Page 56 of Every Breath

“Paul, what can I say? Did you get in trouble? How could all this have happened?”

“I got a talking to, but you know Peter is a big old softie when he wants to be. Besides, JC has taken a special interest in this case. He’s rooting for you.”

“JC? Are you kidding me? He’s never involved himself in Watcher business before.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t normally, but then we’ve never let a Watcher come back to earth in the flesh before, either. There’s been concern that since you were able to come back, some of the others might want to do the same.”

“Have we started something?”

“Amanda Collins is also involved, so it’s bigger than you and me now. Anyway, perhaps you should think about visiting Tina in the hospital soon.”

“What’s going to happen to her? She’s been through so much.”

“Right now she’s at Children’s Hospital. The Thornton’s are no longer able to take care of her and she has no relatives to claim her.”

“So she’ll be just another victim of the system.”

“Unfortunately. Most people who are looking to adopt want babies or very young children. Tina is not only seven but she’s not socially developed for a kid her age. Now that this has happened, it’s another strike against her.”

“How could anyone do this to a child? Something has got to be done.”

“Actually, at the moment I’m more worried about you. I think you ought to be more careful.”

“I can take care of myself, but do you think he’ll do anything to hurt Ben or Karen?”

“I don’t think so. He hasn’t seen Karen since he got the information he wanted from her.”

“What about Ben?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll watch out for him and keep you informed.”

“And Brandi and the kids?”

“I’m only one spirit. I can’t be in two places at once.”

“Damn. We’ve got to stop him. He’s too dangerous.”

Paul was silent for a moment before he spoke again. “I have an idea.”

“Mom, what’s wrong?”

Brandi stopped chopping the vegetables for her stew. She plastered the biggest smile she could muster on her face before answering her daughter.

“Nothing’s wrong, sweetie. Do you want to help with dinner?”

“Sure.” Mya shrugged.

Brandi handed her a bowl of peeled potatoes. “Here, rinse these off for me and make sure they’re clean, then you can take out the table settings.”

Mya took the bowl from her. “Mom, I know something is wrong because you didn’t say anything when DJ called me bubble butt.”

“Did he? Well, I’ll talk to him about it later. I guess my mind has been on other things.”

“Is it your boyfriend?”

Brandi nearly dropped the knife. “What are you talking about? I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Well, ever since Uncle Rodney stopped coming around, you drop us off at Grandma’s and Aunt Lisa’s a lot, and when you pick us up you’re always whistling. Missy says it’s because you’ve got a boyfriend.”

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