The Deep End

by Debra Purdy Kong

  “You go to my school,” Chad said, flashing a perfect smile. “I’ve seen you around.”

  Didi stepped out from behind Casey, clasping white-knuckled hands in front of her. She smiled through a deep red blush. “Seen you too.”

  As stimulating as this conversation was, Casey needed to get going. “Maybe you two could get something to eat after your shift next week, Chad.”

  He hesitated, but then shrugged. “Cool.”

  “Good,” Casey said. “We have to take off, but I’m sure Didi will remember next Saturday.”

  Didi’s mouth again fell open, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  “Okay.” He smiled a perfect smile at Didi. “See ya.”

  “See ya too.”

  Casey led a dazed Didi back to their table so the girl could collect her coat.

  “Chad seems nice.”

  The dreamy eyes became panicked. “Oh my god, oh my god! What will I talk about?”

  “Your teachers, kids at school, movies, plans for the future. Lots of stuff. Anyway, you have a whole week to think about it.”

  “That’s not enough time!”

  Be gentle with the Pixie, be gentle with the Pixie. This would be her mantra until she got that damn phone in the hands of police. “I’ll help you with ideas on the way to the police station.”

  “I can’t go now. I have to be home soon.”

  Oh, crap. “You know this is important, right?”

  A woman approached them, her face suspicious as she looked from Didi to Casey. “Didi? Who’s this?”

  “She’s Casey.”

  Double crap. “I’m a friend of Justin Sparrow’s grandmother,” Casey said. “Justin is a friend of Tanya North’s, who is a friend of Didi’s.”

  The suspicion deepened. The woman’s entire face began to resemble a gnarly tree knot whose many lines were broken only by eyes, nose, and mouth. “Justin is my son, and Didi’s my stepdaughter. What do you want with her?”

  Now the attitude made sense. “You must be Kirsten,” Casey replied, noting the woman’s trepidation. “I’m Casey Holland. I work with Amy Sparrow and I volunteer at Fraserview Youth Custody Services, which is how I know Justin.”

  “Oh. I see.”

  “Tanya asked me to tell Didi that she and Justin are doing okay, but that she really misses Didi.”

  Kirsten scratched the back of her head, ruffling the thin brown hair. “That’s hard to believe, when Tanya’s been so busy glomming on to my son and getting him in trouble.”

  If Kirsten cared that much, why wasn’t she doing more to help him? “They’re separated right now, and not likely to be reunited anytime soon.”

  “Good.” Kirsten turned to Didi. “As I’ve said before, you’re better off without her, sweetie. Tanya’s bad news.”

  Didi looked down. The girl probably never argued with her stepmother, or any adult.

  “Ready to go home?” Kirsten asked Didi.

  Didi glanced with uncertainty at Casey. “I, uh, should . . .”

  “Should what?” Kirtsen asked.

  Casey jumped in before the girl said too much. “She wanted some tips about how to talk to boys.”

  “From you?” Kirsten turned to Didi. “You should come to me, not strangers.”

  “Casey’s nice,” Didi said. “She wants to help.”

  Casey held her breath.

  “Nobody can help you better than me.” Kirsten’s piercing gaze zeroed in on Casey.

  “She’s right. Moms have a way of knowing these things.” Casey plastered on a friendly expression for Kirsten. “Which reminds me, have you been able to see Justin lately?”

  As Casey hoped, the woman seemed taken aback. “He’s a teenaged boy,” she snapped. “He doesn’t want his parents showing up and embarrassing him.”

  “Really.” Casey’s gaze hardened. “Is that what you tell yourself? Because I think Justin desperately needs a mom who’s got his back.”

  “I don’t have to take this shit.”

  Kirsten grabbed Didi by the arm, then stopped. When she turned around, Casey saw not only anger but also shame in her eyes. “You have no idea how complicated things are,” Kirsten began. “Carl believes that tough love makes kids strong.” She stroked Didi’s hair. “Which leaves me with difficult choices to make.” She bit down on her lip. “But don’t think for one minute that I don’t love my son. I know in my heart that Justin will be released and that he wouldn’t deliberately hurt anyone.” Her eyes glistened. “But I can’t tell Carl that, understand?”

