Pauline directed them to the Safeway, just a few blocks away from Oliver’s. Carlos surveyed the territory.
“This is probably going to feel like an ambush no matter what we do, since we didn’t set up a meeting beforehand. But let’s keep it low-key. Sit there, maybe, and wait?” He nodded to a bench by the side of the parking lot.
Pauline nodded. “That’s his car right there, so we’ll definitely see him.”
The car, to Carlos’ experienced eye, was likely on its last legs. A ticking bomb for someone without a lot of money, a job too far to walk to, and two little kids to tote around. This wasn’t New York, where he could’ve taken the subway.
They sat on the bench together. Carlos reached for Pauline’s hand again; he was finding it harder and harder to keep any distance between them.
That niggling suspicion that he’d had back at the house was starting to grow. And if he was right, helping Pauline with these kids was more important than ever.
“Oh, I don’t know what I’ll even say to him,” Pauline sighed, squeezing Carlos’ hand. “I’ve t
ried a million times to get him to accept more help, and he won’t.”
“Be honest and sincere,” Carlos advised. “Teenagers can smell it when you’re lying.”
Pauline laughed a little. “I wouldn’t lie.”
That much was already clear. Pauline was a woman of integrity.
Her small fingers clenched on his, and he looked up to see a teenaged boy coming out of the building.
He made his way over towards them, shoulders slumped, a dejected expression on his face. When it became clear that he was about to walk right past them without seeing them, eyes only on his car, Pauline stood up. “Hi, Drew.”
He stopped short, and Carlos saw a quick vulnerable look flash over his face before he covered it with sullenness. “What do you want, Pauline?”
“I just want to talk to you,” Pauline said gently. “I’m worried you’re in trouble and I want to help. That’s all.”
His eyes flickered from Pauline to Carlos. Suspicion settled in. “Who’s that?”
Carlos stood up. “Hi,” he said easily. “Carlos Gonzalez. I’m a friend of Pauline’s.”
“I’ve never seen you before,” Drew said warily.
“I’m from New York. I’m just here in town visiting some old friends of mine from the Service.”
“He’s friends with Nate, you remember him? Carlos helped Eva and her mom with that trouble they were having with Todd,” Pauline said.
Her tone was encouraging, but at the name Todd, Drew backed up a few steps. “I can’t stay,” he said. “I have to go pick up the kids.”
Carlos held up his hands. “We’re not trying to make you stay, or make you do anything,” he said. “We just wanted to let you know—if you need any help, with anything, you can call us. You’ve got Pauline’s number?”
Drew hesitated, and then nodded.
“Or talk to Eva if you need anything,” Pauline added. “She could get in touch with me if you wanted her to.”
“Eva doesn’t need any of my bullshit,” Drew muttered, and backed up a few more steps.
“Eva’s probably smart enough to help you with some of your bullshit, if you’d let her,” Pauline said sharply. It was the first time Carlos had heard her really swear, and it was unexpected, coming out of her well-bred mouth.
That might have been the intention, because Drew looked up, startled. Then he scowled. “I don’t need any help,” he said. “We’re fine.”
“I think you do need help,” Pauline said gently. “I think you’re looking for it from people who don’t care what happens to you. Who could hurt you.”
“How did you—” Drew snapped his mouth shut.
“If you want help from people who do care what happens to you, give us a call,” Carlos broke in gently. He caught Pauline’s eye and twitched his head away.