Knockout Games by G. Neri

Author:G. Neri
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books

24

I cracked the door open just enough to see Mr. Jamison in the living room. He was towering over Kalvin, who was on the couch trying to play it cool. Boner growled at the intruder.

“You got no right to be here,” said Kalvin. “You ain’t a cop and I don’t go to Truman anymore.”

Jamison raised his eyebrows. “Oh, so you’re admitting you no longer go to school. Does your mother know that?”

“Don’t be playing my moms. She knows I’m good,” Kalvin said.

Jamison smirked. “I seriously doubt that.” Boner continued to growl, and Jamison seemed ready to strangle him.

Kalvin ignored him. “That dog is trained to kill, yo.”

Jamison looked at Kalvin’s mom. “Mrs. Barnes, I’m here as a favor. Next time it won’t be me; it’ll be SLPD. I’m trying to look out for my kids—” he stole a look at Kalvin, who was about to say something. “The kids at Truman, who have been involved in these Knockout Games.”

Kalvin’s mom piped in. “Kal don’t go in for these kinds of things. He works that all out at the Rec Center.”

“Is that what he tells you?” He turned his attention back to Kalvin. “I don’t know if you heard or not, but we had a little chat with Prince Rodriguez this afternoon. Know him?”

Kalvin shrugged.

“Yeah, apparently he was part of that whole water balloon incident last night—”

“For reals, Mr. Jamison?” interrupted Kalvin. “Why don’t you arrest me for stealing lollipops?”

Jamison was not amused. “You know someone knocked out a city councilman that night?”

Kalvin looked confused.

Jamison brightened. “Oh, you haven’t heard yet? Well, apparently your pal Prince was identified as a possible perp and in our discussions, one name kept coming up: the Knockout King. Ring any bells?”

“Yeah, it’s one of those old-school video games my pops use ta play.” He pretended to box from the couch.

“Nice tat,” Jamison said, pointing at his fist. “Coincidence?”

Kalvin pulled his hand away. “You gonna have to do better than that.”

His mom cut in. “He’s a boxer, and you know it. He won a bunch of fights, so they started calling him that. I told him he shouldn’t deface his body, but he was so proud.”

Jamison glowered at him. “That’s a nice story and I’m sure it’ll play in front of a jury.”

Again, Kalvin scoffed. “Ain’t no juries in Family Court.”

Jamison was impressed. “That’s right, Kalvin, there aren’t. But there are in adult court, which is where you’ll end up, Einstein.” Jamison leaned into his face. “Like father, like son. Do I have to explain it? The man beat it into you.”

Kalvin jumped up off the couch, ready for action. Boner started barking. Kalvin’s mom stepped between him and Jamison. “Kal, no! Don’t let him make you do something stupid. He’s just baiting you.”

Kalvin calmed himself and held out his wrists. “You ain’t got nothing on me; otherwise, you’d be here with a cop, arresting my ass now. So you just making noise is all.”

Jamison stood up to his full height, one eye on Kalvin, one on his mom.

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