  “I do.” But she wasn’t about to let Kirsten’s need for a harmonious marriage block Justin’s chance at freedom.

  “Come on, Didi,” Kirsten said. “Your dad wants dinner early.”

  Didi looked at Casey, then at the phone she’d left on the table. The phone was partially hidden behind the container of fries. Didi looked back up at Casey, gave a brief nod, then followed Kirsten out of the food court.

  Casey slipped Didi’s phone into her pocket. The girl might be a little slow, but she also had moments of brilliance. Once the footage came to light, all Didi would have to say was that Casey must have taken her phone, which she’d forgotten at the food court. And that she’d snooped through the phone and decided to take some old, forgotten footage to the cops, hoping for a reward or something.

  Casey smiled. Time to put things right.

  TWENTY-SIX

  CASEY PARKED IN THE STRIP mall opposite Fraserview’s entrance. She’d arrived just in time. A quick call to reception earlier had confirmed that Phyllis was working tonight and that her shift ended at 11:00 PM. It would be interesting to see if the old gal headed straight home or to a casino. Either way, Casey intended to question her.

  Approaching Phyllis in Fraserview’s parking lot would have saved time, but Casey didn’t want to be seen on the premises this late at night. Given the woman’s hints about the casino and the fact that she’d put Casey onto Mia, it was a safe bet that Phyllis wasn’t a fan or part of the drug ring. She was observant, though; probably knew more than she’d said about Mia’s relationship with Cruz and her home for aspiring drug dealers.

  Part of Casey wondered if she should have gone inside tonight. She hadn’t yet given Tanya’s message to Justin or told him about the footage. Truth was, the thought of contacting anyone in Fraserview, even to get Justin on the phone, made her nervous.

  After her meeting with Didi, she’d asked the police to meet her at the hospital. Once they finally arrived and saw the footage, then took Tanya’s statement, Casey contacted Amy.

  An emotional Amy had thanked her profusely. “They’ll have to release him right away, won’t they?”

  Casey had no idea. She hadn’t wanted to worry Amy further with revelations about the drug ring inside juvie. She’d confided that info only to the police, along with what she knew about Cruz, Mia, and the recruits. The problem was that Justin’s earlier escape could keep him inside long enough for Cruz to punish him for breaking their agreement. Based on the way the officers exchanged glances when she mentioned Cruz’s name, they knew the guy. If they’d already been investigating his connection to Fraserview, they hadn’t told her.

  Casey wasn’t sure Phyllis had told the police everything she knew either, but it would be good to find out. They needed to pool information. Once Phyllis learned that Mia and Cruz were on the cops’ radar, maybe she’d be more forthcoming.

  By the time Phyllis drove out of the parking lot, Casey was cold and tired, and relieved to finally be moving. Following Phyllis was easier than expected. Traffic was light as they headed north on Boundary Road, and Phyllis stuck to the speed limit in the slow lane.

  It would be great if she lived nearby. Lou was waiting up because he wasn’t thrilled about tonight’s mission. It took time to convince him that she had to do her part to ensure the corruption inside Fraserview was stopped, and whoever tried to kill Kendal was caught. The bottom line, she’d told him, was that if Phyllis did know more than she’
d said, she could be in danger as well.

  Phyllis turned right onto Lougheed Highway and headed east. After fifteen minutes of this, Casey began to wonder just how far away the woman lived. Finally, the Smart car turned left onto Gaglardi Way, a wide stretch of road that led up to Burnaby Mountain. God, they weren’t going all the way up there, were they? There were some residences at the top, adjacent to Simon Fraser University.

  At the base of the mountain, Phyllis made a right turn. Casey followed her into Coquitlam, and then Port Moody. Maybe this wasn’t such a good plan after all. What if Phyllis realized she was being tailed and had decided to take Casey for a joy ride? She knew the make of Casey’s car. Even if Casey managed to talk to her, Phyllis could take offense at being followed and refuse to say a damn thing. Still, there was no backing out now.

