Silent Night: A Spenser Holiday Novel by Robert B. Parker Read Free Book Online Page B

Chickenshit stuff.”
    “Still,” I said. “Hard to believe, with all the crack security around here.”
    He straightened up again and leaned into my face. “Screw you, Jack,” he said. “It all happens out on the street somewhere. Never had a problem in the yard or in the premises.”
    “It’s Spenser,” I said. “And I think you mean ‘on the premises.’ Any idea who might be harassing the kids?”
    Frankie folded his arms across his chest. I had a feeling we were experiencing his entire repertoire of poses.
    “Don’t know, don’t care. Kids go out on the city streets and some get into fights. That’s a big fucking news flash. Especially with these turds. This ain’t exactly a collection of altar boys.”
    “I’m sensing you’re not a big fan of Street Business.”
    “You think? Best thing anyone could do is run these pissants off and take a wrecking ball to the place. Or maybe lock them in here and bring in the wrecking ball.”
    “So you’re not a believer in Jackie’s mission to help kids?”
    Frankie shook his head. “Guy’s got his head up his ass. He thinks if he clothes and feeds street kids they’ll grow up and save the world. Christ, these kids are animals. You dress ’em up and give ’em three squares a day, they’re still animals. Just as likely to kill Jackie in his bed as anything.”
    “So you just give up and let them be animals?”
    “You let their families take care of them. That’s the way I was brought up.”
    “And if they don’t have family?” Hawk asked. Until then he had been silent, and his question startled Frankie.
    Frankie recovered. “That’s bullshit. Everyone’s got family. If the parents aren’t around, there are aunts and uncles and grandparents. And if there aren’t any relatives, send ’em back where they came from.”
    “Your boss aware of your enlightened views of his brother and his work?” I said.
    “You ask him straight, I bet he’d agree with me. Juan Alvarez is one tough sonovabitch. He started with nothing and clawed his way to the top. No one gave him any handouts. He had his family and himself, and that’s it. And family is everything to Mr. Alvarez. He looks out for his own. I seen the way he supports his mother and his brothers and sisters. Especially Jackie.”
    “Especially Jackie?”
    “Yeah.” Frankie shook his head. “From what I hear, Jackie’s the black sheep. Always getting into trouble. Mr. Alvarez promised his mother that he’d take Jackie under his wing, straighten him out. When Jackie decides he wants to start this Romper Room, Mr. Alvarez sets him up and supports him, just like he promised Mama.”
    “Doesn’t Alvarez support a bunch of charities around Boston? Street Business seems to fit with that.”
    Frankie unfolded his arms and put them behind his back. Experimenting with a new pose. Conversational Frankie. Daring.
    “Mr. Alvarez donates to groups that have been around a long time, that have a track record. Places that do things you can point to. Stuff connected to his businesses. Lot better places to put money than this rat hole.”
    “You ever consider following the kids around, try to find out who’s bothering them?”
    “Yeah, right.” Frankie flashed the might-be-a-sneer, might-be-a-grin look at Hawk. Hawk showed nothing. The look disappeared. “I do what Mr. Alvarez tells me to do. No upside in freelancing.”
    “Might help you to move around a little bit,” I said. “You stand next to the door too long, people might mistake you for a coatrack.”
    Frankie balled his fists, took a step toward me, then looked at Hawk and reconsidered. We walked out.

H AWK AND I sat in my car and looked back at Street Business. We seemed to be doing a lot of sitting in my car lately. Maybe it was the start of a new holiday tradition. Next year we could change it up a little and sit in Hawk’s car.
    “How you feeling about Street Business now?” I said.
    Hawk nodded his approval. “Not bad,” he said.