Unexpected 6: Street's #1 Fan

Chapter 9: Shhh

Street had no idea what awaited him after the whole mess in school. He spent an hour trying to calm Rubio down, then talking to the psychologists, Agent Soto, the patrol officers, and even the principal. In the end, he was able to convince everyone that Rubio would not run, that what happened was part of an outburst caused by his traumas. To his luck, the psychologist backed him up in everything. The agent let it slide and the kid was allowed to return to class. Rubio, on the other hand,  wasn't an easy costumer. He demanded to speak with Chris because he didn't believe Street could convince her of not kicking him out. After all, his freedom really depended on her word.

Chris, however, was in a dilemma of her own. Ever since arriving to HQ that morning and being picked up by the chief's detail, no one had heard anything from her status, except when she called to asked about Rubio. The office had kept everyone out of the loop!

Street was now breathing a little bit more calmly, as he made his way back to HQ. He went by block after block after block, wondering and thinking. Just as he was deep into his thoughts, he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He made a stop at a red light, and managed take a peak at his side mirror, when he noticed the same red Jeep as the previous two red lights. It stopped two cars behind him.

BZZZT

His phone vibrated again.  "Hello! Officer Street talking."

"Jim, it's Alex" called a familiar voice. Just as Street was beginning to feel calmer, a rush of panic swept through him as he had completely forgotten about Rubio's trial coming up this week. "We need to talk about Rubio's case. Got two huge breaks, buddy!"

"That's great. What happened?" he asked focusing on the conversation

"For starters, you remember Detective Vince? The one handling the case?"

"Yes, sir." he answered nodding slowly

"Well, he got a warrant for the Pederson's financials and found some interesting deposits. He told me he was working around the clock to find out if those were payments for selling passports or legal documents from the kids those people fostered. Also, he went around the neighborhood, and two witnesses are willing to come forward to testify about hearing kids' voices and cries from the garage. He just got a warrant to search the house, which would be perfect if he found those cages Rubio talked about."

Street nodded, as he kept glancing at the Jeep from his side mirror. Windows and front glass were tinted so he could only make a silhouette of a woman.

"Something else. Judge Rodgers tested positive for Covid last Wednesday, which puts him out til next Tuesday. This gives us a couple of more days to prep. He's asked us counselors if we want to waive the right to a speedy trial by assigning another judge, but I think we should stay with him. Another judge might push us back." he paused to a long silence, "Jim? You there?"

Street was still deciphering the woman in the red Jeep when the sound of Alex's voice and the honking of horns behind him snapped him back to reality. The light had just turned green and he was creating traffic by just staying put. He jumped out of his skin, as he was startled by every noise at the same time.

"Uh...yeah, yeah. I'm here."

"Did you hear what I said?"

"Yeah. Great news. Listen, Alex, I gotta get back to work...I'm still trying to get a hold of Chris, who was removed from HQ this morning after I came in early."

"We definitely need Chris to proceed, Street." the counselor urged

"I know, I know. I just gotta call from my boss that a representative from the chief's office wants to talk to us, so hopefully I get an update on her situation. I don't know much so far. She was going to tell me this morning, but I had to leave and we couldn't talk."