BUILDING THINGS

y opened the front door after the doorbell rang. Two officers were there on the porch and he recognized them both immediately. The one warmed him, the other set him on edge.

“Evening, Mr. Caldwell.”

“Detective Campbell.” Ty said, his eyes on the other officer standing beside and behind Campbell.

“This is Officer Collins. I believe you remember him from earlier?” Campbell asked.

“Are you and I going to have that conversation now…buster?” Ty asked and cocked his head slightly.

“There’s going to be a conversation, sir, but not like you think.” Collins said.

“May we…?” Campbell asked with a bit of a smirk. Ty stepped out of the way and swept his hand to bid entry. The officers stepped in as Ty closed the door behind them.

“I believe you remember my husband, Derrick Jacobson.” Ty said mostly toward Campbell as Derrick stood up from the couch arm.

“Husband?” Campbell asked with a warm smile. Derrick stepped forward holding out his hand. Campbell shifted his gaze from Ty to Derrick, putting out his own hand, “When did you guys…?”

“Friday past actually.” Derrick said as they shook warmly.

“Newlyweds, wow. Congratulations.” Campbell said.

“Thanks. Good to see you again, Detective, or should I say, Officer?” Derrick asked.

“Detectives are required to do street duty once a month for their first year. It kind of makes the transition smoother. So, in uniform, it’s officer.” Campbell said with a slight smile.

“How does that make any sense?” Ty asked. Campbell looked at him as Ty came around him.

“Working the streets, you can get a taste of the adrenalin rush of it, then you switch to working a desk mostly, it kind of becomes a let down. Some guys can’t deal with it very well.”

“You mean like Detective Lance possibly?” Derrick asked. His eyes flashed and saw the tension in the other officer. Campbell chuckled.

“Well, I won’t stand here and defend him, because I can’t. What he did was wrong, very wrong, as you well know as you lived it. There were other issues with Lance sadly. Once you got to know him though, he really was a good cop and a nice guy.” Campbell said and Collins visibly eased a bit. Ty even noticed it.

“I’m sure. You’ll forgive me as it really didn’t go well for me.” Derrick said.

“I know, and again, I’m very sorry for that.” Campbell said, “Officer Collins has something he’d like to say to you, Mr. Caldwell.” Ty straightened and his eyes shifted toward the other officer. Ty folded his arms over his big chest.

“Uh, I wanted to say that…I was out of line earlier…I made the situation a little worse and I should have been more professional about it. I apologize.” Collins said and firmed up as he looked directly at Ty.

“Well, you’re not the only one.” Ty said, lowering his arms, “I got a little out of hand myself. I guess I owe you an apology too.” Ty said and stepped forward and put out his hand. Collins responded and did the same, they shook, “I’m sorry.” Ty took his hand back, “So I guess we’re not going to have that other conversation, huh?”

“Uh…no. Not after the way I saw you hit Mr. Freitas and the damage you did.” Collins said, “How’s your hand?”

“It aches a little. I’ve had worse.” Ty said and then smirked.

“I don’t doubt it.” Collins said, “Well, thank you for listening and accepting my apology. I have reports I have to write before end of shift. Have a good night.” Collins gave them all a nod and went to the door. They watched him leave and then Campbell turned his attention to Aiden. Their eyes met.

“My name is Dave Campbell. You must be Aiden.” He said and Aiden nodded, “Would it be okay if I asked you some questions, Aiden?”

“Sure.” Aiden said softly.

“Can I sit down?” Campbell asked softly and Aiden scooted over on the couch. Campbell moved to the couch and sat next to Aiden and took out a notepad and a pen, “I need to write down some of what you tell me, is that okay?” Campbell asked with a partial side glance.

“Sure.” Aiden said.

“I want you to know I talked to your brother, Seth. He’s a really good kid. He’s got a lot of spunk. You know what he told me?” Campbell asked as Ty moved over to the love seat and Derrick joined him, both watching. Aiden shook his head, “His main concern the entire time we talked was you. He was worried that you would be upset or worried about him. I guess you guys are close, huh?”

“Yeah.” Aiden said, “We’ve always looked after each other.”

“Was it kind of rough at home?” Campbell asked. Aiden hung his head and nodded, “Have you ever been in any kind of trouble?” Aiden shook his head and then lifted it looking at Campbell.

“Am I in trouble now?” Aiden asked and Campbell smiled.

“No, not at all. But here’s the deal, and I’ll be honest with you about it. You know you’re still underage, right?” Campbell asked and Aiden nodded, “And I know that Mr. Caldwell really isn’t your uncle. Do you feel safe here, Aiden?” Campbell asked. Aiden nodded, “Got your own room?” Aiden nodded again, “Good. Maybe you can show it to me after we’re done here, is that alright?” Aiden nodded again, “Okay, now here comes the tough stuff, okay?” Campbell asked and Aiden braced himself, as did Derrick and Ty, “Like I said before, I’m gong to be honest with you.” Campbell looked directly at Aiden, “When you’re underage, we’re supposed to get child services involved and they shelter you when stuff like this happens.”

“Are you going to call them?” Aiden asked and his heart was sinking, his chest was tight. Campbell shook his head.

“No, I’m not. And here’s why. I know those two guys sitting over there and I also know they’re both good people, and I know that they will take very good care of you. As far as I’m concerned, Mr. Caldwell really is your uncle and that you are staying with family and that’s the way my report is going to read. So nobody else is going to come knocking on the door here and drag you away.” Campbell said.

“It happened to one of my friends at school. It was really bad.” Aiden said softly.

“I’m sorry to hear that, I really am.” Campbell said, “So here comes more tough stuff. Can you tell me how this stuff got started?” Aiden hesitated, looked toward Ty and Derrick once and then back to Campbell, “Look, buddy, I know it’s tough. It might help you to know it happened to me as well, but I was younger than what you are now. You’re what, seventeen?” Aiden nodded and eased a little.

“Did it really?”

“Yeah, it did. You’re a lot luckier than I was. I lived on the streets for about a year and it wasn’t fun.” Campbell said.

“I’m sorry.” Aiden said.