Page 19 of The Spy Ring

SEVEN

Tiffany

“Eww. Who farted?” I said as my hand flew to my face to cover the stench.

Two arms raised from the couch.

“I did,” David said with pride.

“No, I did,” Henrik said as he jokingly elbowed my son in the side.

“This isn’t a contest.” I moved toward the hallway entrance to avoid the gas cloud.

“Yes, it is,” my son corrected me.

Henrik smiled as he turned his head from the direction of the television that sat on a dark brown bookcase against the wall.

“We just made it up to pass the time. Whoever wins gets to claim the title of fart master. So far, your son’s in the lead.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ve never been prouder. When are you two leaving?”

“The Cubs game doesn’t start until seven tonight, but I’m taking him out to dinner first,” Henrik said just before I heard a squeak escape from underneath him.

His grin grew. “One more point for me.”

I glanced at the clock on the microwave in the kitchen. It was a little after five o’clock.

“Where’s the PT?” David asked.

Henrik glanced up at me. He knew. I called him last night when I got home. He was livid. Henrik wanted to hunt the guy down and make sure he was never able to walk into a building again.

I called the police this morning and an officer stopped by to get my information, but David wasn’t here. He was with my neighbor, Celia. Her kids had grown, and we would invite her over for dinner on occasion. There were times I asked her to watch David for an hour or two, this morning was one of those times. I didn’t want David to worry about what happened.

To take David’s mind off of not having a ninja teacher—as he called Jagger—Henrik promised to take him to the Cubs game.

“He can’t make it anymore. I’m afraid you are getting a new physical therapist. She should be here Monday.”

When I contacted the PT group, they apologized for the mistake. It wasn’t their fault Jagger showed up and I mistook him for the therapist, but I was never contacted about the real PT that never came. They promised that the new PT was one of their best and would be here promptly at four o’clock Monday afternoon.

David’s large, azure eyes softened as his smile fell. Watching the disappointment on my son’s face hurt worse than Jagger wanting to steal from me. I would give up all my possessions if it meant my boy was happy and healthy.

If I ever see that man again, Henrik won’t have to lift a finger. I’d make sure Jagger would need PT for the rest of his life.

“But I liked Jagger. He’s badass.”

“He’s an ass all right,” I mumbled.

“What?” David asked.

I cleared my throat. “You know, I could teach you some ninja moves.”

“You?” Both of them said at the same time.

“Yes. I might be an undercover spy for all you two know.” I threw my hands up.

Henrik stood and began to chuckle. “When did this happen?”

Folding my arms, I walked toward the kitchen. “I would tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.”

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