Even though I’d promised Jack I wouldn’t drive around and look for the guy, I still did. It had been three weeks since the assault, and I couldn’t sit there and do nothing when I knew that I was the only one who would recognize the jerk the moment I laid eyes on him. I imagined seeing him on the street and wondered what I’d do, not having the faintest idea.

Which was exactly why Jack was better at being bad than I was. He knew exactly what he’d do, and he’d do it without hesitation.

He scoured the Internet every night, searching all the resale websites, and visited every pawn shop in the area personally, describing the camera and asking them to keep an eye out. I’d also looked online, checking out Craigslist for not only our county, but the next two counties over, just in case the guy was smarter than we’d given him credit for.

I’d avoided telling Gran what happened that night and she never asked, but I had a sneaking suspicion that she somehow knew anyway. She was psychic like that.

After that weekend, I’d convinced Jack to stop only hanging out at Cassie’s place and to bring her by the house more. Not that I didn’t want to go over there and see Melissa, but I’d asked him more for our grandparents’ sake¸ knowing that they missed him and would never ask him themselves.

He’d done as I asked, which thrilled Gran and Gramps. They loved it when we were all at home, and adding Cassie to the mix was icing on the cake. Gran said it was too quiet when we were gone, and I wondered how lonely she’d be once Jack got drafted. Granted, I’d still be living there, but it wouldn’t be the same. Jack had always been the louder one.

My cell phone rang as I sat reading a textbook on my bed. I didn’t recognize the number. “Hello?”

“Is this Dean Carter?”

I stopped reading and placed the book to my side. “Yes?”

“This is Officer Santos from the Fullton State Police Department,” he said, as if I wouldn’t remember who he was.

“I remember you. Did you get him?”

“We got him,” he said with a smile in his voice. “He was trying to pawn the camera he’d stolen. He’s at the downtown station. Do you think you could come here and ID him?”

I sat up immediately and hopped to my feet. “I’ll be right there.”

“Great. Thanks.”

I grabbed my keys and jumped into Gran’s car. Once I arrived at the station, I dialed Jack’s phone before I left the car, knowing that he’d be in the middle of his new after-practice ritual of driving the streets, looking for the guy.

His breathing was heavy when he answered. “What’s up?”

“They got him,” I said, cutting straight to the chase.

“The guy?”

“They caught him trying to pawn Cassie’s camera. He’s in jail. I have to head down there to identify him.” I hoped he could hear the relief in my voice.

“Can I get her camera for her?” Before I could answer, he asked, “Do you want me to come with you? I should probably come with you.” His tone turned defensive, and I knew he wanted to see the guy for himself.

“I’ll find out about the camera when I get there, but I think it’s evidence now, so she probably can’t have it back yet,” I told him. “I’m in the police parking lot now, so I’ll just head in and identify him. You should go tell Cassie they got him.”

“I will. Thanks, and be careful,” he said.

“It’s fine. I’ll call you after.”

I shoved the phone in my pocket and sucked in a breath as I walked through the station’s glass doors. A woman sat behind a reception desk in the waiting room, finishing up a call as I headed toward her.

“Can I help you?” she asked when she put down the phone.

“I’m Dean Carter. Officer Santos asked me to come down to identify a suspect.”

“Have a seat, please.” She pointed toward the row of chairs. “I’ll be right back.”

I sat down and tapped my feet, my nerves stretched taut as I waited for her to return. I definitely wasn’t looking forward to seeing this guy again. Just being here brought back unpleasant memories.

The glass doors swung open, and I was surprised when Brett walked in.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

He gave me a friendly slap on the back before sitting next to me. “Jack told me they got the guy. Thought I could help identify him.”

“Cool. Thanks. How was Jack?”

Brett blew out a breath. “Mixed. He seemed relieved, but I think he wanted to catch the guy before the cops did.”

“That wouldn’t have been a good thing.”

He nodded. “I know. We all tried to tell him that, but he’s unreasonable when it comes to Cassie.”

“Nah, he’s just in love. And Jack’s protective of people he cares about,” I said, used to defending my brother’s level of intensity.

The receptionist seemed surprised to see Brett when she came back to the waiting room. “Oh, now there’s two of you? I’ll let Officer Santos know. He should be right out.”

Brett and I made small talk as we waited for Santos. I wondered what the hell was taking so long; it wasn’t as if the station was busy. No sooner had the thought entered my mind than the doors to my right swung open.

Officer Santos stepped toward us, his hand extended, “Dean. Brett. Good to see you again. You’re looking much better than the last time I saw you,” he said to me with a nod.

“Thanks.”

“Follow me,” Santos said, and we trailed behind.

He led us down a long corridor and into a viewing room. A large pane of glass that I hoped was a one-way mirror was inset in one of the walls, and five guys stood on the other side of it, looking like they’d rather be anywhere else than here.

Officer Santos explained how things would work. “You can see them, but they can’t see you. They know you’re in here, though. Just let me know if you recognize—”

“Three,” Brett and I both blurted at the same time.

Officer Santos nodded before pressing a button on the wall. “You can send them back, thanks.” He turned toward us and shook his head with a grin. “You didn’t even let me do the fun part.”

“What part was that?” I asked.

“Asking them to step forward, turn to the left, then to the right. It’s the only part that makes them really nervous.”

“Sorry. I’d rather just get this all over with,” I admitted, although the idea of torturing the prick sounded fun in a sadistic, vengeful way.

“I understand. Thank you both for coming in.”

Officer Santos walked us out the door and when I asked about Cassie’s camera, told me that it was state’s evidence now and it had to stay with them until after the trial, which could be months.

Cassie would hate hearing that, but I felt a little better knowing that Jack was going to buy her a new one, even if she claimed to not want one.

As Brett and I pushed through the doors and walked into the warm night, I said, “I’m so glad that’s behind us.”

Brett laughed. “You and me both.”

“Thanks for coming down, man.”

“Anytime. See ya at school.”

We gave each other a knuckled fist bump before heading in opposite directions.

Personally, I was just thankful the piece of shit was behind bars and couldn’t hurt anyone anymore. I was also glad the cops had found him before Jack did.