Page 43 of Ruthless

“Because the political books get him upset.” He grinned. “Messing with his guns always calms him down even though he doesn’t hunt anymore.”

“He has a lot of guns?”

Jimmy grinned. “A few. He keeps them locked up, but I’ve seen them all. There are shotguns, rifles, and pistols… he’s always had guns—he loves them. He even taught me how to clean a rifle. I bet Kayla doesn’t even know how to do that. I’m a good shot too, but I don’t like the noise, even though we wear ear protection.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I wouldn’t like that either.”

“He did say he had an idea about how to get people to listen to him, but he didn’t say what it was, and I didn’t ask.”

“That’s probably wise.”

Jimmy raised an eyebrow. “You know, if I didn’t have to worry about saying something that would upset him, things would be good.”

“You can’t worry about that all the time.”

“It’s better if I do.”

She nodded. “You’re a smart kid.” Then, seeing he was shifting his weight uncomfortably, probably eager to get back to recess, or at least away from her, she let him go.

He wasn’t just smart; he was a survivor. He’s managed to learn to deal with something a kid shouldn’t have to deal with, and he does it in a very adult manner.

It made her wonder if she’d handle a situation like that as well as her twelve-year-old student. Now there was a sobering thought.

Chapter 11

The phone rangand she stared at it. “You going to answer that thing, or have you found a way to read the phone that the rest of us don’t know about?” Ronan asked.

They were in the schoolyard at the end of the day.

“No new magic. I keep getting calls from this number, but the caller hangs up when I answer. That’s the fourth call today. I want to see if they leave a voice message.”

“Makes sense.” Ronan looked around the yard. “Just a suggestion, but I wouldn’t erase the records of those calls or any messages the caller leaves.”

She put the phone in her pocket. “Why not? Oh, and no message.”

“In case something happens.”

“Like what?”

Jett picked up the conversation. “Anything that shouldn’t happen. If the person decided to talk, and they were a crank, it would be good to have evidence for the police that you were being harassed.”

She caught the look on his face. “You have an idea what’s going on, don’t you?”

“A theory, not an idea. It’s one I’d prefer to keep to myself for now.”

She looked at Ronan. “Are you going to be as cryptic?”

He shrugged. “Sorry, but yeah.”

She huffed a sigh. “Okay.”

At the sound of laughter, they both looked over to where Kayla was talking with Jimmy. He’d been more relaxed that day, and now he was actually talking to her. Her voice got a little louder. “So, will you ask him?”

Jimmy looked uncomfortable. “I guess. I don’t think…”

“Ask,” she said.

“What’s going on?” Tessa asked Ronan.

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