard myself.
The nurse appears. "The doctor has given the approval to move you to a regular room. They'll be coming to get you within the hour."
"Yeah, okay," I say, wanting her to leave. I need to be alone to think.
Where would my dad go? He had to have left the state but where would he end up? Would he hide out in the woods or go to a big city? A big city gives him places to rob but there's a chance he could be seen. The cop said they have alerts out in all the surrounding states, and that my dad's photo and Jake's have been plastered all over the news. I feel a little better knowing the story's getting this much attention but that'll go away the more time goes on.
They have to find him. Or I do. I really need to get out of here.
An hour later I'm taken up a floor to my new room. A nurse shows up and rattles off how things work up here, like visiting hours, and whatever else. I'm not really listening. My head is on Jake and how I find him.
"If you need anything," the nurse says, "just press the button."
"Yeah, got it."
There's a knock on the door. She goes over and opens it.
"I'm here to see Dean."
It kind of sounds like Brook.
"Brook?" I say as loud as I can. It's not very loud. My voice still isn't back.
"Dean!" She races into the room. "Finally! They wouldn't let me see you."
"Come here." I reach out to her.
"I can hug you?" she asks, tears in her eyes.
"Get over here." I motion her towards me.
She leans down, her arms going around me but without any pressure. "I'm afraid I'll hurt you."
"I'm already hurt." I pull her closer. "God, I missed you."
"I missed you too," she says, sniffling. "I was so worried. I didn't know how to help you and then they wouldn't let me see you."
"I know. And I know what's been going on."
She pulls back. "What do you mean?"
"With Jake."
