Baby On The Run

“Yes, sir.”

“Please wait outside until we clear the building.”

Matt did as he was ordered and called the police. He had to. It would look suspicious if he didn’t alert the authorities to the break-in. As he was making the call, a squad car and the chief’s car pulled into the lot.

A patrolman Matt recognized as Kyle Armstrong exited his squad car. Chief Billings and Kyle approached Matt.

You’re only the janitor, he reminded himself.

“I was just calling you guys,” Matt said.

“Hey, Matt,” Kyle greeted him.

“You two know each other?” Billings asked.

“We attend the same church,” Kyle said by way of explanation.

Church was no doubt a foreign concept to a guy like Billings. A dirty cop. A killer.

“This is Matt Weller, the night custodian,” Kyle introduced.

Billings extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Matt. Have any idea who pulled the alarm?”

“No, sir. Apparently some guy broke in.” He pointed toward the broken window.

“Some guy? Not mischievous teens?” Billings asked.

Matt opted for sticking to the truth as much as possible. “No, it was a man, sir.” He looked directly at Billings, whose eye twitched ever so slightly.

“Can you describe him?” Kyle asked, pulling out a small notebook.

“About five-ten, a hundred and eighty pounds.” He directed the rest of his answer to Kyle. “He wore a black leather jacket and knit cap. I’m thinking he was pushing forty?”

“Wow, how close did you get to this guy?” Kyle asked.

“Pretty close. He took a swing at me.”

“Are you injured?” Billings said with mock concern.

“No, sir. I grew up the youngest of five boys so I’m pretty good at defending myself.”

“The knit cap perp was inside the building?” Kyle pushed.

“Actually we got into it outside, back by the playground.”

Kyle looked up in question.

“I went out to my truck to get something, and that’s when I encountered the man,” Matt said. “The alarm had gone off—not sure what that was about. He claimed his wife was in the building.”

“His wife?” Kyle said. “But the center was closed.”

“That is correct,” Matt said. “I thought I convinced him to leave, but then he went all Rocky on me.”

The fire crew exited the building. “It’s clear,” the shift captain said.

“Thanks.” Billings turned to Matt. “I’d like you to walk me through what happened tonight. Step by step.”

Of course he did. He wanted to figure out if Matt was telling the truth or creating a story to protect himself, Jenna and the little boy.

“Sure, this way.” He led Kyle and the chief into the community center. By the end of this story, they’d be at Matt’s truck. He hoped they wouldn’t decide to search it, but why would they? Matt wasn’t a suspect. If Jenna stayed down and the little boy didn’t cry, Billings wouldn’t find her.

She’d be hiding right under his nose.

“I was in the back office on break, listening to the hockey game,” Matt said.

They got to his office and the cops poked their heads inside.

“Closed circuit?” Kyle asked, eyeing the monitor.

“Yep. For security.” Matt curled his fingers into his palm to keep calm. “It gives me a view of the main hallway.”

“You didn’t see the suspect break in?”

“No, he probably accessed the building while I was at my truck.” He feigned panic and looked at Kyle. “Man, I hope I don’t lose my job over this—I mean for not preventing the break-in.”

“If he was determined to get in, nothing would have stopped him,” Billings said.

Matt nodded. Was that subtext? A subtle warning?

“Continue,” Chief Billings said.

“So about ten thirty I went out to the truck.” He led them to the back door and swung it open. The three men ambled outside. “It wasn’t parked this close originally, but kids were finishing up basketball when I arrived at six. I figured as long as I was out here I’d repark closer to the building.”

“Besides the basketball league, who else was here tonight, Mr. Weller?” the chief asked.

“A yoga class, line dancing for seniors and the knitting club. They were all gone by nine.”

“Anyone else, perhaps employees working late?” Billings pushed.

Matt wondered if he’d seen Jenna North’s little blue car parked in the overflow lot. He had to play this just right, be as truthful as possible.

“I might have seen Jenna North earlier. She works for a foundation that leases space here.”

“I’ll look into it,” Kyle said.

Chief Billings eyed Matt speculatively, and he broke eye contact in his effort to act submissive and nonthreatening.

Innocent.