Cold Grab by Steven Barwin

Author:Steven Barwin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: James Lorimer and Company Ltd., Publishers
Published: 2018-08-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Pulisya (Police)

On his way back to his seat, Angelo spotted Yvonne at the library door. She waved him over. He paused, surprised to see his mother standing with a police officer. He approached and quickly saw that the man, who looked to be in his twenties, was Filipino. He overheard Yvonne say to the officer, “Mahirap gisingin ang nagtutulog-tulgan.” He realized they were talking about him. She was saying it was hard to wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep. Yvonne was calling her son lazy.

He noticed she almost smiled when she said, “Angelo, this is police officer Mendoza.” If she was trying to scare him, it worked.

The policeman extended his hand.

Angelo shook the hand. He eyed the thick belt holding a notepad, flashlight, and handgun. Across the bulletproof Kevlar chest protector, the word Police was printed in reflective white.

“So your mother was telling me about what happened with a missing hockey card,” Officer Mendoza said.

“Maybe he can help you,” Yvonne added.

Angelo didn’t say anything. He was shocked to be actually talking to a police officer. If the boys could see him, they’d flip out. Or maybe just laugh.

Officer Mendoza held his police hat wedged between his arm and bulletproof vest. “A big part of my job is working in this . . . our community . . . helping to protect it. If you didn’t take the card, then you really have nothing to worry about.”

Angelo knew he was trapped, so he just nodded.

“So,” Officer Mendoza said, “you didn’t take it?”

Angelo shook his head.

“Answer the officer with words,” Yvonne said.

Officer Mendoza smiled and patted Angelo’s shoulder. “He’s a quiet kid. I was too at his age. Do you know who might have taken the hockey card?”

“No.”

Officer Mendoza scratched at his head. “If this lady is going to follow through and press charges, you should be prepared.”

Yvonne said, “Thank you for your help.”

Officer Mendoza looked at Angelo. “Yvonne, do you mind if I talk to Angelo alone?”

“Okay.” Yvonne stepped away.

Officer Mendoza stepped closer to Angelo. “You have it hard. I see that.”

Angelo only looked up when a walkie-talkie hanging off the top of the officer’s vest squawked.

“But that’s not all I see. You have a chance to get educated and create a great life for yourself.”

The words were just what Yvonne had said. But they sounded scarier when coming from the police officer.

Officer Mendoza paused before asking, “So did your friends put you up to this? Or were you just strapped for cash? I’m not saying you took it. But if you did, you really should return it before things get ugly.”

Angelo looked at the officer, unsure of what to say.

“I’ve seen boys like you come and go on these streets. First, it’s stealing. Then it’s drugs. And then you’re stealing to pay for the drugs. Young Filipino boys and street gangs go together like, as they say in Canada, peanut butter and jam.” Officer Mendoza laughed. “But I like you, Angelo. You should write down what happened that day in the house.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.