"We'll take her to a safe house and tell DCFS that she is in protective custody." Said Hank.
"No thanks." Said Abi and started to walk away because Hank had let her go.
"You don't really get a say in this." I said.
"Actually, I do. You don't get to shove me in some safe house."
"Sorry, I'm late. Trudy asked me to do something." Said Hailey as she walked down the pathway.
"It's rude to be late." Said Abi.
"And who is this?" Asked Hailey as she smiled at the girl.
"No one." Replied Abi and she kept on waking down the driveway.
"You can't just catch a cab and leave."
"Okay. And why not?"
"You could be in danger."
"Why? Because my nan didn't just die in her sleep, she was murdered. Yeah, I know. She had no illnesses."
"She was old." Said Kim.
"Not old enough."
"You are a smart kid."
"Thanks. Now please solve the murder and keep me out of it."
"Did she have issues with anyone?"
"Did my sixty-four year old nan, who plays mahjong on the weekends and bakes cupcakes for her elderly group as well as for me, have any issues with anyone? No, not that I can think of."
"She's got a lovely attitude." Said Hailey.
"Aw, you're so sweet." Sighed Abi and rolled her eyes.
Abi is a young fifteen year old girl, who (by what I can tell) loves to wear baggie tops and jeans or appropriate crop tops and jeans. There's not many pictures of her wearing anything else. She has long blonde hair that has been highlighted in places and she has a ring on one finger that looks like vines.
"Listen, kid. We are trying to do what is best for you, so I suggest that you shut up and listen to us. Unless you want to end up like your grandma over there." Snapped Hailey.
Kim and I just looked at Hailey with shock written over our faces. Why would she say that to a kid?
"You done with your little speech?" Said Abi as she fought back tears.
"No. I get that your dad has left you and you feel like you have to keep this barrier up around you but we are trying to help you."
"My dad did not leave me. He was the one person in my life that actually cared. So you need to sort out whatever issue you have with your father and you need to keep mine out of it! Do you understand?" Snapped Abi.
"Hey, Abi. How about we take you back to the district for now?" Asked Hank and looked down to the girl.
Abi wasn't short but she was shorter than most of us. She was probably around Kim's height, about 5'6.
"Sure." She said.
"Okay. You can go in my car or Jay's car."
"Who's Jay?" She asked.
"I am." I said and waved.
"Who's in his car?"
"That would be me." Said Kim.
"Okay. I'll go with you guys."
"Okay. C'mon then. Do you have everything you need?" I asked her.
"I have some homework I need to complete which is in my room."
"Okay. I'll grab that and I'll give it to you at the District." Said Hank and Abi nodded in agreement.
When we got to the district, she walked straight up to Trudy and gave her a smile.
"Hello." Said Trudy.
"Hi, I'm Abi. You look good behind the desk. It makes you look more powerful than the old man."
"Are you referring to Hank Voight?"
"Yeah. He's nice though."
"Yeah he is. Are you Abi Smith?"
"Yeah, at your service."
"You're funny, kid. You might have better humour than half the people on the team."
"Nope. It's just attitude." Said Hailey and walked past the two.
"C'mon Abi." I said and she followed Antonio upstairs.
Abi was sat in the breakroom for a couple of hours doing homework, so I went to check on her and ask if she wanted anything to eat or drink.
"Hey, kid."
"Hey." She responded except it wasn't like how she was earlier.
"What's up?"
"Oh nothing. Just hard homework."
"What is it?"
"English. We have to read the extract given and then pick out quotes and expand them."
"I was awful at English but I'll get Kevin to help you."
"Okay. Thanks."
Kevin tried helping her but it was no use so she just stuffed the paper back into her book and then went onto her phone.
It's difficult because we don't know Abi very well. We just know that she likes skateboarding, doesn't have many friends and has no family. I think Hank feels the same as me. He wants to look after her but it's hard because we've only just met her and she keeps her guard up.
"How's the English coming along?" I asked.
"Bad. She keeps writing down the wrong words or spelling them wrong." Replied Kevin.
"Is she dyslexic?" Hank asked.
"I'm not sure." Kevin responded.
Hank went into his office and pulled out some piece of coloured plastic. He walked into the breakroom and handed it to Abi before taking a seat across from her and pulling out her English homework.
He didn't come out till an hour later with a very happy Abi.
"Thanks for the help." She said to Hank and then walked downstairs with some files.
"Where is she going?" Adam asked.
"To take some files to Trudy and in return, I gave her some money for the vending machine."
"Hank, get her some real food." Said Hailey.
"Yeah. We are all hungry. So why don't you take her out to maccies or some other fast food place and get us food." Said Adam.
"We'll all put in some cash." Said Antonio.
"Okay. Get on with the case. I'll be back in about half an hour. Text me what you want."
"What place are you going to?" I asked.
"Slim Chicken?" He suggested.
"Yesss!" Cheered everyone.
"He likes her." I said to Kim.
"Yeah. I think they've got a special bond." Replied Kim.
"They are very similar." Said Antonio.
"How?" I asked.
"They've both lost everyone in their lives. We are just his work mates or just his team, he has no family."
"He has a grandson." I said.
"In a difference state." Said Kevin.
"I don't think she has any friends. I'm not being rude but I don't think she does." Said Adam.
"She might have one or two." Said Hailey.
"Nope. She didn't even give us real names from school. I searched them up to possibly ask if they knew anything about Abi or her grandmother but they don't exist." Said Adam.
"She'll find them, eventually." Said Antonio.
"You two better look after her." Said Trudy as she looked at me.
"Who?"
"You and Hank. You too, Kevin."
"We will." Kevin said.
"We all will." Said Antonio, looking at Hailey specifically.