Page 91 of The Holiday Fakers
A woman rushes up with a worried expression. “I hope he’s not bothering you, Mr King.”
“Not at all. Billy’s been teaching me how he tracks animals with his grandpa.”
“Poop!” Billy says happily to his mother.
“Billy!” she replies, but her stern expression is cracking.
“See! It’s funny!”
“Say thank you to Mr King, then let’s get you to Grandpa’s.”
“Please, call me Brody,” I say with a smile, then hold out my hand to Billy again. “Good luck with the tracking.”
“Thank you.” He shakes my hand firmly, then lets his mother draw him away. They’re just about to exit the carpeted area when he turns his head and mouths the word “poop” at me again.
“What are you laughing at?” Marv asks as he comes to my side.
“The kid. He’s got my sense of humor.”
“Jeez, God help him. Anyway, you did great. Mia got some good photos, and Piper has perked up a bit. We’re off to the Locke Reserve now for the sock running thing. There’ll be hot dogs and spiced cider, because apparently that’s the drink we’re all supposed to appreciate today. Don’t worry. Cara checked, and there’ll be hot spiced apple juice for you.”
“How long are you both staying in Hideaway?”
“However long it takes.”
“You’re going to keep Cara working overChristmas?”
Marv doesn’t respond.
“Seriously? For fuck’s sake, Marv! Let her go home to see her mom and sister. You don’t need her here.”
He shrugs, not meeting my eye, and I wonder if he’s keeping her around because he’s lonely and likes the company.
“Marv!”
He throws his hands up. “All right, all right. I’ll get her on a plane back to Milwaukee.”
“Do it now. She’ll have to connect somewhere like Philly or Newark from Bangor, so make sure you sort it today while there are still flights.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I still don’t trust him, so I go over to her.
The moment I arrive at Cara’s side, Piper heads off to her mom. The move looks natural, but I can’t help feeling it’s to put distance between us.
Alice smiles at me. “I’ve emailed Cara a list of books you might like to read.”
“I appreciate it, thank you.”
Alice is drawn away and I turn to Cara.
“I’ve told Marv to get you on a plane back to Milwaukee by tomorrow,” I say to her. “You need a holiday from the Brody circus.”
There’s a pause, and I can guess she’s forcing herself not to insist she stay to help. “Are you su?—”
“Yes. Make sure you book it yourself. Don’t wait for him to accidentally-on-purpose forget.”
The corner of her mouth twitches. “Thank you. I haven’t seen them for nearly a year now.”
