“He was bald,” Michael told Rex. “Really big. Like Coach. But not Coach,” he insisted. “I saw the guy’s face. It wasn’t Coach Diesel. The man had no tattoos.” He sighed. “Sorry, Coach.”

Diesel took his hand off the boy’s back so that he could sign. “It’s okay. I thought as much.” He looked at Rex, continuing to sign as he spoke. “When Michael arrived at the soccer practice field this morning, he was so shocked when he saw me that he fell backward. He was having a panic attack, I think. But then he realized I wasn’t the person he was afraid of and we were fine.” He locked gazes with Michael. “We are fine, right?”

Michael’s nod was immediate and firm. “Hell, yeah.”

Rex’s lips twitched as he wrote it all down. “Got it. The police will probably want you to sit with a sketch artist and describe the man, since you saw his face. Will you do that, Michael?”

“Yes. But they won’t believe me.”

Rex put his pen down. “We believe you. Besides, they don’t have enough evidence to keep you. I want you to tell them everything you told me. If they don’t believe you, we’ll begin investigating on our own, so that we can back up your story with facts.”

Michael’s eyes grew wide. “You can investigate? Like the cops?”

“Sometimes better than the cops,” Rex said with a smile. His eyes flicked knowingly to Diesel. Like he knew Diesel had already begun. “I have a private investigator on my staff at the law firm.”

Michael frowned. “I can’t pay you.”

Rex leaned across the table, his hand extended. “Some work I do for free. If you’ll let me, I’ll represent you.”

Michael shook his hand, then dropped it to sign. “For free? Seriously?”

“Seriously. It’s called pro bono and it’s legit. You won’t owe me anything. Plus Diesel is one of my best friends. I’m happy to do this for him and for you. Although I think we’ll be okay. I think the detectives will believe you. At least enough to search for the facts themselves. Kimble and Novak are good men.”

“They’re my family,” Dani said. “My cousin and my brother. They won’t rest until you’re safe and they know the truth.”

Michael finally relaxed—so much so that he swayed in his seat. Diesel put an arm around his shoulders. “Just a little longer, kid,” he signed one-handed. “Then you’ll go to Dr. Dani’s house to sleep.”

“Will you stay?” Michael asked.

Diesel risked a glance at Dani, relieved when she nodded once. “I will. I’ll keep you safe. You and Joshua.”

Michael tilted until his head rested on Diesel’s shoulder. “Thank you. I don’t know why you’re being so nice to us, but thank you.”