All Revved Up

Chapter 14

Kitt

"Something is going on," Bexley mutters from beside me.

We're in the kitchen, leaning against opposite countertops and trying (not very hard) to not eavesdrop. Turns out it's incredibly difficult to tune out the sound of Kiara's voice. My brain seems to be doing its very best to listen to every single word she says.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

He crosses his arms, his eyes fixed on one of the tiles on the floor. "I mean that something about the mom being so absent is a little strange. She has foster kids, Kitt. Those kids are her job, her responsibility. Why is Kiara doing all the heavy lifting?"

I wanna argue that every family has issues. This is not an uncommon thing. I have family problems. So much so that I haven't spoken to them in six years. My mouth stays shut, though, sealed against words that I can't say.

"Maybe her mom works a lot," I try instead, convincing myself more than him.

He shakes his head. "The hours she's gone aren't consistent. Unless she works all over the place and at very random times, it doesn't make sense."

Understanding finally dawns, and it makes everything so clear.

I wait until his eyes meet mine before asking, "Are you saying the mom is out racing?"

He nods. "That is exactly what I'm saying."

I run a hand through my hair, a huff of laughter escaping my lips. "I never even thought of that."

His lips tip. "That's ok. We both know I'm smarter."

I roll my eyes, but inside I know it's true. I haven't been smart since coming here. Something about chocolate eyes and brown curls has my mind fogging.

I push the thought away and focus. "So if the mom is-"

"Do you have dinosaurs in your house?"

"Shit!" I jump, hand going to my heart as it pounds through my chest.

Oliver's little eyebrows furrow. "Ara said that word isn't good to use."

A chuckle breaks free as I say, "Apologies. I think I might have just had a heart attack."

He looks me up and down. "You seem ok now."

I smile. "Yeah, Oliver. I'm ok now."

Bexley steps forward. "You like dinosaurs, buddy?"

Oliver beams. "Yeah! I was going to show Mr Kitt my collection, but then he never came back to our house."

A ping goes through my chest at the reminder of our first meeting.

I crouch down to his level before saying, "There's still plenty of time. How about we go grab some and bring them over here to play with?"

Oliver nods enthusiastically. "That way Ara can play too!"

An idea forms just as I'm stepping out the door with Oliver, and I send a quick text to Bexley before continuing.

Me: I'll look around a little. See if I can find anything useful in our search.

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It feels wrong snooping around Kiara's house, and yet I know it's right. If Kiara's mom is illegally racing, she's in for possible jail time.

I don't have a warrant to search the house, of course, but who needs a warrant when you have an Oliver?

I sent him to collect his toys while I sped and walked to the nearest room. I don't go inside, I just look in, trying to find pictures or trophies or anything that could point us in the right direction.

There's nothing, so I move on to next. It's bigger, probably the mom's room, but there's nothing that tells me our assumptions are correct.

We can't take theories to the police station. We have to do better. I need a piece of evidence, but I can't see anything that would help.

"I got them!" Oliver announces as he strolls out of his room.

I smile, hoping it doesn't look like a grimace. "Awesome." He turns around to walk down the stairs, and I halt him to ask, "Hey, Oliver, where is your mom?"

His face looks contemplative for a second before he shrugs. "I don't know. Ara says she works a lot, so I'm guessing she's at work."

I hum in acknowledgment as we start to walk. "And where does she work?"

He thinks for a beat. "Meetings, I think?"

I stop and turn to face him. "She works at meetings?"

He nods. "Yup. Lots of meetings."

My lips tip up as I nod. "I see. So your sister watches you guys a lot?"

He opens the front door before saying, "Yeah. She's like our other mom."

Other mom.

My heart pinches.

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By the time supper comes and goes, Kiara can walk on her foot again, and I'm feeling more clueless than ever.

I tried to ask Oliver more questions as we played, but Kiara was in too close proximity, and I didn't want her to think I was harassing her little brother.

We finally have a lead, and I have no idea how to get more information. Bexley looked into her. She has a completely clean slate. It doesn't make sense.

"Alright, well," Kiara's voice floats into my conscious. "Thank you so much for letting us stay here. It was very nice of you to play with the kids. They enjoyed it a lot."

Oliver jumps up before saying, "Yeah! It was so much fun!"

I smile. "Glad to hear it, buddy. Hopefully, we can do it again soon."

He turns to Kiara with elated eyes. "Can we?"

She ruffles his hair, saying, "Of course we can. Now go get your shoes on."

He bounds off, his steps echoing off the floors.

Kiara clears her throat, an uncomfortable look on her face as she stares at the ground. "Umm, thank you again. You didn't have to house us for the day. I could've-"

I put my hand on her arm, and her eyes fly up to meet mine. "I know you could've done it, but it's ok to have help, Kiara. And it was my absolute pleasure. Those kids are something else."

She finally smiles, and it feels like I won the world. "They are." She gestures behind her. "Anyway, I should get going. Amir and Kaia get antsy if they don't go to bed on time."

I put both hands in my pockets before saying, "You guys are welcome here at any time. I'll see you later, ok?"

She nods. "Definitely."

That one word feels like a victory.