Page 28 of More Than a Hero (Baytown Heroes #12)
Pete and Jeremy stepped into the middle school. The front desk secretary barely glanced up before motioning them toward the principal’s office, her expression a mix of curiosity and suspicion—cops in schools were never a good sign.
Mr. Morrison, a solidly built man in his late fifties with thinning hair and a tie that looked like it had been yanked loose too many times, stood as they entered. “Detectives.” His handshake was firm but quick. “What can I do for you?”
“We appreciate you seeing us on such short notice,” Jeremy said, as he and Pete settled into the chairs.
“It’s not a problem,” Mr. Morrison replied. “Is there an issue?”
Pete nodded. “We need to talk to five of your students. I could have caught them at home, but they all live in the same apartment complex, and we’d rather not be seen talking to them in uniform.”
Jeremy added, “They’re not in trouble or anything. We just want to make sure they stay safe. We know for a fact that at least one Bloods gang member is hanging around the complex.”
Mr. Morrison’s expression darkened. “That’s concerning.” He folded his hands on the desk, nodding. “We can call them out of class?—”
“Is there a way to do it discreetly?” Pete interrupted. “The last thing we need is them being labeled as snitches.”
The principal considered that, then reached for his phone. “Yeah, I think we can handle that.” He pressed a button and waited. “Ms. Lipton? Can you come to my office, please?”
A moment later, the door opened, and a tall woman with sharp eyes and an easy smile walked in. Ms. Lipton, the director of counseling, radiated the kind of warmth that made kids feel safe, something Pete immediately appreciated.
Mr. Morrison turned to her. “The detectives need to speak with a few students, but we don’t want to pull them in a way that makes it look like they’re in trouble.”
Ms. Lipton’s brow lifted slightly, but she nodded without hesitation. “I’ll take care of it. I’ll say I need to check in with them about their grades or an upcoming school event. I’ll have them meet you in the conference room.”
Pete exhaled, grateful. “Perfect.”
Ten minutes later, the door to the conference room swung open, and five middle school boys shuffled in. Their expressions ranged from wary to downright anxious, their sneakers scuffing the tile floor as they took in Pete and Jeremy.
“What’s going on?” Tony asked, his voice cracking slightly.
“Why are you here?” Caleb muttered, glancing to the side.
“All of us at once? That’s gotta be bad,” Jimmy added, shoving his hands in his hoodie pocket.
Pete held up his hands in a calming gesture. “Relax. No one’s in trouble.” He gestured to Jeremy. “This is Detective Pickett. He’s with me on this.”
Jeremy nodded, his expression easygoing. “We just need to talk. Take a seat.”
Reluctantly, the boys sat, their gazes darting between one another. Pete leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly. “Here’s the deal. I’m only talking to you oldest ones for now. We just found out a Pennsylvania Bloods gang member has been hanging around your apartment building.”
A collective silence fell over the group. Wide eyes. Shoulders stiffening. A few exchanged glances, the weight of what Pete said settling in.
“Are you serious?” Jalen asked, brows furrowing.
“No way,” David muttered.
“I need you guys to be smart,” Pete continued. “Stay away from anyone suspicious. Don’t get involved. Keep yourselves safe.”
Tony hesitated, then spoke up. “Does this have anything to do with that car chase and arrest yesterday? Everyone’s been talking about it.”
Pete nodded. “Yeah, it does. That gang member picked someone up from your complex, said they were going to grab some food. Next thing you know, it turned into a high-speed chase, a crash, and a major drug bust.”
“Damn,” the boys muttered in unison.
David crossed his arms. “Someone said it was Robert.”
Pete’s gaze sharpened. “Is Robert someone you hang out with?”
Tony and David immediately shook their heads.
“I don’t,” Jalen said. “He’s older.”
“I live at the far end of the complex,” Jimmy added. “I never see him. But I think his brother and sister ride the elementary bus.”
Caleb nudged Tony. “His apartment isn’t far from ours. You see him sometimes, right?”
Tony shrugged, looking uncomfortable. “Yeah, but I never saw him with anyone I thought was a gang member.”
Jalen let out a low whistle. “They teach us about the signs in school. The tats, the colors. My mama would beat my ass if she even thought I was talking to someone in a gang.”
Caleb nodded. “Honestly, Mr. Pete, I go home, help my mom with dinner, Kyron and I do our homework, then we go to bed. Sometimes I hang out, but it’s with kids I know. The ones I trust.”
Pete gave him an approving nod. “Smart.”
Jeremy leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “That’s exactly what you should do. Keep your friends close. Know who’s worth trusting.”
Jimmy hesitated, licking his bottom lip before finally asking, “You want us to watch out for you? Let you know if we see something?”
Pete’s expression hardened instantly. “Absolutely not.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
“Listen to me, all of you. These gangs? They’re dangerous.
The man we arrested yesterday? Bloods. That’s serious.
If someone threatens you, I want to know.
If you see something that doesn’t sit right, get somewhere safe, then call me.
But don’t go looking for trouble. Don’t ask questions. That’s how people get hurt.”
He held each boy’s gaze, one by one, making sure they understood. “Say it back to me.”
All five echoed at once. “I get it.”
Pete exhaled. “Good. Now, I’ll see you guys later. And have a good time with the grandparents later this week.”
Jeremy stood, heading to the door. Ms. Lipton was already there, waiting. She handed each boy a pass and shot Pete and Jeremy a reassuring smile. “Thank you, Detectives.”
As they walked out of the school and back to their cruiser, Pete glanced at Jeremy. “I’m following up with the detectives in Philly. I want to know what the hell Lashawn is doing down here. Running drugs through our area is one thing, but recruiting? That’s a whole different problem.”
Jeremy nodded grimly. “We already have Bloods here. We don’t need them expanding.”
Pete agreed, but as they drove off, he wondered if that was possible.