Reis Martin Undercover

By Joyce Marcotte

Though Reis Martin is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, he functions with great success in the world by excelling academically and keeping to himself. That is, until his childhood friend calls on him for a favor that takes him light years out of his comfort zone. As a sheriff in a small town that is riddled with drugs in its school, Eric Riley, puts Reis back in high school, where everyone is suspect, working to uncover the drug scene at Riverford High. A run-in with a spoiled brat football star, also famous for being the school bully, initiates Reis’s connection to Freddie Maddox on day one. Rohypnol is slipped to a girl at a bonfire by another girl and the drama begins. As high speed chases and arrests ensue, some high school students discover the struggle is real.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532080562

Joyce Marcotte

Joyce Marcotte, a Vermont native, now lives in Florida with her husband, adopted son, one Papillion, two adopted humane society shelter cats, one rescued parrot and three Nigerian Dwarf goats. She loves nature and enjoys riding her UTV to observe birds and wildlife.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

A creature of habit, Reis Martin prepared his evening meal without even thinking about it. He didn’t get distracted. Ever. It was part of who he was, but tonight he was distracted.

He sat down on a stool at the counter with his strawberry yogurt, sliced fruit and a chunk of angel food cake towering with whipped topping, to consider the proposition put to him by longtime friend, Eric Riley.

Reis hadn’t recognized his friend when he first accepted the Skype call. Eric had worry lines on his forehead and bags under his eyes. He looked like he had aged about twenty years.

Eric, it’s so good to hear from you! You look terrible! What’s up?

Thank you. It’s time to humble myself, Reis. I need some help here.

What kind of help, Eric? I’ll help you any way I can.

Reis, I need someone to go undercover in the high school here to help me sniff out the drug activity. You have a sharp mind, an eye for detail and the ability to read people without the emotional involvement that gets in the way for most of us. You are always objective, my friend. That is a rare quality.

You think you want me to do undercover work? Reis thought Eric was joking.

You look young enough to be a high school senior, and you are perfect for this, dude. You can spend a little time with the folks in my department and they will have you playing the part perfectly. Listen to me, dude, Eric had said, The way you wear that dated flat top haircut without flinching will give you a level of smooth not ever seen by kids in this decade. Anyone who dares to be different becomes an object of reverence nowadays. I know you’re shy, but everyone at Riverford High will think you’re cool. Plus, your smarts will rock their world.

Oh, Eric. I don’t know. I have to think about this.

Even thinking about traveling from Fort Evans, Alabama to Riverford, Florida raised his anxiety level about three notches, but Reis was seriously considering it. At twenty-five, Reis was a candidate for a master’s degree in forensic science and he carried a heavy class schedule. He had been approved to complete the three-year program in eighteen months. He had a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in sociology.

He had decided that the solitary environment of a forensic lab would be the perfect place for him. Everyone had always found him a bit odd and he knew it. He supposed his intelligence was threatening to some and his eidetic memory was another thing that seemed to put some folks off. He really didn’t care what others thought of him. He knew a career where he would be working solo would be the best fit for him. But undercover work? Seriously? He couldn’t picture himself there.

Reis had always had to deal with social challenges. He was born addicted to his mother’s drug of choice and his grandparents had raised him from birth with no involvement on her part. When he struggled with social interaction in the early grades at school, his grandmother had home schooled him for a couple of years.

And now Eric wanted him to go undercover as a high school senior? Him? Reis Martin? It was a lot to think about.

It was a great compliment that Eric thought him capable of getting the job done, but Eric had been the guy who was always for the underdog and had run a lot of interference for Reis all the way through school. It occurred to Reis that Eric may not remember him the way he was or might expect he had outgrown it.

Reis had gone to college locally so he could live at home and not have to cope with too many changes in his routine at one time. His grandmother sheltered him, but probably not more than he needed. His mama and papa were a central part of his life He still lived in the same house with his grandparents. Though their spaces were separate, they were joined by a door at the living rooms that was never locked.

It was a rambling old farm house, built sometime in the nineteenth century. The barn had fallen down years ago and his grandfather had cleared it all away, passing the boards on to be repurposed as wall boards in the local pediatrician’s new office. Huge oaks were surrounded by pretty flower gardens. There were perennials and his mama planted annuals with them every year to add color for the entire summer and fall.

Eric Riley had been the best friend Reis had ever had, but that friendship wasn’t what a typical kids’ friendship would have looked like. They didn’t hang out or go to movies or fishing. None of the usual stuff because Reis didn’t do the usual stuff. Well, he did watch movies, but he preferred to watch them alone because he didn’t want to have to avoid attempts by anyone to engage him in conversation or share popcorn. When he watched a movie, he watched the entire movie, every second of it, including the credits and he never shared food.

Reis often walked home from school with Eric. It took him years to realize that his house really wasn’t on the way for Eric, but rather that Eric was protecting Reis from the usual crowd of jocks that had nothing better to do between school and football practice.

