Friend or Foe by Patrick Jones

Author:Patrick Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group

14

MAY 28 / THURSDAY LATE AFTERNOON

COLLIN COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICE

“Have you decided what to do, Ian?” the probation officer asked. It was a different guy than I had talked to last time, but still the same small office, bad suit, and worse haircut. “Time is running out.”

“What’s the big rush?” I asked. I knew, because I’d read about all of this online, but I wanted him to tell me. That would let me know what he thought was important. He seemed sweaty and in a hurry.

“Next week is the announcement hearing where the state will decide if they’re going forward or not with the case against Orlando. They have a strong case, but they’ll need your testimony and Chase’s to seal it.”

“Do I get a lawyer? Because Lord knows I can’t afford one.”

“No, Ian, you’re a witness, you’re not under arrest.”

“But you are threatening me with the probation, so it seems to be that I should—”

“That’s not how the system works.”

I looked over my shoulder at the lobby of the probation office; it was like the lobby of the JDC. I was once again the only white face. I knew exactly how the system worked. “What did Chase say?”

The guy leaned in closer, like he was trying to tell me a secret or be my friend. “He said the right thing, that’s all I can say.” If Orlando did serious time, then the band would be Chase’s, and he knew it.

“So you need to do the right thing as well,” he said. “You don’t want a juvenile record to—”

“I read up on it,” I interrupted. “Most juvenile records are sealed. And if I just get probation or house arrest, big deal. I don’t go anywhere except school and my job anyway, so that’s not much of a threat.” He backed away from me. He wanted to be my friend when he thought I was scared and stupid; wrong and wrong.

“Okay, so just tell me when you need me to be here. And trust me, I’ll do the right thing.”

He looked at me, unsure, before messing around on his computer while I stared at a Cowboys Cheerleaders calendar on the wall. Orlando had been in for ten days; it probably felt like ten years being away from Desiree. He’d run through a brick wall for her; I’d make sure that wall was built and securely in place.

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