Page 46 of Little Child Gone

Logan shrugged. “Normal, I guess.”

“What did you two talk about?”

“Usual stuff,” he said. “Band practice, mostly.”

“Did he mention his work shift after school?” Miller asked.

“Yesterday? I don’t think so, but I know he hated his mom picking him up after work. He’s not old enough for to drive yet, and she won’t let friends pick him up or drive him a few blocks to work,” Logan said. “At least he can walk from school to Menards.”

“It’s not that easy for a parent,” Renee said. “You might be the best driver in the world. It’s everyone else you have to worry about. The only reason I let you ride with older friends is because of my work schedule.” She looked at Nikki. “I’m an accountant and mostly work from home. Logan’s dad lives out of state and my parents are two hours away. I trust his friends, but I still worry every single day.”

“Me too,” Miller said. “All three of mine are old enough to drive. Sometimes I lie awake at night, thinking about all of the senseless car accidents I’ve responded to.”

“I can’t imagine,” Renee said. “Christy is protective, that’s all.”

Nikki could tell by Logan’s expression he didn’t quite agree. “What does Taylor say about the situation?”

“He says she likes drama.” Logan looked sheepish. “That if she doesn’t have any in her life, she’ll create it.”

“What sort of drama?” Nikki asked. “Things seem pretty normal at their place.”

“He doesn’t talk about being a little kid much,” Logan answered. “I know before his dad came into the picture, Christy had lived in few different tiny apartments in downtown Indianapolis. She worked all the time and Taylor watched his sister. Jared changed their lives, but Taylor thinks she doesn’t really appreciate it.”

“Sounds like she and Taylor butt heads a lot,” Nikki observed.

“He’s at that age,” Renee said. “Logan and I would certainly argue more if it weren’t just the two of us.”

“Do you know what caused the fight between Taylor and Adrian Lynch?”

Logan’s face reddened. “Adrian’s a dick. Sorry, Mom.”

Renee sighed. “That’s fine, but they need to know what Adrian actually did, honey.”

“He asked Amelia out, and she said she wasn’t allowed to date. He said his sister found a pregnancy test in the bathroom after Amelia left, like she was the only other girl in the school.”

Renee’s lips pinched together in anger. “That poor girl. She’s so sweet and quiet.”

“I’m glad to hear Logan’s version lines up with what Adrian told me,” Nikki said. “Taylor didn’t get in trouble for the fight and suspension?”

“His mom was pretty upset and wanted to ground him, but his dad said no. He stood up for his sister. He shouldn’t have hit Adrian, but the week suspension was enough. Taylor said his mom was pissed off at his dad for that.”

“Taylor’s close with him, isn’t he?” Nikki asked.

“Yeah,” Logan said. “He’s Taylor’s hero.”

“A knight in shining armor.” Renee locked eyes with Nikki.

“Mom.”

“Don’t ‘Mom’ me.”

This was the first negative thing they’d heard about Jared from anyone. “Why don’t you like Jared?”

“It’s not that I don’t like him,” Renee said. “He just seems… controlling.”

“That’s because you are anti-men,” Logan said.

She rolled her eyes. “That’s not true. His father and I were young and didn’t stay together. We get along just fine, always have. I’m just busy.”

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