  Casey followed her in the slow lane down St. Johns Street in Port Moody, alert for signals or sudden turns. Phyllis moved into the fast lane, yet didn’t increase her speed. A pickup drove past Casey on the left, preventing her from also changing lanes. When she pulled in behind the pickup, she lost sight of Phyllis, until the Smart car wound up in one of two left-hand-turn lanes for Ioco Road.

  The light changed to green and Phyllis started to make her turn. Good lord, Zambonis turned faster than this. They crawled down the street, through two more sets of stoplights. As Phyllis approached the third light, she moved into the curb lane, then turned right into a condo and commercial complex. Phyllis started up the short road, made another right turn, and then stopped in front of a closed fish market. She probably lived in one of the condos above the shops. Casey pulled in beside her and saw Phyllis lean over and open the passenger-side door. So, she knew she’d been followed. Was this why Phyllis hadn’t taken a more direct route home? Had she been playing some sort of game to see if Casey stuck with her?

  As Casey slid in, she said, “When did you realize it was me?”

  “A while back.”

  She didn’t sound upset or even annoyed. Casey scanned the shops. The complex appeared to be one large square of ground-level shops with condos above. Just beyond the complex were high-rise structures. In the courtyard directly behind her, a building housed a bakery and a deli.

  “I gather you live in this complex?” Casey asked.

  Phyllis nodded as she lit a cigarette. “It’s a long drive to work, but I like Newport Village. It’s close to the library and parks.” She rolled down the window. “What’s this about then?”

  “I needed to talk to you away from Fraserview about how my friend Kendal wound up in an empty swimming pool.”

  Phyllis lowered her head. “Tragic, that. Will she be all right?”

  “The doctors don’t know. There’s brain damage. She’s in a coma.”

  Phyllis blew out a puff of smoke. “So much darkness. No light in sight.”

  Casey ignored the odd remark. “I’ve learned some disturbing things about Fraserview staff and a couple of residents, and I was wondering what you’ve heard, and what you saw the night Kendal fell.”

  “Not my place to say.”

  That attitude wasn’t going to cut it. “If anything immoral or criminal is going on in there, then it sure in hell is your place.”

  Phyllis blinked at Casey through those big lenses. “Criminal?”

  “I don’t believe that Mac and Winson’s deaths were accidents,” Casey replied. “I know that Mercedes’s uncle, Cristano Cruz, has been recruiting Fraserview residents to sell drugs after they’re released, and that certain staff are involved. Now I’m wondering if Mac found out and died before he could do something about it.”

  “It’s likely, all right. Some of those poor girls don’t stand a chance. Horrible.”

  “You’ve known about Cruz’s arrangement?”

  “Had my suspicions.”

  “Then maybe you could help me stop it,” Casey replied.

  “Enemies everywhere,” Phyllis mumbled. “Nothing can be done.”

  “Yes, there is,” Casey insisted. She was far too tired to put up with resistance. “Kendal might have seen or heard something about this drug business that she shouldn’t have, and someone tried to kill her because of it.” She shivered and rubbed her hands together. “I know that Amir found Kendal. I was also told that Mia was in the pool room before it happened, and that she had you mop the floor.”

  Phyllis looked at her. “I made sure that door was closed and locked after I left. Someone else opened it. Amir and Mia have keys.”

  “I’m sure they do.” Casey paused. “Why did you want me to know that Mia is a gambler?”

  Phyllis turned to her. “You don’t work at Fraserview. She can’t make your life hell for telling the executive director. He needs to know.”

  “Why would he listen to me?”

  “You have no agenda or history with Fraserview. And you’re clever enough to get proof.” Phyllis tapped her cigarette out the window. “Evil lurks in juvie walls. Those walls know everything and whisper to those who listen.”

  “And what have they whispered to you, Phyllis?”

  Phyllis didn’t respond right away. “Mac wanted Mia to get help, and she didn’t like that. Tore right into him, she did. Said she didn’t have a problem and that he should mind his own business.”

  Interesting. “Did they argue about anything else?”

