“Hey kid!” Luca slowed his car alongside the boy walking his bike along the sidewalk. DeVaughn Washington, the kid he’d saved from the speeding car. “I’m glad I ran into you.” Luca had finished his shift and on impulse bought a box of doughnuts and swung by DeVaughn’s street to drop them off and introduce himself to his parents. Maybe if he couldn’t help Mandy, he could help a kid who needed someone to look out for him.
“I didn’t do nothin’ wrong, I swear.” The boy looked alarmed as he stopped.
“It’s okay, DeVaughn. I just wanted to ask you something.”
The boy nodded, and Luca got out of the car, grabbing the box of doughnuts.
“Where were you heading with your bike?”
“To the gas station to pump air into my tires. I think one of my wheels got something sharp stuck in it.”
“Let me take a look.” Luca hunkered down and spun the front wheel. Sure enough, he found a small nail embedded in the wheel. Pulling it out, he held it up to DeVaughn. “Here’s your culprit.”
“Aww man. I have to try to patch it up now.” DeVaughn heaved a sigh.
“I’ll help you fix it.”
DeVaughn’s face lit up. “Really? Thanks. You’re pretty cool for a cop.”
Luca laughed. “Why don’t we go back to your place so I can meet your family, then I’ll take you to get your bike fixed. I know a great mechanic.”
“I don’t have any money for a mechanic.” DeVaughn looked deflated.
“It’s okay. It’s on me. You can do me a favor.”
“Like what?”
Luca almost laughed at the suspicious look that flashed in DeVaughn’s eyes.
“Take me to meet your family. I just want them to know where we’re going.”
“That’s the favor?”
“Yup.”
“Okay. But does it include those doughnuts?”
“Yup.”
“Deal.”
DeVaughn and Luca walked back up the street to a small row house. DeVaughn took a key out of his pocket and unlocked the door, bringing his bike inside. He leaned it against the wall in the tiny entryway. “Mama, someone wants to meet you and Grandpa.”
A woman stepped out of the kitchen, just off the entry, wiping her hands on a tea towel. “What happened?” The tiny, stout woman wore the same alarmed expression the boy had when he saw Luca.
“Nothing happened, Mama. This is Luca. He’s okay.”
“DeVaughn is right, ma’am. I’m Officer Luca Fierro, and your neighborhood is part of my beat. I’m just getting to know some of the residents in the area. Just finished my first week on the job.” He flashed her his trademark grin, which of course had the desired effect on the woman, who automatically smiled back.
“I’m such a mess. Just cleaning up in the kitchen.”
The sound of a toilet flushing followed by a hacking cough greeted them. A man, who looked considerably older than DeVaughn’s mother, shuffled down the stairs, holding onto the wall for support. Luca noted the lack of a bannister. Homes here weren’t always up to code.
“Why are the police here?” He held up his hands.
“Abe, it’s okay.”
Luca reached out his hand and introduced himself to the old man, who reluctantly shook it.
