“Mr. Dougherty, it’s Krista Mallory. I’m the principal at Deer Park Elementary. We spoke a few days after you got to town.”
“I remember, Ms. Mallory. What can I do for you?” Kane raked a hand through his hair and paced across the room.
“I don’t want to worry you, but Eli seems to be having…some issues.”
“Issues? What kind of issues?” Kane tensed, not liking the word issues and feeling pretty sure it couldn’t be mean anything good.
“He’s in with the school nurse, complaining of a stomachache.”
“My sister has been sick with the flu. He probably has the same. I’ll be right there to pick him up.” A stomachache Kane could understand, the flu he could deal with. Both were better than “issues.”
“The thing is, Mr. Dougherty, the nurse doesn’t think he’s sick.”
“No?”
“Eli’s teacher said he was fine when he arrived in class this morning. As a matter of fact, he was more outgoing and happy than he’s ever been. Then he realized that the teacher’s aide for the class wasn’t going to be in…”
“Ms. Tennyson?”
“That’s right. Eli found out she wouldn’t be there, and he said he wanted to go home.”
“I see.”
“Of course, we couldn’t allow that.”
“And that’s when he decided he had a stomachache?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“I appreciate it, Mr. Dougherty, and I hope you understand that we wouldn’t normally call a parent about something like this. But Eli is a special case, and we want to do whatever we can to help the transition into his new life go smoothly.”
“I’d rather be called than not, so you made a good decision. Thanks.” Kane hung up.
His mother and sister were hovering in the doorway. “Is everything okay?” his mother asked, and Kane nodded.
“The teacher’s aide Eli is so fond of didn’t show up at school today, and he’s not taking it well.”
“Maggie, you mean? Is she okay? I know you said she’s been having some trouble with her ex.” Jenna frowned, her words reflecting Kane’s own concern.
“I don’t know. I’m going to pick Eli up at school, and then I’m going to give her a call. Make sure she’s all right.”
“Well, if you need to go over and help her, you just go ahead and do it. Your father, sister and I can take care of Eli for the day. As a matter of fact, I think we’ll bake some chocolate chip cookies. There’s nothing like cookies hot out of the oven to cure what ails a child.” Kane’s mother bustled away, and Jenna smiled.
“Mom always did know how to make us feel better when we were kids,” Jenna said.
“Yeah. I wish I were half as good with Eli.”
“You will be, Kane. Once you get to know him.”
“Maybe.” Kane pulled on his coat and stepped outside. The day was gray, the sky heavy with clouds. The meteorologist was calling for snow, and Kane was sure he could smell it in the air.
The school was just two blocks away from the new house, but he decided to drive. The quicker he got to the school, the quicker he could find out what was going on with his son.
He pulled into the school parking lot, hurried inside and veered left into the office. An office assistant looked up as he entered and offered a smile.
“Mr. Dougherty, Principal Mallory said you were on your way. You can go right in to her office.” She gestured to the door behind her desk, and Kane skirted the desk and a wall of file cabinets and stepped into the room.
An older woman with graying hair and a bright smile stood as he entered the room. “Hello, Mr. Dougherty. I’m Principal Mallory.”
“Nice to meet you.” Though he would have preferred doing so under other circumstances.
“Why don’t you have a seat? My assistant is going to call down to the nurse’s office, and Eli should be here shortly.”
“Thanks.” Kane perched on the edge of the chair, feeling uncomfortable but not sure why. Generally, he was good in new situations and could handle whatever came his way with ease. But everything to do with Eli seemed a potential land mine, and he constantly had to remind himself to tread cautiously.
“While we have a minute, I’d like to thank you for making the decision to let Eli stay in school during this transitional time. It’s good for him to have a sense of continuity in his life.”
“I agree,” Kane responded, wishing the nurse would hurry up with Eli. It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate the principal’s words of thanks, but he didn’t feel like he deserved them. He hadn’t done anything that any other parent wouldn’t have done in the same circumstances.
“We’ve all been talking about it here at Deer Park Elementary, and we realize what a sacrifice it must be for you to leave a home in New York to settle in a small town like ours.”
“It isn’t a sacrifice to do something that benefits my son.”
“I suppose not, but we want to make sure you know we’re here to offer support in any way we can.”
“I appreciate that, Principal Mallory, and I’ll be sure to let you know if there’s anything Eli needs.” He’d heard similar words so often since he’d come to Deer Park that they’d almost become meaningless. Although he knew people meant well, there really wasn’t anything any of them could do to help Eli through the very painful process of letting go of a woman he’d called mother for five years. Nor could anyone help him learn to embrace a man who’d been nothing more than a vague memory for most of Eli’s life.
“Good. I think that’s especially important since Ms. Tennyson won’t be coming back for several weeks.”
“Several weeks?” The conversation had suddenly be come much more interesting, and Kane leaned forward, wanting to ask why Maggie would take several weeks off but feeling certain the principal wouldn’t answer. It was Maggie’s private business, after all.
And it was business Kane planned to stick his nose into once he figured out what was going on with his son.
