Okay, not bad. “Okay, but that’s compared to last year. What about February? I would understand if there was a decrease there. You and I both know that over 6,000 people are reporting homelessness. Perhaps half of them visit the center.”
She huffs, getting even more annoyed at me. “I know that! Jesus, keep talking and something intelligent might come out.”
“Aggie, I don’t see the need to worry over something meaningless.” I start to stand up, but I’m stopped by Aggie raising her hand.
“Listen, I saw the report from March and February. There was a decrease by 70. March reported 253 individuals checking in, February was 323. I know Social Services are not that quick with housing 70 people. So, Tessa, where did they go?”
The numbers and the coincidences are telling me one thing.
I pause, thinking about my next words. “Jeremiah told me on more than one occasion that he noticed people missing. People come and go every month here. I’m not sure what to believe.”
Aggie sighs, clearly not willing to fight with me. “Look I’m just telling you that I think something fishy is going on and maybe it’s time we start taking things seriously.”
Was Jeremiah right? Have I been so caught up in the Foundation that I forgot about my work within the community? This is a lot to take in on a Tuesday. “I can’t promise anything, but I’ll keep an ear out.I’ll run my reports to show proof.” Aggie nods at me, and she stands to give me another hug.
“Tessa, whatever else is eating you up inside, let it go. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.” Her words echo in my head. I’ve had to be strong for so long to get myself out of the mess I put myself in. Her embrace is enough for me to gather back that strength.
“We’ll figure it out,” I say, leaving her office.
It’s time for me to listen to my gut again. I need more information. An idea pops in my head. There’s a person I could ask for help.
I dial the number, taking a deep breath. Why am I so nervous? A couple rings go by, then the click.Hestill makes me nervous
“Did you handle your situation? Or do you just miss me?” I swear I could feel the vibration of his voice through the receiving end.
I chuckle. “And what if I just missed you?”
“Then you must have fallen for me.”
My chuckle turns into a full-blown laugh. “More like tripped on the sidewalk and busted my face.”
“I suggest you watch it, Little Cub.” A smirk paints my face. I wanted to push him a bit. It’s fun to walk on the thin line and see the many buttons I can push, before I suffer the consequences.
“You still wanna see me?”
“I think you know the answer. What do you have in that twisted mind of yours? I have some ideas of my own. Including your bed.”
“Mm, someone’s in a mood.”
I can hear the rumble in his chest from here. “Always for you, darlin’. Now, what do you have in mind?”
I blurt it out before I lose my nerve. “You want to visit the new shelter with me? Tonight?”
My proposition is met with a laugh. “Is Teresa Bjorn asking me out on a date?”
“Don’t let it go to your head. On both ends. But yes; I talked a bit about what I do, but now I want to show you.”
He agrees faster than I expect. “Okay, I’ll pick you up at 7?”
I shake my head, even though I know he can’t see it. “I’ll meet you there. I don’t know what the rest of the day is going to be like when I get back to the office.”
I don’t tell him the real reason. My hope is that, through connections and the club, maybe he can gather intel for me. I have a fear that there might be illegal activity behind the disappearances. I hope that I’m wrong and people are actually getting housed, employed, and off the streets. There’s only one way to find out: time to get my hands dirty.
The rest of the day is uneventful, even though I’m on edge. I feel knots in my stomach and I don’t know where I’m going, but I have a plan of action. Even on edge, I’m at least able to get through the rest of my to-do list for the day. I’m not giving Sheldon and the Wicked Witch of the South any ammunition to discredit me. Carla can kiss my ass; she can take her fake boobs and innocent act out of my life and the Foundation.
I dial Britt to ask if she’ll take care of Seamus, and the tone of her voice tells me all I need to know.
“You finally gonna climb that tree?” she asks.