Enemy Match Chapter 8

Enemy Match

Chapter 8

Ok, so someone stole your car from school, I muttered. Someone wanted to frame you for hitting Raj last night. Someone is definitely playing hardball.

I turned to Raj, did you get a look at who was driving?

No, Raj said with a sigh. I just saw the car as it hit me and I went flying off onto the road. I just assumed it as Jake.

I swear it wasn’t me, Jake remarked.

Then, I am sorry I accused you, Raj said, turning to him.

Jake nodded. I have to go, he said. The police want to talk to me about the car.

Very well, I said. But how did you get here?

I took a taxi, he said. I went to your house first, but you weren’t there, he said to Raj. Then I came here. My uncle owns a taxi so he didn’t charge me. I’m going to call him to come back and get me.

I’ll drive you, I offered. If you give me a few minutes to get dressed.  I wouldn’t mind being there when you talk to the police about your car.

I think I will stay here, Raj said glancing at his bandaged knee. I don’t really want to go home yet, no one is there. And my knee still hurts.

That’s fine, buddy, I said. You rest here and I’ll be back shortly. I turned to Jake. I’ll be back in two minutes.

I raced up to my room and pulled on cargo shorts and another t-shirt. I grabbed a pair of socks off the floor and pulled them on, then went back downstairs. I told Mom where I was going then went to put on my red high tops. Raj spoke up then. I do not know why you are so hard on my friend Justin, here. He is not responsible for your friend Daryl Peters getting poisoned. I think that Daryl is turning you against Justin and us, his friends. I do not know why this is?

Jake bit his lower lip and was hesitating as to what to say.

Its OK, I said pulling on my left shoe. Jake and Daryl are friends and we all know Daryl doesn’t like me and Jake is just being loyal.

Jake nodded. I don’t know why Daryl hates you guys, he said finally. But I think I may have misjudged you. Look, I’m sorry I burst in here like this. I thought you guys were out to get me—get me arrested then I would be thrown off the team—I’m already suspended for a few days thanks to you, he added glaring at me. I still might be let go from the team—depends on Detmar.

We’re not trying to get anyone thrown off the team, I said as I pulled my other high top sneaker on. Someone is behind this vendetta and that someone probably stole your car. Lets go see if we can find it.

We headed out the door to my SUV parked in the driveway. Jake got in the passenger side and put on his seatbelt. As we pulled out of the drive he turned to me. I don’t know why you’re helping me, he said but I appreciate it, Macdonald.

I’m helping you because that’s what I do. This thing between Daryl and me has been going on for years. You’ve only been here the last few months and Daryl has been talking trash about me to you ever since you got here so naturally you believe him. I must seem like a real jackass to you and the team.

Jake was silent so I knew I was right.

We arrived at Port Salser Collegiate about 5 minutes later. A police car and another car were parked outside the tech section at the back of the school. The gym was next to the tech section—the gym where I trounced Daryl Peters.

That must be Mr. DeVries car, Jake said getting out of the SUV. I got out and we headed to the door to the tech wing. Officer Canning was waiting for us. He saw me and smirked.

What are you doing here, Justin? He asked good naturedly as he led us down the hallway to the auto shop.

Helping with your investigation, I said nonchalantly.

Yeah, OK, Canning said.

We found Mr. DeVries talking to another officer in the auto shop. Officer Manheim was a young woman, only a few years older than me. She was also new to the Port Salser force. She had long blond hair pulled back in a ponytail. She nodded to me and smiled as we went through the door. I think she had a little bit of a crush on me. Who could blame the woman, really?

I smiled back, then glanced around the room. There were a couple of car frames and another car on a lift. Jake’s Cavalier wasn’t there. An  empty spot was evident on a second lift.

So my car’s been stolen, how could this happen? Jake said, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

We don’t know, Mr. DeVries said glancing between Jake and me. W-what are you doing here, Justin? He asked. DeVries was an older man short in stature, with longish grey hair and a goatee. He had piercing dark eyes.

I came along to see if I could help.

The police have it under control. You don’t need to be here, he added, glancing at Canning. Does he?