  “That’s all I heard.” Phyllis stared out the windshield. “Desperation and addiction cause insanity. My Frank was an ugly drunk. Used his fists and his belt, he did. But I found hiding places, learned how to stay out of sight until he’d slept it off.”

  A frightening way to live. “So, Mia’s had a gambling addiction for a while?”

  “Must have.” Phyllis took another drag on her cigarette. “She gets calls. I’ve heard the excuses, her assuring people that she’ll get their money.” Phyllis inhaled deeply on the cigarette. As she blew the smoke out, she said, “Trying to make people happy can drive you crazy.” Phyllis looked out the windshield, her eyes unblinking. “Mia’s a bottomless well that can’t be filled. Forced her to turn to nasty folks.”

  “Like Cristano Cruz.”

  Phyllis tossed the cigarette out the window. “Some people aren’t meant to be in charge, are they? They live to control others . . . Order them about.”

  “I’ve been trying to locate Mia’s address but can’t find anything under her name,” Casey said. “There’s probably an address in her personnel file, but you’re the only person I can trust to search for it. Can you do that for me?”

  Phyllis nodded. “I traded shifts with someone and will be in before noon tomorrow.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it.” Casey removed a business card from her purse and wrote her cell number on it. She’d been counting on Phyllis’s help, especially if it meant getting the acting director removed from her position before she could fire employees. “Now, about Kendal. Did you see Amir go in the pool room?”

  “Can’t say I did.”

  “What do you know about his personal life?”

  Phyllis gave a little laugh. “Which one?”

  Just as she thought. Rawan’s secret wasn’t as well kept as she hoped. How many other staff knew about him and Rawan? “Did Winson and Mac know about Amir’s dual life?”

  Phyllis gave Casey a long look. “The walls whispered to Mac too.”

  And what he heard might have gotten him killed. “Was Oksana in the pool room the night Kendal fell?”

  “Ask her, luv.”

  “You know she won’t tell me anything. I’m sure she’s hiding something.” Casey fixed her gaze on Phyllis. “Is she?”

  Phyllis stared at her. “If you must know, Oksana kept extra food in the pool room. Snuck it home when she thought it was safe. Can’t blame her, really. She barely earns enough to support her family.”

  If anyone had spotted Oksana stealing, it would have been Kendal. She caught thieves for a living, for crying out loud. She knew all the tricks, would have recognized the signs. Damn.

&n
bsp; “Did Mac know she was stealing?”

  “I expect so.”

  “And Winson?”

  Phyllis shrugged. “Possibly.”

  “Please call my cell as soon as you have Mia’s address.”

  Although the police were probably in full investigation mode where Mia was concerned, a little recon mission could definitely help the cause. Besides, she wanted to see firsthand if Mia really did house former Fraserview residents.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  CASEY STOPPED POUNDING THE KEYS on her laptop when Lou stepped out of their bedroom and tucked his clean uniform shirt into his pants. She loved that he didn’t mind doing the laundry or ironing, including her things. He’d even learned to stop throwing her underwear in with his work pants.

  “Will you be home when I get back?” he asked, with a touch of caution.

  “Yeah. I need to finish an essay.” But that wasn’t what had her typing so frantically. She didn’t want to tell Lou that she was compiling a suspect list. He hadn’t been thrilled to hear how far she’d had to drive to question Phyllis last night. Lou made it clear he didn’t want her traipsing after people alone at night anymore. If she hadn’t been tailing a senior puttering along in a Smart car, his point would have been more valid.

  This morning, Lou had been cordial as he busied himself with the laundry and other chores, but she could tell he was still a little ticked. A new rift had fractured their harmony and she didn’t know how to fix it, at least not until Justin was safe and a killer in jail. Why make things worse by sharing her suspect list with him or revealing that she intended to scope out Mia’s place?

  “What else have you got planned for today?” he asked.

  Staring at her computer screen, Casey scrambled for something to say. “A trip to the grocery store.”

  “We’re pretty well stocked.”

  “I know, but I was thinking of cooking a roast beef and Yorkshire pudding dinner. I haven’t cooked a traditional Sunday dinner in ages.”