Against All Odds

Chapter 19

Lucas

I never thought bringing Dad down would be so hard. Before I started investigating him, I always put him down as a careless criminal. Now I'm starting to learn how good at being bad he is. If the police decides to break in and search our house they wouldn't find a scrap of evidence.

No doubt that's why they asked me in the first place. This morning I'd met a few of Dads friends, but I know they're his employees rather than friends. I'd pretended to show some interest in earning some money doing some dealing now and then. It didn't surprise Dad because, if I'm being honest, this wasn't the first time I'd asked for a small job.

When you have a drug dealer Dad, you soon learn the easy way of making money. Truth be told, I'd done a bit of dealing and I'd be lying if I said it hadn't been worth the money. It's certainly not a career I plan on going into but now and then I do understand why Dad does it; like the drugs themselves, dealing is addictive.

This time, however, Dad had turned down my request. It makes me nervous that he's onto my snooping but I covered those feelings up by simply acting pissed off that I'm missing out on some easy money. 

"Lucas man, what's up with you today?" Tyler asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. We are at the skate park but instead of skating I've been sat apart from the gang, thinking of a way I can get sufficient evidence to put Dad away for good.

"Thinking." I shrug him off. "Where's Harvey?"

Tyler's expression falls grim.

"He's with his mate. Shit went down last night." He explains and I frown, wondering who it could be. "It's that fit girl he's close with...Harper I think her name is."

"What?!" I jump to my feet quick as a flash, surprising us both. "What happened?"

"Er...Harvey said she went to break up with her boyfriend and ended up getting knocked out..." Tyler's words fly around my brain.

Her dick boyfriend knocked her out? Why did I not check on her this morning? I should have known something was up. Typical me, to wrapped up in my own life to help anyone around me even though they were helping me.

"Dude, do you know this girl?" Tyler waves a hand in front of my face.

"Kind of." I reply because in truth I barely know a thing about her. For some reason I feel bound to her. Eve is the first person to get involved in my situation and try to help.

"Do you want Mike's address?"

"You bet I do."

~~~

The door is taunting me, daring me to go in. I've never set foot in her house before and I don't even know if I'm welcome.

It's irrational but I have this feeling inside me which needs to see Eve. I need to check she's ok.
Suddenly someone opens the door and gives me a curious look. The guy is older than me, possibly in his early twenties. His features remind me of Eve and I assume this is her older brother.

"Who are you?" He asks and I notice how tired he appears. "You've been stood outside for ages, what do you want?"

"Can I see Eve?" I blurt out desperately, rubbing my recently bruised knuckle with my other hand nervously. The mans eyes are drawn to my bloodied knuckle and his eyebrows knit together in a frown. "Don't worry, the other guy got off worse."

"Who was the the other guy?" He questions curiously.

"Her ex." I reply and I see the guys eyes widen in surprise. He then opens the door wide for me and I enter Eve Harpers house.