Page 71 of Pyro

“I have every right to speak to any child in this school. I am the principal.”

“Actually asshole, no you don’t,” Scribe grinned. “According to federal law, you cannot talk to a minor without calling the parent or guardian first. As the principal, you should know that and since you called Skylar after the fact, you broke the law. Which now raises another concern. Who was in the room with you when you talked to Cameron?”

“There was no one.”

“You mean to tell me you had a minor alone in a room without a witness?”

“I don’t like what you are implying, sir.”

“Not implying anything. Just stating a fact, Mr. Kellerman.” Scribe said, grinning before adding. “In accordance with Virginia State Law, it is mandatory to have two adults of the opposite sex present in the room when interviewing or questioning any child under the age of twelve.”

“And who are you, sir?” Mr. Kellerman asked snippily.

“Names Dimeter Malpas, former Marine Special Forces, brother in the Sons of Hell MC, and licensed attorney in the State of Virginia.”

“And my attorney,” I added, just as a woman walked into the office.

“My name is Julie Meza. I’m with Child Protective Services. May I please speak with Principal Kellerman?”

“That’s me. How can I help you?”

“You have a student by the name of Cameron Hobbs. My office received a call an hour ago that he is being abused.”

“What!” Skylar gasped, then angrily turned towards the principal. “You called CPS!”

“No,” Mr. Kellerman said, shaking his head. “No, I didn’t.”

“I think we all need to take this some place private,” Scribe said quietly as Sheriff McClure walked in.

I didn’t know what the hell was going on.

“Boys, Mrs. Montclair,” Sheriff McClure frowned, walking over to us. “It’s a good thing you are here. I need to speak with your brother, Skylar.”

“So let me get this straight,” I said, rubbing my forehead before pointing at the principal, the CPS lady and then sheriff McClure. “All of you received an anonymous call regarding Cameron within the last hour.”

All three of them nodded.

“Well, I don’t know about you, but something isn’t right here. First off, Cameron is building a still, but not for what you think, Mr. Kellerman. The kid plans to demonstrate the process of converting horse manure into a bio-degradable form of fossil fuel. As for the abuse claim, my wife has never, not once, touched her brother in anger and neither have I nor any of my brothers. In fact, the kid gets away with murder half the time. And why exactly are you here, McClure?”

“Got a call that Cameron threatened to harm a classmate.”

“What is going on, Chase?” Skylar asked, as tears rolled down her face. “None of this makes sense. Cameron would never hurt anyone.”

“I know, baby,” I said, gathering her in my arms. “Someone is just playing a sick joke.”

“I understand your distress, Mrs. Montclair, but I still need to see your brother,” the CPS lady said. “I am required by law to investigate every allegation of abuse. Even if it is a false claim.”

Holding Skylar tighter, she nodded.

A few minutes later, Cameron came rushing into the conference room excitedly. “Sky, guess what?!”

Skylar smiled, hugging her brother. “What, buddy?”

“I get to bring home Fred for the night. Don’t worry, I will watch him. I promise.”

“Who’s Fred?”

“My class pet. Fred’s a bullfrog. He’s so cool.”

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