That’s OK, Justin has an understanding with the local police not to interfere. He’s only trying to help, Canning remarked and I nodded. His father is a well known and well respected private investigator so this kind of stuff isn’t new to Justin.

DeVries was unconvinced but refrained from commenting further. He seemed a little nervous—why was that?

We’ve put a report out there, Officer Manheim said. We have our officers combing the city for the car. Hopefully when we find it we can get some fingerprints and see who was driving last night.

Why, what happened last night? DeVries said.

Canning spoke up. Raj Mistry—a student here at PSC—and Justin’s friend, was struck and was knocked from his bike by someone driving Mr. Prestwick’s car last evening. He was not badly hurt, but he could have been. We’re treating this seriously. Whoever stole the car and was driving is in a lot of trouble.

Why would someone steal Jake’s car, then knock someone off their bike? DeVries said with a hint of skepticism.

We don’t know, I said. But if we find out who stole the car, then we might find the answer to that.

Who else has access to the auto shop, besides you, Mr. DeVries? I asked.

DeVries just stared at me a moment. Do I have to answer his questions? He said finally, looking at Canning.

No, you don’t, but now I’m asking the question, Canning said.

DeVries gulped. Only me and Coach Detmar. We have access to this wing as the gym is just next door.

Lyle Detmar?, Canning said, making a note in his book.

Y-yes, DeVries said. He and I have a key to this wing and the auto shop room is not locked.

So, whoever stole the car probably came in here with the key to the wing, unlocked the outside door and took the car outside, then locked everything back up? I asked, eyeing the roll up garage door on the back side of the building.

DeVries was silent and bit his lip and looked at Canning. Yes, he said, finally. That’s what it looks like. But you’re not accusing either me or Lyle of stealing the car? That’s ludicrous!

Not at present, Mr. DeVries Canning remarked then turned to Manheim. We’ll have a talk with Lyle Detmar, he said.

Can I come along? I asked, eyebrows raised.

I don’t see a problem, Manheim said with a grin but Canning grunted. Sure, he said finally.

I turned to Jake. You got a ride home? Or do you want me to drive you home now. I’d like to look for your car.

Why are you helping me? He asked again. After the way I treated you and your friends.

Because I want to find the scumbag who nearly killed Raj, I said evenly.

I can get a ride with my uncle, Jake remarked.

I headed to the door with Manheim. As we left the room I heard DeVries say, I thought Raj wasn’t hurt too badly.

He wasn’t, I said turning back around. But he very nearly was. I have a feeling whoever stole the car did it to frame Jake. The same person or persons is responsible for hacking into my Facebook page and inciting animosity between me and Jake and his friends. Daryl Peters in particular.

You don’t think someone did all this because of you, DeVries said with a wry chuckle. Who do you think you are?

I glanced between Canning and Jake. I could see DeVries wasn’t too impressed with my detective career either. Was I really that arrogant?

Maybe not, I said finally. You’re right, Mr. DeVries. Someone stole Jake’s car because it was a valuable model, and they figured they could get a lot of money for it and in the meantime, they nearly run down a friend of mine—a hit and run by the way.

That’s not what—.

I know what you meant, Mr. DeVries, I said with a sigh.

Come on, Justin, let’s go, Manheim said from the doorway.

I followed her out into the corridor. Don’t let it bother you, what people say, Officer Manheim remarked.

I don’t, I said. But I wasn’t totally convinced I didn’t.

The trip to Detmar’s place was uneventful. I followed Manheim in her cruiser since I didn’t know where Detmar lived—exactly. I knew he lived in the apartments over on Pine St in the west end of town.

As we pulled up in front of the building a familiar person came out the front door.

Marcus Bricker.

He stiffened when he saw the police cruiser and headed up the street in a sudden panic.

I’ll talk to him, I offered as Manheim nodded toward the rapidly departing figure. I took off after Marcus as Officer Manheim approached the apartment building.

Marcus! I called out but the guy ignored me. He broke into a run and I took off after him.

About a block further he suddenly stopped and turned around to face me, he was breathing hard and sweating. What do you want, Macdonald?

I came up to him and stopped in front of him. Before I realized what was happening his fist lashed out and smashed me right on the nose!