“Yes. She’ll be off through the month of December and plans to return after Christmas break.”
“Eli will miss having her in the classroom.”
“All of the children will, but she’ll return as a full-time teacher after her graduation.”
“Graduation?”
“She’s been pursuing a degree in elementary education since she began working here. We’re looking forward to officially giving her the title of teacher. She earned it long ago.”
“She seems to have a way with kids.”
“She does.”
The sound of voices interrupted the conversation, and the principal stood. “It sounds like Eli has arrived. Thank you again for being such a good father to him.”
Kane would have responded, but Eli appeared in the doorway, his hair mussed and his cheeks pale. “I’m sorry, Dad.”
“For what?” Kane stood and put a gentle hand on his son’s shoulder.
“For making you come get me.”
“Nobody made me do anything. I wanted to come. Anytime you need me, I’ll be here.”
“My stomach was hurting.”
“Does it feel better now?”
“I think so.”
“Do you think you want to go back to class?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I heard Ms. Tennyson isn’t here today.”
“And she’s not going to be here until after Christmas, either.” Eli blinked rapidly, and Kane was sure he was trying not to cry.
“She needs a few weeks off to study for her final exams,” Principal Mallory cut in. “Do you know what they are?”
“No.”
“They’re very important tests that every college student must take before finishing a class.”
“Ms. Tennyson is a teacher, not a student.”
“She’s a teacher’s aide, and she can’t officially be a teacher until she graduates from college.”
“Oh.”
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br /> “But don’t worry, she’ll be back after her finals, and when she does graduate, we’ll make her an official teacher right here at Deer Park Elementary. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”
“I guess,” Eli responded, staring down at the carpet rather than looking at the principal. Kane was tempted to correct the behavior but knew that would only embarrass Eli.
“I know you’ll miss her, Eli, but I’m sure she’ll come back to visit when she has time,” Principal Mallory said gently.
Eli didn’t look convinced, and Kane doubted there was anything more that could be said that would make a difference. Better to go home and let Grandma try her chocolate-chip-cookie cure on him.
“Are you ready to go home, Eli? Grandma is baking chocolate chip cookies, and I know she’d love for you to help.”
Eli shrugged, and Kane decided to take that as a yes.
“Let’s go then. Thank you again, Principal Mallory.”
“You’re quite welcome. We’ll see you tomorrow, Eli.” Principal Mallory offered Eli a bright smile and quick wave, and Eli nodded.
Kane took his son’s hand and was surprised when he didn’t pull away. Maybe they really were making progress.
Or maybe Eli was just too tired to continue fighting the tide that was dragging him into his new family.
“Is Grandma really making chocolate chip cookies?” Eli asked as he climbed into the SUV.
“I wouldn’t have said it if it weren’t true. Knowing Grandma, she’s got all the ingredients out and the oven preheated, and she’s waiting at the door for you to come home so she can get started.”
“She and Grandpa are leaving on Friday.”
“Yep.”
“And Ms. Tennyson is gone. Is Aunt Jenna going to leave, too?” There seemed to be another question lurking beneath the one Eli voiced. Maybe “Are you going to leave?” Or “Do adults always go away?”
“Aunt Jenna is going to stay here for as long as we’re here, and Ms. Tennyson hasn’t gone anywhere. She’s just taking a break from work so she can study.”
“How do you know? Did you talk to her?”
“No, but Principal Mallory told us that’s what she was doing.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s true. People lie all the time.”
Kane wasn’t sure how to respond to that.
On the one hand, it was true. On the other hand, no nine-year-old should be as cynical as Eli.
He pulled into the driveway of the two-story brick colonial he’d rented and shifted to look at his son. “People do lie, Eli, but not all the time and not about something like what Principal Mallory told you.”
Eli gave his trademark shrug and got out of the SUV.
Short of calling him back and trying to convince him of something he obviously wasn’t going to believe, there wasn’t much Kane could do but follow Eli to the house.
The front door flew open before they made it there, and Kane’s mother stepped outside, a pink cardigan around her shoulders and a broad smile on her face. “There he is! Just the young man I wanted to see. You know what I need, Eli?”
“What?”
“An assistant chef, and you look like you’ll fit the bill just right.”
“Really? Dad said you were baking cookies.”
“Not just cookies. My famous double-chocolate chocolate chip cookies. Grandpa and Aunt Jenna are out getting everything we need, and while they’re gone we’re going to have hot chocolate and play video games.”
“You play video games?”
“Not yet, but for you, I’ll learn. Come on.” She turned and walked back into the house, and Eli followed willingly. Perhaps he was as fascinated with the idea of his grandmother playing video games as Kane was.
Kane stepped into the foyer but didn’t bother taking off his coat. He didn’t plan to stay long. “If you two will be okay together, I’m going to run a few errands.”
His mother stopped halfway down the hall and turned to face Kane. “Are you going to call—”
“I’ll stop by her place.” He cut her off, not wanting Eli to know that he planned to contact Maggie.
His mother glanced at Eli, who was listening intently. “All right. How long will you be?”
“I should be home in a couple of hours. If anything comes up, I’ll give you a call.”
