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Zhan’s was packed when they arrived,and by the time Eric and Dion made it home with their to-go order, it was getting late.

Eric dropped the pizza boxes on the table and retrieved plates from the cabinet. The cashier at Zhan’s had given them disposable ones, but he preferred real dishes. Even if it did require washing them afterward. He handed one to Dion. “Help yourself.” While the teen filled his plate, Eric moved to the refrigerator and grabbed cans of Coke for both of them. “Sorry I can’t offer you a variety. It’s this or water.”

“Coke’s fine.” Dion looked like he was barely restraining himself from digging into the food on his plate.

“Go ahead and eat.”

That was all the permission the teen needed. By the time Eric served himself, Dion’s first slice of pizza had vanished, and he was quickly working his way through a second. Eric pretended not to notice. He’d ordered more than enough for the both of them.

Once Dion’s pace began to slow, Eric folded his arms on the table. “We need to talk man to man.”

Wariness immediately rose in the boy’s eyes. “What about?”

“Your mom. I need to know where she got her drugs. You have any idea who her dealer was?”

He looked away. “What’s it matter now? She’s dead.”

“It does matter. Someone is responsible for her death. And if we can stop the dealers, we can prevent more people from dying.”

Dion shrugged and slowly ripped a piece off a napkin. “Soon’s you stop one, another pops up. Druggies always find a way to get their fix. Mom always did.”

“Doesn’t mean we ignore justice or stop doing our best to stop it.” He waited but got no response. “You didn’t answer my question though. Do you know who her dealer was?”

“No clue.”

“Do you do drugs?”

Dion’s gaze shot back to his. “No!”

That struck a nerve. Eric tried to appear nonthreatening. “No offense meant. I’m not accusing you or trying to trap you. Just asking.”

“Answer’s still no. I saw what they did to Mom. I’m not that stupid.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Lot of people follow their parents’ examples whether they’re making smart decisions or not.”

Dion relaxed ever so slightly at the affirmation, but he continued tearing the napkin, filling his plate with wispy shreds.

“So if you don’t know her dealer, do you know the names of any friends she might have gotten drugs from? Or who might have an idea where she got them?”

“I stayed as far away from her friends as I could.”

“She ever mention their names?”

“First names is all I know. Sarah. Amber. Might have been a David.”

“Okay, that helps. Any others?”

“Dunno. Like I said, we just tried to stay outta their way.”

“You and Lucky?”

“Yeah.” He glanced up from the destroyed napkin, true concern in his eyes. “He doing okay?”

“Yes. I saw him Friday night. He’s being taken care of. I think he misses you though.”

“I’m all he’s got.”

Eric already knew that, but hearing it from Dion felt like a gut punch. He let a few seconds pass before redirecting the conversation. “Another question for you. How’d you know about your mom? Her name hasn’t been released to the news yet.”