Chapter 5
John felt bad for Pete. And for himself, let’s be honest.
Poor Pete. Stuck in that nightmare house with his nightmare father. Mrs. Duncan was a sweetheart when Jackass wasn’t around, but she’d had her spirit broke long before John met her son.
They left the diner and Pete turned back toward the cruiser.
“Got your radio and your phone, Deputy?” John said.
“Well, yeah. Of course.”
“Come on then, let’s walk back to the park. I’ve got a few things I’d like to talk to you about.”
Pete hesitated, and John punched him in the shoulder.
“Oh, come on. It’s daylight, you’re a cop, and the park is nice and public. I promise you’ll be safe from little old me.”
They walked back to the park and leaned against the old red caboose. On a Friday afternoon, they had the place mostly to them
