I Swear

32. JAKE

They were already digging foundations by the time I had the guts to go see the place. Yesterday Beth had called me in hysterics from the curb in front of the Gatlins’ place. Today, Glen Gatlin was pacing back and forth monitoring his new development: seventeen thousand square feet of multipurpose retail stores and condominiums, with live/work loft spaces and two big-box stores.

“There he is,” I said as I spotted Leslie’s dad.

“Want me to come with you?” Brad asked.

“Nah. I got this.” I slid out of his truck. “Back in a flash,” I said, and closed the door. Then I strode across the packed dirt toward Mr. Gatlin.

I fell into step with Mr. Gatlin and a foreman in a hard hat as they walked toward the closest building.

“Mr. Gatlin?”

He turned and stopped short when he saw me.

“Got a second?” I asked, putting a hand out. He didn’t take it, but didn’t turn away.

“Gimme a second, Jim?” he asked without taking his eyes off mine.

“Sure thing.” The foreman nodded at me and headed on toward the site.

“Can I help you, Jake?”

“Hope so,” I said. “Just need a minute of your time.”

“What kind of help you looking for?” he asked.

“Help understanding something,” I said.

He took off his cap and ran a hand through his hair, then replaced it, looking back at me hard. “What’s that?”

“How you could trade justice for money?” I said.

“I don’t think I like your tone,” he said. “You don’t know anything about me.”

“I know your daughter thought you were a pretty amazing guy,” I said. “She used to tell me all the time.”

He shook his head and chuckled quietly to himself, then looked back at me. “Guess she was wrong,” he said. “Turns out she was wrong about a couple things.”

“Like what?” I asked.

His eyes narrowed. “Like what a smart kid you were, for one. You weren’t the only one she talked to all the time, Jake. Fact is, you weren’t around much at all those last few months.”

His words felt like a kick in the gut, and he must’ve seen it on my face.

“Aw, c’mon, Jake. Let’s not make it like this. I know you’re a good kid. I know you mean well, but you can’t fight a force like Mike Merrick.”

I looked out at the vast expanse that would soon be buildings and parking lots and, at the end of the day, a paycheck. “So if you can’t lick ’em, join ’em, huh? Or at least get what you want.”

Mr. Gatlin walked over to me and surveyed the construction site. I felt him put an arm around my shoulders. “Bad business won’t bring Leslie back.”

I shook his arm off and headed toward Brad’s truck.