With no help from the man, I dragged him to my car. I pressed my knife against his back and neared my face to his ear. He smelled like cheap cologne and sweat. "In." I whispered firmly, attempting to hide the exhaustion in my voice. He obeyed, climbing into the trunk. I used the dog crate in the back as a makeshift jail cell. It didn't look comfortable. I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture. I couldn't help it. This man was at least 6 feet tall and he was crammed into a cage meant for my Golden Retriever, Benny. Clark and I would have a laugh about it later.
I sent Clark a text message, telling him to meet me at my house. He responded immediately with a "k". Normally one letter answers annoyed me to no end; but I knew that Clark's "K" meant that he was too busy throwing on yesterday's pants and running to the car to write me a novel.
I pulled up into the driveway and got out of the car. Clark was already there, a hand resting his gun belt. It wasn't his.
I looked down at the boy, who looked to be only 4 or 5. I lifted an eyebrow and looked at Clark- a slightly pudgy black man with greying hair cropped close to his Temple. The boy had to be related to him. They boy's nose was pushed in like Clark's, though the child was extremely thin. Clark cleared his throat. He sounded like he was falling ill.
"This is Ferris." He croaked, giving the boy's head a rub.
"This isn't exactly a daycare, Clark." I sighed. Another problem. Another person endangered by being near me.
"What was I supposed to do? I ain't got no wife. Ferris is my grandson. And his parents are in the Bahamas by now."
"Augh" I half shouted. "Fine. He can sit in the living room with Benny."
I grabbed the boy by the hand and led him through my laundry room and onto the couch next to Benny. Benny was sprawled, leaving only a space big enough for a 5 year old open on the couch. I looked Benny in his giant brown eyes and said "Look after him. Protect him." Benny raised his head off of the cushion and held my gaze, and then dropped his head back on the cushion. I shook my head as he closed his eyes. "Ferris, look after Benny." I corrected. The 5 year old nodded his head vigorously and stared intently at the dog, continuing his focus long after I left the room. I was impressed by his large attention span.
When I got back out to my car, Clark was standing by the now-open trunk. "This man must be mighty embarrassed right now, all tied up like that. Nice job doc." He said with a smile, simultaneously pulling out his gun. "I'll grab him and lock 'em up in the back of my squad car. I'll question him back in the station and send you a transcript of the interview."
I frowned at him. I had wanted to help. "What about Ferris?" I protested. "I know that your front seat is full of old coffee cups and gear. He can't ride in the back with him." I said, violently gesturing towards the man in my trunk. I could feel neighbors staring at us through cracked doors and openings between curtains.
Clark was opening the back of the squad door for his new passenger when I finally looked up from the ground. What if I needed the information tonight? Wouldn't questioning him be faster than waiting?
"That's a good point. I guess that I shouldn't take Ferris in a car with this man." Clark shut the door to the cruiser and walked around to the front seat. He turned the key in the ignition as the car purred to life. "So I'll pick him up in the morning." Clark said quickly, shutting the car door and backing out of the driveway.
"Wait!!" I screamed. "What?!"
Clark looked at me through the rear view mirror as he rolled his window down. "He's your problem now!!!!" Clark shouted, speeding out of the driveway. He definitely didn't follow what he preached as a cop. He broke about 7 more traffic laws as he careened down the empty road, sirens blaring for no apparent reason. I watched as the lights in neighboring houses flicked on one by one.
"This is not what I signed up for." I murmured as I slowly made my way back into the house.
