Page 40 of More Than a Hero (Baytown Heroes #12)

Robert huffed out a breath, his jaw tightening before he nodded.

“Yeah. Some of the older kids tried to act like I was either a badass or a dumbass. Sure wasn’t the first, but I was the second.

” He heaved a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I gotta make better choices. Can’t keep doing dumb shit and expect things to change. ”

Jimmy pushed up from the steps. “Tomorrow, I’ll go back to check on Mr. Marty.”

“We can go with you,” Darius offered.

Robert shifted, hesitating.

“You can come with us,” Jimmy said, his invitation quiet but confident.

Robert studied him for a beat, then narrowed his eyes slightly. “You all are part of that group the detective has going, right?”

“Yeah,” Jimmy said, “but it’s more than that.”

Robert tilted his head, about to ask for clarification, when the sudden sound of running feet had them all turning.

Mike, Kyron, and Curly came barreling up the breezeway, their energy a sharp contrast to the weight of the conversation.

“Hey, guys,” Mike called out, skidding to a stop. “Whatcha doing?”

“We’re talking about going to check on Mr. Marty and the other adopted grandparents tomorrow,” Darius said. “Robert’s coming, too.”

Robert frowned slightly. “I’m not part of the group.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Jalen said. “Mr. Pete… um, Detective Pete, tells us to know who we can trust and hang out with those people. We’ve got some of the older people in those senior apartments who are kinda like adopted grandparents. They help us, and we help them.”

Robert nodded slowly. “That’s cool. My real grandpa lives with us, so I have that built in.”

“Yeah,” Jimmy said, “but you can never have too many people on your side.” He jerked his chin toward the breezeway. “We’ll meet here after the school bus drops us all off.”

Darius looked at the boys who had just joined them. “Jimmy said Mr. Marty had a nephew visiting who looks like a jerk.”

Jimmy shot him a look and rolled his eyes. “Yes, but we’re not gonna say anything to him. After all, it’s his relative.”

“I know,” Darius grumbled. “I was just letting them know that we’re kind of like the undercover eyes for our grandparents.”

Robert finally smiled, shaking his head, but there was something lighter in his expression now—like maybe for the first time in a while, he wasn’t standing on the outside looking in.

As the group gathered and started down the breezeway together, Jimmy’s focus remained elsewhere. Because if Marty’s grand-nephew kept coming around to talk to some men who weren’t trustworthy in their complex, Jimmy needed to know why. And whether they should be worried.

The air smelled of fresh-cut grass as Jimmy and the others rode their bikes toward Careway Senior Apartments.

Their bike wheels hummed against the pavement as they avoided the potholes.

The ride was just over a mile, and the younger boys easily kept pace, their laughter ringing out as they lightheartedly teased each other.

Since Jimmy wasn’t tied up with spring sports this year, he had more time to visit, and over the past few days, he’d made the trip whenever he could. But today was special since they all went together.

When they rolled up to the apartments, Rosetta was already outside in the garden, rocking in her chair like she’d been waiting for them. Her sharp eyes caught sight of them before their sneakers even hit the ground.

“Well, look at y’all, coming round like the sunshine,” she called, grinning wide. “I wasn’t expecting company today!”

Jimmy smiled as he kicked his bike stand down. “We had some time and figured we’d drop by.”

Rosetta’s whole face lit up, and she pushed herself to her feet. “That calls for cake, then!” She didn’t wait for a response before turning back into the apartment, calling over her shoulder, “Y’all come on in!”

Inside, the apartment smelled of cinnamon and vanilla, and it reminded Jimmy of his apartment when his mom had time to bake cookies. Before they even had a chance to settle, Rosetta was already on the phone with Hannah.

“You better get over here. We got visitors, and I know you got something sweet in that kitchen of yours.”

It wasn’t long before Hannah arrived, carrying a tin of fresh chocolate chip cookies that still held warmth from the oven. The boys didn’t hesitate, diving into the treats, their chatter filling the room as they swapped stories with the women.

After a while, they made their rounds, checking in on the other residents.

They didn’t knock on George’s door since Hannah mentioned he was at a doctor’s appointment.

Bertram and Harold were at their usual spot by the window, playing cards, their makeshift poker chips nothing more than dried pieces of pasta.

“Y’all ever gonna bet with something you can eat?” Darius teased, peering over Harold’s shoulder.

Harold grunted, never looking up from his hand. “Boy, these noodles been sitting in that jar longer than you’ve been alive. They’re worth more than a meal now.”

The boys laughed, but soon, Jimmy’s focus shifted to the one person he really wanted to check on… Mr. Marty.

The old man’s eyes twinkled when he spotted them. “Well, I’ll be. Thought I might’ve scared y’all off with all my stories last time.”

“Nah,” Jimmy said, shaking his head. “We like your stories.”

Marty gave a pleased grunt and motioned for them to sit. After a few minutes of talking, Jimmy lingered as the others made their way toward the door. His voice dropped, turning more serious.

“Has your great-nephew been by again?”

Marty’s expression tightened, his mouth pressing into a thin line before he let out a slow sigh. “Not much. Once a week, if that.”

Jimmy frowned. “Was he around more before?”

Marty shook his head. “No. Truth be told, I’d almost forgotten my stepsister even had a grandson. He showed up outta the blue months back, said he was doing business over this way and that his grandma mentioned me.”

Jimmy studied Marty’s face. “What kind of business?”

“I don’t rightly know,” Marty admitted, rubbing his chin. “But whatever it is, it must be doing well. Boy’s got himself some fancy shoes, and that car he drives up in? That ain’t no used junker, that’s for sure.”

Jimmy nodded, filing the information away. He didn’t know what kind of business required expensive shoes and unannounced visits, but something about it sat wrong in his gut.

“Well, I’ll check in again soon,” Jimmy promised. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the meeting.”

Marty clapped a bony hand on Jimmy’s shoulder, his grip firm despite his frailty. “You’re a good young man, Jimmy. Never had kids of my own, but I’d be proud to claim you as family.”

Jimmy swallowed against the warmth that rose in his chest, then grinned. “Thanks, Mr. Marty.”

As he stepped outside, the boys crowded around, their curiosity sparking like flint.

“What’d he say?” Darius asked, glancing back at the building.

Jimmy relayed the conversation, his voice dropping when he mentioned Tamarcus.

Darius smirked. “You gonna be like a superspy and keep watch?”

Jimmy chuckled. “Something like that. Now that I know what car Tamarcus drives, I can check if it’s here before coming up.”

Mike frowned, glancing around. “Not a lot of good places to hide here, though. We stick out with these bikes.”

Jalen jerked his chin toward the back. “Maybe we can stash them somewhere.”

Curious, they hopped back on their bikes and pedaled to the rear of the building.

The grass was mowed, and the building’s overhang shadowed the area.

Each apartment had a back door that opened to a sidewalk running along the rear of the building.

Their trash cans were standing next to the doors like sentinels.

“I don’t think anybody comes to the back much,” Curly muttered, eyeing the neat yard that was empty.

“Probably leftover from the hotel before this place became apartments for older people,” Jimmy guessed. He glanced around, then nodded. “But no one’s back here. If I ever need to hide my bike, this is the spot.”

The others murmured their agreement, and with a silent pact sealed, they rode off toward home, the weight of their new plan settling in their minds like a secret worth keeping.