Finding Jaime

Chapter 37

"Cool. You can be our lookout then," Frank said.

"For what?" I asked.

"Nothing major. Just got an idea for this afternoon. Might make us a bit of decent scratch," Frank said.

I sighed.

"Yeah. Okay. Maybe."

We finished eating lunch and I could feel the eyes of people on me as I left the cafeteria with the guys. I couldn't wait for this to die down.

The rest of the afternoon went by as usual. When the afternoon bell rang we met at the front of the school and got into Frank's beat up old car.

We drove to the pier and parked. I followed the guys and we went into a small restaurant. Frank greeted the owner in Spanish and they chatted for a minute. The owner nodded, waved Frank away and turned back to the grill.

"Have a seat boys, Frankie is taking care of you," he smiled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"Jorge is gonna give us an afternoon snack. Sit down, and try to enjoy yourself, Clarke," Frank smiled.

I shrugged and joined the guys at a table. Jorge brought over Cokes for all of us, and then a platter of nachos and some soft shell tacos.

We ate and joked around.

"Graçias, Jorge!" Frank called out as we got up to leave.

"Get outta here Franco!" Jorge smiled at him. "Keep yourself outta trouble for once, woukdja!"

"Jorge," Frank said, putting his hand on his chest as if he were wounded. "You say that as if I'm a trouble maker at heart."

Jorge shot him a look and we all burst out laughing.

The four of us left the restaurant and we followed Frank. Along the streets.

He turned down a street just off the main area and then down an alleyway.

"Clarke, you stay at the end there. Justin and Emanuel will help me down here."

I stopped.

"What are you doing, Frank?" I asked.

"Just adding to my collection.  Just be chill. And if you see a cop, call out and let us know."

"Frank, come on. This is dumb," I said.

"You suddenly a goody two shoes?" Frank frowned at me.

"No," I said. Frank walked over to me and scrutinized me.

"Beverley Hills softening you up?  Because I don't recall you being this much of a wimp two weeks ago."

"Dude, no," I frowned.

Frank sighed.

"Look, I got an order from a collector. And I happen to know that what he's looking for is down here. Just don't look conspicuous."

I looked at Frank. Conspicuous? What's conspicuous about a teenager on crutches standing on a corner doing nothing? 

"Whatever dude," I said. "I'll be here."

"Good. Just keep an eye out for cops. Or rockstars," he smiled.

He went back to Justin and Emanuel and they disappeared around the corner.

I kept looking up and down the street, making it look like I was just hanging about, waiting for someone. I had my phone out and was scrolling social media when I heard a shout from the alley.

Shit. Had I missed something?

Frank, Justin and Emanuel came tearing out of the alleyway with two hubcaps between the three of them.

"Book it, Clarke!" Frank shouted as he ran past me. A very fit man was chasing the three of them. I turned and started crutching away as soon as Frank had shouted to. But a hand grabbed me by the back of my t-shirt. Shit.

"Gotcha you little thief."

"I didn't do nothing!" I said.

"You can tell the cops what you weren't doing!" The guy said, calling 911 on his phone and talking to the dispatcher. I was sunk. I couldn't run away. Stupid broken leg. Frank, Justin and Emanuel were long gone. Those assholes.

A cop car pulled up and the cop got out and started questioning me about the hubcaps. I denied knowing anything and claimed I thought the guys were going to beat me up. That I thought they were coming to chase me.

The cop wasn't sure he believed me and put me in his car and drove me to the station. I clammed up. Dad was gonna be pissed.