is not in trouble, and the police are only going to want to hear his side of the story.”
Marshall frowned. “You can’t trust ’em.”
Johnny stared at his brother in disbelief. “Marshall! Where is all this coming from? Since when have you become an expert on bad police procedure?”
“I watch TV. I know how it goes down,” Marshall said.
“I think your TV choices could be better, and we’ll be talking about that as well in our family meeting. In the meantime, you will be quiet, and you will be respectful when the police get here. Do you understand me?”
Marshall ducked his head. “Yes, sir.”
Beep reached for Johnny’s hand. “Don’t leave me alone with the cops,” he said.
“What the hell?” Johnny muttered. “Have you been watching those shows with Marshall?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“At Miss Jane’s after we get through with homework. She watches old cops-and-robbers movies.”
“Good Lord,” Johnny muttered. He was going to have to have a talk with the sitter too. Could this day get any worse?
There was a knock on the door, and then a uniformed officer from the Blessings Police Department walked in carrying a tripod and a camera case.
Johnny breathed a sigh of relief. He knew and respected Lon Pittman. He would be fair. “Hey, Lon,” Johnny said.
“Hello, Johnny. Dr. Quick has reported an assault on Brooks Pine, who I am assuming is your little brother, Beep. Can’t say as I ever knew his real name before today. I am going to video his statement, okay?”
Johnny nodded. “Dr. Quick told us he called you. Beep will answer your questions. Won’t you, buddy?”
Beep blinked and tightened his hold on Johnny’s hand.
Lon was shocked at the condition of the little guy’s face and hated that his presence was adding to his discomfort. He quickly set up the camera and once it was in place, he moved just out of camera range. “It’s gonna be okay, Beep. You remember me from Career Day at school, right? I came in and talked to your class about obeying traffic laws and how you look both ways before you cross streets. I just want you to tell me what happened.”
Chapter 3
By the time Beep finished recounting the story, Lon was shocked at the viciousness of the attack and trying not to show it. He had everything on video, including Beep’s broken nose and swollen face, the missing patches of hair on the back of his head, as well as the large contusions on his back, thigh, and belly, which was turning a darker shade of purple where his ribs had been fractured.
Lon turned off the camera. He would get the other boys’ statements as well, but there was no way on earth to explain away what they’d done. Four older, bigger boys had ganged up on one younger and smaller boy and kicked him until they broke him.
Lon paused at the foot of Beep’s bed and patted his foot.
“I’m sorry this happened,” Lon said.
Beep blinked. “It won’t happen again, Officer Pittman.”
“Oh yeah?” Lon said.
Beep nodded. “I’m not gonna sleep with gum in my mouth no more, so they won’t be mad.”
“Anymore,” Johnny said, “and none of this was your fault, Beep. Your hair is not their business. They are the ones who did something bad, okay?”
Lon was sick to his stomach. Poor kid, still thinking it happened because he didn’t “look right.” He slipped his copy of the doctor’s report into a folder as he began gathering up his things.
“I think that covers what I need. Y’all take care,” Lon said. He left quickly, anxious to get to school before it let out, leaving Johnny and the boys in the ER.
Johnny glanced at Beep, then slid his hand across Marshall’s shoulder.
“Marshall, you stay here with your brother until I get back. I’m going to find a nurse and get us checked out. I’ll be right outside, so don’t worry, okay?”
Marshall nodded. “I can handle it. I’m not a kid anymore.”
Johnny frowned. “Yes, you are, and I intend for you to stay that way