LITMIR.BIZ

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      I saw Jason’s worried look in the rearview mirror.

      “He took my Transformer.”

      “He’ll give it back when he’s done looking at it,” I said.

      “Detective Garrett will protect us,” Lucie said. She sat up a little straighter in the back seat and patted Jason’s arm as if he were frightened. But he wasn’t the least bit frightened. The people who were scared to death were me and Lucie.

      The patrolman led us to Mason’s office. Mason (or was it Detective Garrett given the circumstances) brought us inside. “Bring a couple more chairs, will you, Joe?”

      Joe did, and the three of us sat down. Mason closed the door and took notes on what happened. “You got his license,” he said. “Great. Did you get a good look at him?”

      I shook my head. “Lucie said it was the man with the scar. William. Lurleen recognized his description when we talked yesterday. She said it had to be Billy Joe Sandler, grandson to William Sandler, Senior.”

      Mason let out a soft whistle. I didn’t know cops really did that. “I got your message. We know him well,” he said. “We’ll get an all-points bulletin out on the truck. We’ll track down Billy Joe with or without his truck. He’s always causing trouble, usually when he’s drunk. We pick him up and Sandler’s lawyers get him off with no charges. This is more serious. We’ll bring him in, don’t worry.”

      I nodded. “I think there was another man in the truck but I couldn’t make him out. Could you, Lucie?”

      Lucie shook her head and stared at her hands.

      Mason and I had a chance to talk privately while the kids got hot chocolate out of a machine and sat with a policewoman who clearly had children of her own. They were peppering her with questions—or Jason was anyway. “Are you a real cop? Girls can’t be cops—they aren’t strong enough. Not strong like me.” I heard Lucie’s voice in the background trying to smooth the waters while the policewoman patiently answered all of Jason’s questions.

      “I’m not sure what to do to keep the kids safe. I can take care of myself, but I don’t want to put the kids at risk. Do we need to move in with a friend or into a hotel for a while? This guy clearly knows where we live and is after the kids for some reason.”

      “Or after you,” Mason said. “He may think you have whatever it is he wants. I’m going to give you protection for a while. I’ll have a police car make circuits by your house during the day and at night you’ll have a PI.”

      “A private investigator? Is that something I should pay for? I’m happy to do it for the kids’ sake.”

      “No, no,” Garrett said. “I know a guy owes me a favor—Danny Devalle. He’s as good as they get. Part of my job is to keep you and the children safe.”

      Before I could say anything, he stood up and started to walk me down the hall to the kids. “I’d like to come by tonight to introduce you to Dan and see how you’re doing. I’m getting a new Transformer for Jason, so maybe I can bring that along as well.”

      “Are detectives allowed to have dinner with people they’re protecting?” I asked.

      “You mean me or Dan?”

      I blushed. “I meant you, but Dan could come as well.”

      “I’m sure he’ll be busy, but detectives like me can do what they like off duty except consort with a suspect. I get off work around seven unless something comes up. Always a possibility unfortunately.”

      “I understand. Come when you’re done. I may feed the kids earlier, but they’ll be happy to see you. ‘Consort with a suspect’—that’s a quaint phrase.”

      “What, are you an English major? Anyway, you should be pleased. It means you’re not a suspect. By the way,” he said, “you did say you weren’t attached, didn’t you?”

      “I’m pretty sure you did some kind of background check on me,” I said. “You probably know I’ve never been married. And no, I don’t have anyone special in my life right now. What about you?”

      Mason shook his head.

      It was far too early for any involvement, but I couldn’t help the warm glow that filled an empty spot in my heart. Mason seemed to read my mind.

      “Tonight is not a date,” he said. “More of a check-in.”

      I nodded. “A check-in. Good. I’m not taking the kids to school. I don’t want them out of my sight.”

      “Agreed. Can you stay with someone else until we bring Billy Joe in for questioning?”

      I nodded and called Lurleen. She said she was delighted for the company. I gave Mason her address and cell phone number.

      “Good. That’s where I’ll meet you with Danny tonight.”

      I told the kids we were all going to spend the day with Lurleen.

      “What about school?” Lucie asked. “Mom never let us miss school.”

      “It’s okay, Luce. One day won’t hurt. I’ll go to school and get your assignments. You can work on them at Lurleen’s.”

      Lucie looked relieved.

      Mason rode down the elevator with us and saw us to our car. He told the kids how much they had helped with the investigation. He squeezed my hand and told me not to worry.

      We got to Lurleen’s around ten. Once the kids were settled into her spare bedroom, I told her what had happened.

      “Billy Joe has always been a bad apple,” she said, “but why is he going after you and the kids?”

      “That’s the question. There was someone else in the car. Lucie said she didn’t see who it was, but I’m just not sure Lucie is telling me all she knows.”

      “I’ll see if I can find out anything.” She shook her head and appeared to be lost in thought. “I know how awful it is to be afraid to tell the truth.”

      I looked at her. “You do?”

      She hesitated and for a moment I thought she might reveal something to me. Something about her past—the real past she never talked about. I had my own suspicions about that. Why would someone need to make up an entire history unless their real childhood was too miserable to talk about?

      Instead she said, “Of course I know. I watch TV, all the news regarding children and abuse. You can go on to work; we’ll be fine. No one knows the kids are here.”

      “Thanks. I’ll stop by the clinic and see if they need me, but first I’m going to the school. I want to let them know what’s happening.”

      Lurleen gave me a hug. She seemed to have dropped all of her French mannerisms. When things got serious, Lurleen became all business. I imagined it was how she behaved at Sandler’s as an accountant for all those years.

      I talked with the principal at the children’s school. Fortunately she knew me from previous interactions. Several refugee families had settled in the area, and we’d spoken from time to time about difficulties the children were having. That was over the phone—this was the first time we’d met in person. I liked the look of her. A large, tall woman, in charge, but with a warmth that came through as she asked for details about the children’s situation.

      “I hope they won’t be out of school for long,” I said. “If any adult asks about the kids, could you let me know?”

      “Of course.” She took down my contact number.

      The classroom teachers were equally concerned. I gathered up work assignments for two days and asked if anyone had been around the classroom asking for the children.

      Lucie’s teacher said no. Jason’s teacher took a moment to answer.

      “It’s

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