Reis recalled the first time Eric had walked home with him. They were about nine years old. Reis had just enrolled in public school again and was in the fourth grade. A seventh grader followed behind him after school just to plague him. If Reis stopped, the older boy stopped. If Reis ran, the older boy did, too. After a few minutes of it, Reis was overwhelmed and started to run hard with tears pouring down his cheeks. As he rounded a corner, he collided with Eric Riley.

"Whoa! Where are you going in such a hurry?"

It was the undoing of everything. Reis dropped to the ground in the fetal position and covered his head with his arms. Eric sat down beside him, talking to him calmly.

Reis’s pursuer soon came around the corner, laughing. Eric sprung to his feet and grabbed him. The kid tried to turn and run, but Eric was quick on his feet. He grabbed him by the front of his shirt and pushed him up against the building. Be on your way, Ryan, or I’ll damage your face! How would you like to ride in an ambulance? Ryan ran as fast as he could when Eric let go of him. He knew Eric’s reputation; he hated bullies and was always defending somebody. Apparently, Ryan had no desire to get into it with him.

Eric gave Reis a hand up and put his arm around his shoulders. Reis, it’s going to be okay. He’s not going to bother you anymore and if he does, he’ll be answering to me. Come on. I’ll walk home with you. I’m going that direction anyway. Want me to stop by for you in the morning?

Reis recalled how he had felt that day and how Eric had helped him talk his grandparents into allowing Reis to take Choi Kwang Do classes with him. That was another reason he felt obligated to consider Eric’s plea for help now. Besides, Eric was just an all-around nice guy. He volunteered countless hours to his community even as a child, and he wasn’t a man who failed to keep his word. He was single and lived alone in a house he had built himself. He lived simply and did all he could to help anyone who needed a hand.

Before he could talk himself out of it, or discuss it with his grandmother and have her talk him out of it, Reis picked up the phone.

Eric? Reis Martin here. I don’t know what I’m getting myself into, but okay. I will do it. When do we start this detective project?

CHAPTER 2

Eric Riley was an elected county sheriff in Riverford, Florida and was grappling with his campaign promise to sweep drugs out of his small community. He had moved there when he was twenty years old, right after graduating from the police academy. He had worked as a deputy under the sheriff who had held the office for forty years. When a town officer encouraged Eric to run for the office, Eric thought he was joking. But he wasn’t. People in town suspected that old Sheriff Abner was taking money from criminals to look the other way. He had run for the office unopposed many times and now people wanted him out of office.

He had thought about this undercover student idea for months, but couldn’t come up with anyone who was available to fill the role. When it dawned on him that the perfect candidate was his best friend, he had to contemplate it for a while, but in the end, he couldn’t think of anyone as smart and focused as Reis.

Reis pulled into the parking space assigned to the apartment Eric had rented for him in Riverford, turned off his car’s engine, stretched and picked up his huge black cat, Martha. Eric was waiting for him. He removed Reis’s Alabama car tag and put the screws into a new Florida plate on the back of Reis’s car. Then he grabbed the suitcase from the back seat of Reis’s car. They introduced themselves to the building manager and took the elevator to the fourth floor.

I’ve never been here when that guy wasn’t outside smoking and tinkering on something, Reis. His wife won’t let him smoke inside and he lights one cigarette with another.

I don’t blame her! Reis made a face and pretended to hold his nose.

While Reis and Martha roamed around their new temporary home, Eric was filling Reis in on the details.

We’ve hit on opioids with the dogs. The sports lockers are open and unassigned and whoever owned it was smart enough to stash it in there.

I won’t have to work with dogs, will I? Eric could see Reis was panic stricken.

No. They’re only handled by trained officers. Eric was reminded of how much he had missed his very literal friend.

"Let me tell you about the school. Enrolled student population in grades seven through twelve is about eight hundred and seventy-five kids. We have about a dozen kids who roll in and out with the seasons. Their parents are migrant workers. They move with crop harvesting seasons.

Are gangs a problem? They get involved with drugs, don’t they? Reis asked.

The department is not aware of gang activity here. Yet. We know that on the other side of the swamp it’s starting to become an issue. There have been a few drive-by shootings and gang members flaunt themselves over there. The absenteeism rate here is not high. We have a few kids who are consistently late or absent, but I think every school is going to have that.

Any groups I should pay attention to? I remember when I was in high school there were all these cliques. And then, me.

We have a few, of course, but it isn’t as bad as Fort Evans High School. Football, of course, is the big thing this time of year. We have a deep bench, but there is always that handful of stars. You’ll know who those guys are right away. You can’t miss them.

Eric already planned for Reis to have a full tour and spend time getting familiar with the layout of the school on Sunday. He would start attending on Monday. Other than the school resource officer, the school principal, Mr. Rogington was the only person who knew that Reis was there working undercover.

