Page 29 of Jack of All Trades

“Yes. As a matter of fact, I’d love that.”

When they got back to Maltin’s warehouse, however, there was a car parked in front, and Maltin got out, ready to accost whoever it was, telling them to leave. But then the man got out of his champagne-colored Buick Encore, and they both saw it was the investigator, a briefcase in his hand.

Jack moved to Maltin and grabbed his hand. “He looks…”

Jack didn’t have to finish his thought. They could both see the way Dennis Peterson’s brows were creased hard together, his mouth a thin slash on his face. “Maltin,” Jack whispered.

“It’ll be okay, Jack. I promise I’ll make sure it’s okay.”

They greeted the man, and then Maltin invited him upstairs. He asked if they’d like tea, but Peterson nodded over to the bar. “Might want to get your mate a drink.”

Jack’s eyes grew into saucers, so Maltin poured him a drink and one for himself.

They sat together on the couch while Peterson sat across from them in the scoop chair. “Gentlemen, I’m just going to get this out. Jack…you are the victim of people’s fear of your…your parents.”

“What are you talking about?” Jack said in a tiny voice, and Maltin wrapped an arm around him.

“Yes, what are you saying?”

“I looked up your parents, Jack, and I’m sure it didn’t escape you that you don’t exactly look like either of your parents.”

Jack stiffened and said, “Yeah, I’m blond, they’re not. So?”

Maltin closed his eyes to brace himself, but he thought he knew what Peterson was about to say, and he was right.

“Jack, I found one of the nurses who was in the hospital that day. She’s nearing ninety and in poor health. She no longer cares about any wrath from the hospital or the Pengroves.” He cleared his throat and opened the briefcase, taking a folder from it. “She gave me a statement, and, if you don’t mind, I’ll tell you an abbreviated version, then I’ll give you the full report.”

“Just tell him, please,” Maltin urged aggressively.

“Of course. Well, Jack, when their child was born dead, the baby was rushed from the room, seemingly to administer lifesaving treatment to it, although the doctors knew it was no use. Your father was already threatening them, as at the last checkup his wife had, the doctor told them the baby was healthy and right on track. They were in fear for their lives, and also in fear of being sued. Another child was born healthy and alive in the next delivery room. They switched the children, telling your real parents, who’d had two miscarriages already, that their one living child had passed away.”

Jack wrenched from him and started to pace around; his voice thick with sadness. “I’m…I’m not theirs? I was stolen from my family?”

“I’m afraid so, Jack. I’m very sorry, and the nurse, Ruth Madrid, is ready to testify against the hospital for you.”

“All these years, I felt like a freak, no powers, my family treating me like a pariah, and I wasn’t theirs?”

Maltin got up to Grab Jack in his arms. “We’ll find your real family, Jack, I swear it.”

“Uh, if you’ll indulge me a bit longer, I have found them.”

Jack broke from Maltin’s arms again and moved closer to Peterson. “What? Did you…tell them about me?”

“I haven’t spoken to them, Jack. I didn’t think I had the right or the okay from you, my client.”

Maltin sat back on the couch and motioned for Jack to join him. When he did, Maltin took his hand and was determined to keep him close. “What should we do?”

Peterson looked to Maltin and said, “That’s up to Jack and you, as his mate. In my opinion, be gentle if you contact them. They had no idea their child was alive all this time. It will be a shock for both families.”

“Not for the Pengroves,” Jack spat. “They’ll be overjoyed.”

“Baby, I’m sure that’s not true.”

“Oh, really? They hate me, kept me hidden from the time they knew I had no powers like them.”

“Jack, I realize this is difficult for you, but faced with the fact that their real child died, I would tread carefully. They are witches, yes?”

“Yes.”

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