Page 11 of Legacy of Lies
“Who knows? Kids picking on him because of his mom.”
“What a bunch of little pukes.”
He loved her fierce mama-bear streak when it came to Zach. While it didn’t take the place of their mom, gone these last five years, or his ex-wife Tiffani, Shelby’s supportive presence had steadied his son.
“Just kids being stupid.”
“You sure it’s not anything else?”
He scrubbed his face. “Like Zach developing an ability?”
“Yeah.”
“Hope not. You notice anything?”
“No. And you’d think I would get a sense if something was going on with him.” She tapped her head.
A breath he didn’t know he’d been holding whooshed out. “I know. And the teacher didn’t mention anything ... suspicious ... about his behavior.” Maybe he could figure out a way to get Ms. Lopez to observe his son’s behavior a little more closely. Eye in the sky, so to speak, in case the Taggart gift was starting up in his son.
“Well, that’s good. So what did the teacher recommend?” She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand.
“Nothing helpful. Something about counseling and stuff. Dumb.”
She faced him squarely. “Dumb? You think Zach talking with a counselor is dumb? Might help him. Tiffani only left a year ago. He still remembers.”
“I know. Tiffani hasn’t contacted us since she left, and I haven’t been able to track her down.” Truthfully, he hadn’t given the task a ton of effort. She had what she wanted, and what she wanted didn’t involve Zach or him.
“And you don’t think his mom being gone bothers him?”
“Sure, but we’re his family. We look after him.”
“You’re an idiot.” Shelby blew another curl off her forehead with a scowl. “As good as the Taggart clan is, being here for each other, Zach may need more ... professional help than we can give him. That’s all I’m saying.” She squinted at him. “Youwerenice to that teacher, right? Didn’t go all grumpy, I-can-do-this-myself caveman on her, did you?”
Guilt socked him like a one-two punch to the midsection. “Uh, no.”
“Uh, yes, you mean. That poor lady. How bad was it?”
He stared at the red-and-white-tile floor. “Not my most commendable moment.”
“You should apologize.”
“She’s probably used to it.”
“Used to getting abuse from parents? Have I mentioned lately that you’re an idiot? No one deserves for people to be mean to them.”
She studied him for another long moment, her eyes unfocusing in that eerie way of hers when she accessed the part of her unique ability that allowed her to read emotions. After a brief wince and a few blinks later, she smiled.
“What in the world?” She laughed. “You like the teacher!”
“Show off. Quit rooting around in my head just because you can.” He leaned back in the chair. “Besides, you’re wrong. Projecting. Wishful thinking.”
“Ouch. Bitter, much?”
“No. Just saying you’ve missed the mark on this one. If you can’t read me, maybe you can’t read Zach, either.” Satisfaction smeared a grin on his face. Take that.
Pain creased her brow. Then a dangerous scowl appeared. “All right, Zoltar, all knowing. You think you got me pegged and I’m making up what my power tells me? Then why don’t you use that truth-or-lie ability on me and find out for sure?”
Well. Shit.
