No Good Deed - Marie Sexton Page 0,47
asking Gray to forgive him, or to at least talk to him, but never heard back. Maybe if Charlie had volunteered to give Jonas up. Maybe if he’d promised to never see him again, but he wasn’t willing to do that.
Jonas made him happy. He was tired of feeling like he had to apologize for that.
On Saturday morning, as Charlie debated making pancakes, somebody rang his doorbell. He found a police officer on his front doorstep. Two more hung back, midway down the sidewalk. One looked like he should have been behind a desk—overweight and out of breath, even though he was only standing there. The other was young and full of attitude, smirking at Charlie’s rainbow windsocks. Lazy and Cocky, two of Denver PD’s finest.
Great.
“Are you Charles Garcia?” the one on the porch asked.
“I am.”
“I’m Officer Murphy. I wondered if we could have a few minutes of your time.”
Charlie debated. He wasn’t one of those people who thought all cops were the enemy. He knew better than that. It was possible they’d come by because a crime had been committed in the neighborhood and they only wanted to ask if Charlie had heard or seen anything unusual. But if that were the case, why bring backup? Cops in his precinct rode singly, not in pairs, due to budgeting restrictions. Three of them meant they had an agenda.
Sometimes cops knocked on his door wanting information on local gang members, which Charlie never shared. Once, more than a decade past, they’d asked him to help determine which of his neighbors were in the country illegally. He’d told them the truth—he never asked his neighbors their immigration status, and even if he knew, he sure as hell wasn’t going to share that information with the police.
Charlie crossed his arms and leaned against his doorframe. It was frigid outside, especially considering he wore only a robe and his boxers. “What can I help you with?”
Murphy gestured to the house. “Can we come inside? It’ll only take a few minutes.”
“If it’ll only take a few minutes, we can do it here.”
Murphy tossed Cocky a look—one that said, “Told you so.” “Charles. You go by Charlie, right?”
“‘Mr. Garcia’ is fine.”
The cop smirked at him. “Well, Charlie. We’re here about a report that you’ve been distributing prescription meds. Do you know anything about that?”
Charlie’s heart kicked into overdrive. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“We were told you provide medical care in an unlicensed clinic, and that you distribute prescription medication. You’re saying you don’t know anything about that?”
Charlie had known for years this was a possibility. It was a miracle it’d taken this long for somebody to show up, asking questions.
“I’m an RN,” Charlie said. “Sometimes people come to me for medical help.”
“You’re not a doctor.”
“Never claimed to be.”
“Are you aware it’s illegal to provide medical care without a license?”
“I’m not providing medical care. They come to me for free advice, and I give it.”
“‘Advice’? You’re saying you never provide medical care?”
Charlie shrugged. “Sometimes they have a cut or a burn that needs bandaged. That’s something I was trained to do as an RN. There’s nothing illegal about dressing a wound for free.”
“And how often does this free treatment you provide include prescription drugs?”
“Never.”
“You’re saying you’ve never given out prescription drugs?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
Officer Murphy put his shoulders back, thumbs tucked into his equipment belt. “Charlie, how about you let us in? If we can take a look around, maybe we can put these ugly rumors to bed.”
Charlie pretended to consider. “Nah. I have a guest. You know how it is.”
“You’re refusing to let us look around?”
“I know my rights.”
Murphy grinned, smug and sure of himself. “Look, Charlie. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. It’ll go a lot better for you down the road if cooperate with us now.”
“I’ll pass, thanks. But you all have a nice day now.”
Murphy stopped him before he could close the door. He’d clearly been expecting this. He reached into his coat and pulled out a piece of paper.
“Mr. Garcia, I have a search warrant here authorizing me to search the premises for illegally obtained prescription drugs.”
Charlie’s jaw dropped, and his heart with it. He’d assumed they’d talk first—just ask questions and maybe come back with a warrant later. The fact that they’d already obtained one didn’t bode well.
Charlie stood aside as they trumped in—Murphy, Lazy, and Cocky. Jonas emerged from the bedroom, still rubbing sleep from his confused eyes. “What’s going on?”
Cocky gave