mumbled.
Jinx stood only about six feet tall, but his attitude loomed at a good ten. When unshaven, like today, and as long as he didn’t smile and flash his dimples, he was intimidating.
“Say it like you mean it,” Jinx snarled.
Jimmy Wayne averted his eyes and drew a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”
Jinx tilted his head to the side and took a little of the edge off his voice. “That’s better. Do you know who I am?”
The kid took a step backwards and stared down at the ground. “You the law?”
“Look at me, boy,” Jinx demanded and Jimmy Wayne did. “No, I am not the law. I’m the guy who doesn’t give a crap about you or a rat’s ass about your rights or your age. What I do care about is my time. I don’t like to waste it.” He stepped closer to Jimmy. “I’m going to ask you some questions and I want answers. You understand?”
“Yeah.”
Jinx dipped his head down. “What?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Now, somebody wrapped a house on Browning Street early Saturday morning and I think you know who did it. I don’t care about the wrapping. I’m interested in what they may have seen during their little paper party.”
Jimmy Wayne’s eyes brightened. “They’re not in trouble?”
“No.” Jinx glanced at his watch.
Jimmy stuck his hands in his pockets. “Okay. Me, Denny, and Lance wrapped the house. But we didn’t see nuthin.’”
“You know where the Texas Ranger lives?”
“Yeah.”
Jinx cupped his ear. “What?”
“Yes sir.”
“Much better. What time did your activity take place?”
“Don’t tell my momma, okay? Me and Denny spent the night at Lance’s house, and we snuck out.”
A screen door slammed and Mrs. Higgins stepped onto the porch. “Hi, Tizzy. Is Jimmy in trouble?”
Tizzy reassured her with a smile. “No, no, Mrs. Higgins. We just want to talk to Jimmy Wayne about something.”
“Okay,” she said, eyeing Jinx.
He stepped forward and dimpled her. “Hello, Mrs. Higgins. I’m Jinx Monroe, Sugarpie and Sam’s son. I want to talk to Jimmy about mowing my Nana’s yard.”
“Oh, thank you. He’d appreciate the work. Tell your mom hello for me,” she said, turned and went back inside.
Jinx focused on Jimmy again. “While y’all wrapped, any cars go by?”
“Yeah, I mean, yes, sir. Two trucks. A white one and a black one.”
“Did you see the drivers?”
The boy shook his head. “We thought the white truck was the Ranger, so we ducked down behind some bushes.”
“You didn’t notice anything. License plate? Bumper sticker? Damage to either truck? Could you tell if a man or woman was driving?”
“No—sir.”
“What about the model and make of the trucks? Full size or compact?”
“When I saw ’em coming, I crouched down and didn’t look again. All I know is one was white and one was black.”
Jinx moved away from Jimmy Wayne and studied him for a second. “Okay. Thanks for your help.” Jinx started to leave, but stopped and turned back to the boy. “Oh, you want to mow my Nana’s yard?”
Jimmy smiled. “Sure—sir.”
“Fine. She’s Mrs. McAlister. Lives out on Lavender Road. You know the place?”
Jimmy Wayne nodded.
“You got transportation?”
He hung his head. “No, sir.”
Jinx put his hand in his jeans pocket and pulled out his key. “I’ll send somebody for you. How about Wednesday after school?”
Jimmy Wayne’s face lit up. “Wednesday’s good.”
“Be ready at four.” Jinx walked back to his bike, straddled the seat, and turned the engine. The women got in the car, waited for Jinx to pull out, and followed him across the tracks.
Once they arrived back at Tizzy’s house, she looked at Jinx. “That was nice what you did for Jimmy.”
“What? Give him a job to work his ass off? You know how big Nana’s yard is. He’ll be there a while.”
“Yeah, still—it was nice,” Tizzy said, and saw Synola’s eyes soften.
“Where does the Scroggins boy live?” Jinx asked.
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