Cold Snap Read Online Free PDF

Tom in reading. The kid had graduated eighth grade without being able to read. Elle had helped their mom find a second job. They lived a couple blocks from Granny’s Kitchen and ate dinner here almost every night.
    She and Patrick followed them upstairs. Because it was nearly nine, most of the kids had already eaten. The hot food was gone, but the volunteers would make sandwiches for anyone who came in late. She spotted Clark talking to three boys while they ate. He saw her and waved, but she didn’t miss that he looked twice at Patrick.
    Clark motioned for Elle to come over. “What’s up?”
    “Do you have a sec?” she asked.
    “Of course.”
    Elle didn’t say anything, and Clark said to the teenagers, “Go back downstairs. I’ll meet you at the Xbox in ten minutes.”
    The kids left, all about sixteen and rough around the edges. That wasn’t unusual, but Elle hadn’t seen these three before.
    “Sit down,” Clark said, motioning to the vacated chairs.
    Elle introduced Patrick. “He’s a family friend from San Diego.” Better than saying a cop or private investigator or whatever Kincaid was now. “I need some help, but you have to keep it confidential.”
    “Of course,” he said, concerned. “Is it about Kami?”
    Elle was surprised. “Yes, why?”
    “I heard that she got arrested again, figured you’d take her case.”
    “I need to find her.”
    “She’s not in juvie?”
    “No. I’m responsible for her.”
    “Elle, I’ve warned you about that—you’re going to get in trouble with the bar if you keep this up.”
    “There were extenuating circumstances.”
    “Like what?”
    “Like stuff,” she said vaguely. “Has she been in here tonight?”
    “No, but I didn’t get in until eight.”
    “If you see her, please tell her to call me. She’s in danger.”
    “How so?”
    “I can’t say, she’s my client,” Elle said, “but I need to find her. You understand, right?”
    “No, but I trust you. I can ask around—”
    “No, don’t do that. But you can help me—where’s Lorenzo tonight?”
    “Stay away from him,” Clark said. “I shouldn’t have to tell you that.” He paused. “Is that why Kami’s in danger? From Lorenzo?”
    “Possibly. She got picked up for possession with intent. She said she wasn’t selling, that she didn’t know what she was carrying.” Elle didn’t believe it. The not-selling part, yes, but Kami had known what she was doing. She probably thought it would help her get the goods on Christopher Lee. She hadn’t told Elle that, but it seemed obvious.
    “I don’t feel comfortable sending you out there—”
    “He’s at the new teen center? Really?” Why was she surprised? If Lorenzo and Lee were tied at the hip like Elle thought, of course Lee would let him use the new center as a base. It simply confirmed what Elle suspected.
    “He has an apartment near the center, but I don’t know exactly where. It’s one of those better-that-I-don’t-know situations.”
    “Thanks.” She got up.
    “Don’t do it.”
    “Whose side are you on?”
    “The kids’, always. And the best way to stop Lorenzo’s power is to educate these kids and give them opportunities and hope.”
    “The best way to stop his power is to put him in jail,” Elle snapped. She and Clark had gone around and around on this. While Elle didn’t care much for the police, she knew they were the only ones who could truly stop the drug dealer. Yes, others would fill his shoes, but if people like her and Clark were there to help the kids transition from being victims—throwaways, homeless, emotionally and physically abused—to becoming productive, clean-living citizens, they could perhaps take on future leadership roles and prevent people like Lorenzo from gaining power over the desperate. There was no easy solution and the problem would continue as long as Elle was alive. But she looked at it one kid at a time. Save Kami. Save boys like Tom and Deej. Keep them from running the