So, Reis, we’re clear on your story? You’ve been on Aviano Air Base in Italy with your parents. Your dad is an Air Force Master Tech Sergeant. He will be discharged soon, having served twenty-two years; you’ve been stateside since early December. If you’re asked where your parents are at any point in time, your dad is finishing up career status in Georgia and your mother went there for a couple of days. Your last name is Myers. How’s your Italian these days?

Adequate. Reis was never satisfied with his language skills.

I’m going to bring some training officers over here to start working with you tomorrow, Reis. If you need anything tonight, call me. I can bunk here tonight if you want. Eric knew his very private friend would refuse the offer, but he offered anyway.

Saturday morning Reis hit the ground running. Eric introduced him to the two guys who were going to help him prepare for his assignment, Corporal Aaron Gold and Corporal Colby Downing.

You’ll have to blend with a range of kids. The best way is to be yourself. Let them come to you, but be friendly when they do. Aaron tried to look Reis in the eye and noticed he didn’t make eye contact. He held a hand out to Reis. A good firm hand shake…

Reis didn’t extend his arm for the handshake. I don’t shake hands, he interrupted. It’s one of the best ways to spread germs.

The doubtful look that passed between Aaron and Colby was not lost on Eric. Colby said, "Let’s move on to what I like to call the swallow and switch.

That sounds nasty. Reis’s eyes were wide.

It’s just an old sleight of hand. Colby continued. We’re certain there are lots of pills floating around Riverford. We suspect someone is either getting them online somehow or, more likely, pilfering them from friends or relatives. We hope someone will offer you some. They worked on pretending to swallow something, but actually palming it and slipping it into a pocket.

Then when you have the opportunity, just slip it into one of these small vials and it goes to the lab. Give it to Eric and he’ll put in the lab order.

After a long, tiring day that ran into the dark hours, Eric felt that Colby and Aaron had Reis as ready as he ever would be to go into Riverford High and ferret out their drug crowd.

CHAPTER 3

Reis sat at a desk in the middle of the senior class homeroom at Riverford High School wearing jeans, an older, faded crew neck sweater and a pair of Nike sneakers. He was trying to look inconspicuous, but he certainly didn’t feel it. Starting a new school at the beginning of the second semester made any student a target for attention, never mind if you weren’t really a student there at all.

He had no illusions that he would fit in with the cool crowd, but Eric kept telling him to keep his ears and eyes open. The fact that he was a new face might get information that could be a tangible lead. Since Reis had no desire to be away from home any longer than necessary, he intended to play the prescribed role to the letter.

Reis had read all the textbook assignments in advance simply to brush up and be certain he was familiar with the books used at Riverford. He didn’t expect much in the way of academic challenges; he’d had few in his lifetime.

The bell rang and the students shuffled off to their designated classrooms. Reis had Earth Science II in first period. Though it wasn’t exactly a valedictorian’s class, he was undercover. Eric had reminded him repeatedly to not shoot his hand up for every question. He was trying to appear to be someone who might not make studying a high priority.

He watched the room fill up from a seat near the back. It was a blur of royal blue letter jackets stretched over wide shoulders. Most of the students were male, but there was a handful of girls, most with long hair and sweaters that encouraged all eyes on them. All but one of them entered the room hanging on the arm of a letter jacket.

She looked out of place. Her dark hair was clean and it reflected red highlights as it hung just below her shoulders. Her sweater was baggy and her jeans weren’t tight either. She carried a well-worn backpack with both straps, unlike most of the girls who had one strap carelessly slung over a shoulder. It looked heavy enough to be everything she owned. Reis wondered if she carried a heavy class load that prevented her from getting to her locker between classes.

Lunch time arrived after an endless morning. The cafeteria was loud and crowded. Reis watched the groups form about as he would have predicted. He took his tray with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a carton of milk and an apple to a table near the kitchen that he hoped was out of the way of the overbearing noise, but still close enough to try to get a read on the group dynamics, who dominated conversation and if there were any loners.

The jocks were loud at a couple of tables in the center of the cafeteria. Reis grimaced as one of them on the outside of a row of stools tripped a skinny, freckle-faced younger student as he walked by sending his lunch tray airborne. The jocks at the table erupted in an uproar of laughter, foot stomping and back slapping. Without pause, and totally out of character, Reis rose to go help the humiliated kid. The closer he got to the bully, the angrier he got.

Here. Let me get that. He handed the kid a five-dollar bill and added, Go get some more lunch. I’ll have this guy right here help me mop up this mess.

He was aware of two teachers approaching as the bully stood up. Reis looked squarely at the big tyrant and said, Clean it up. As he did so, it occurred to Reis to wonder what he was doing, but it was too late now. He was committed.

Who died and made you the boss? It’s my job to teach the newbies their place in the food chain around here. I’m just doing my part to make sure they know they’re welcome, said the bully.

There was more laughter and elbows jabbing rib cages.

Reis faced him squarely and said, Clean it up.

Reis was a good four inches taller, though probably thirty pounds lighter than the quarterback whose