“Maybe I should come with you,” Eli said, walking toward Kane, and for the first time since they’d been re united, Kane had the sense that his son really cared that they were together again.
“Then you’ll miss out on baking those cookies.”
“I don’t mind.”
“But Grandma might be disappointed. Besides, I won’t be gone that long.”
Eli hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. I’ll see you when you get back, right?”
“Of course,” Kane said, and he gave in to temptation and dropped a kiss on Eli’s head. “See you guys in a little while.”
He walked back outside before he could change his mind and invite Eli to come along. He needed to talk to Maggie, find out what had made her decide to take a month off of work, because he didn’t believe the story she’d told Principal Mallory.
He pulled up in front of Edith’s house and was surprised to see the sheriff’s car parked in the driveway. Something had happened, and Kane was going to find out what.
He jogged up the porch stairs, knocked on the door and waited impatiently for Edith to open it.
She peered out a side window first, then cracked the door open. “Oh, good, it really is you.”
“Did you think it would be someone else?”
“Him. Maggie’s ex. You’ve heard about him, haven’t you? How he tried to kill her in Miami? He’s here. Somewhere in Deer Park, and the police can’t find him,” she whispered, stepping aside to let Kane inside.
“Is Maggie in her apartment?”
“Yes. Sheriff O’Malley has been up there with her for an hour. Didn’t look happy when he got here. You’ll probably want to wait until he comes down. Want a cup of coffee?”
“No, thanks. I think I’ll go see what’s happening.”
“I don’t know if the sheriff is going to like that.”
“Good thing I’m not too concerned about what he thinks.” Kane offered a brief smile and walked up the stairs.
He knocked twice before Maggie opened the door.
“Kane. What are you doing here?” Her eyes were deeply shadowed, her face devoid of color.
“I heard you were planning to take a few weeks off from work. I thought I’d come over to find out why.”
“I’m a little busy right now. Maybe you can give me a call later,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at the sheriff, who stood a few feet away.
“I don’t mind waiting.” He stepped into her apartment and nodded at the sheriff. “I left a couple of messages at your office, Sheriff O’Malley, but from what I hear, you’ve had plenty of other things to deal with.”
“Unfortunately, that’s true. Maggie ran into some trouble last night, and I’ve been concentrating my efforts on that.”
“What kind of trouble?” Kane asked, turning his attention to Maggie.
“I saw Derrick last night. He was waiting in the church parking lot and pulled out after I left. He followed me for a couple of miles and then disappeared.”
“You’re sure it was him?”
“That’s what Sheriff O’Malley keeps asking, and I keep telling him that I am. Derrick is in Deer Park. He pulled up behind my car with his interior lights on last night. I saw his face clearly.”
“It can be difficult to see when headlights are shining into your eyes, Maggie. It’s very possible the person you saw simply resembled your ex,” the sheriff said wearily, as if he’d said the same a half dozen times.
“You said yourself that the Miami police haven’t seen Derrick in two days. Why is it so hard to believe he could be here?” Maggie responded, her tone sharp.
“His friends and employees said he’s on a fishing expedition.”
“That doesn’t mean that’s actually where he is,” Kane cut in, and the sheriff frowned.
“We’re not discounting any possibilities. Miami PD is actively searching for Lyons on their end, and we’re doing the same here.”
“Then why do you keep asking me if I’m sure I saw him?” Maggie didn’t try to hide her exasperation.
“When we bring him in, we’re going to need evidence to hold him. I don’t want to risk having the guy out on the street because we have no proof that he’s threatening you.”
It made sense from a legal perspective, but Kane doubted Maggie cared much about that. What she wanted to hear was that the police were going to find Derrick and put him in jail for good.
“The Miami PD should have plenty of that. I’ve had some people doing some digging and they’ve come up with information the police are going to find interesting.”
“Yeah? What’s that?” Sheriff Mallory took out a notebook and a pen and scribbled something on what looked to be an already filled page.
“A girlfriend of his left Miami a year ago. She died a few months later in a hit-and-run accident.”
“People die in hit-and-run accidents every day.” The sheriff wasn’t convinced, and Kane knew what he was thinking. Coincidences happened. Circumstantial evidence wasn’t enough to get a conviction. It’s what Kane had been thinking until he’d dug deeper.
“I agree, but five years ago, the guy lost another girlfriend in a fluke fall from a balcony apartment. They’d both been drinking, and he said she climbed onto the balcony wall and fell.”
“That happened in Miami, too?”
“San Antonio. He mentioned it to me once right after we met. He said it was the reason he moved to Miami. He wanted to escape the memories,” Maggie cut in, flashing Kane a look that told him exactly what she thought of all the digging he’d been doing.
“Interesting, but bad things do happen, and I know plenty of people who have lost more than one family member in tragic accidents.”
“Yeah? Well Lyons seems to have had a whole lot of bad luck when it comes to girlfriends. His high school girlfriend died of an overdose when she was five months pregnant with his child.”
“He never wanted kids.” Maggie spoke so quietly, Kane almost didn’t hear her.
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