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Show 40 He drew back, his hands in front of him. "Now, wait! I didn't mean that!" "You go straight to hell, Eccles!" she'd retorted, shocking everyone, including Mrs. Simpson, into embarrassed silence. Then she'd stomped out and spent an even worse hour in the girls' john trying to throw up. When the school day ended, Dyna knew she had to do something. She couldn't cope with not knowing. She had to "face the music," as Gram put it, though Dyna never understood how that expression came to stand for confrontation. Four-thirty found Dyna hesitating exactly where she'd hesitated once before, at the bottom of the steps leading to the imposing Hall of Justice. Go on. Get it over with. They may be savages, but they're not going to eat you. With an alibi in each fist, Dyna climbed the granite steps and surrendered her name to the green-eyed receptionist. After a short wait, she was ushered in to the detective's office and seated. He was studying a file-hers, obviously-flipping from one sheet to the next. He looked tired, middle-aged, this black police officer who'd invited her in for a grilling. Then he smiled at her. She smiled back. They hadn't exchanged a word, but here they were, smiling like old buddies. She couldn't help herself. She was a sucker for a good smile. "Thanks for coming in, Dyna," he stood and reached across the desk. "I'm Bruce Fowler." They shook hands and he sat down again. As if pre-arranged, his phone lit up immediately and Dyna was left perched on the edge of her chair, waiting for question one. When the officer swivelled to face the long west window, Dyna found herself trying to read his scribbled notes upside down, but it wcs impossible. The best she could do was to psych out his behavior. Why was he being so friendly? They must not have anything on her. Anything solid. Maybe they just wanted her cooperation, some information. Could that be it? Finally, he hung up and turned back to face her again. "I want to be open with you, Dyna. I know from experience it's no fun to be hassled by the police." He paused and cleared his throat. Dyna recognized the ploy: See? £, too, have been in trouble. I'm on your side. |