I nodded and accepted a side hug from her.
Tommy joined us after finally shooing away the first responders, including a cute gal who was worrying over the cut on his forehead.
“Hey, man,” Joel said. “Our insurance will cover any medical expenses that you have.”
Tommy shook his head, then swayed from the movement. Ozzie and Joel started, but he put his hand up. “Just got my bell rung, fellas. I’ve done a lot worse to myself on a bender.”
Before they could respond, Sheriff Cavanaugh joined us, notepad in hand. “Guys, I’m sorry this happened,” he said. “I’ve got my best folks on the case. “
“Thanks, Uncle Ry,” Ozzie said, a grim set to his mouth.
One of the investigators handed Sheriff Cavanaugh a clipboard. He scanned the information, shaking his head. “Anyone know what might have set this off?”
The truth sat like a rock in my gut, because in the middle of all this, I was worried about Sheriff Cavanaugh finding out I wasn’t as straight as I’d thought. Even though he’d never know about my collection of toys, or the things Ozzie and I had gotten up to, my cheeks heated at the prospect of telling the truth.
“You don’t have to say anything,” Ozzie murmured, hand light on my back.
I closed my eyes. “I do. It’s the right thing to do. Besides, it will look bad if he finds out after the fact that this is tied to the complaint.”
Ozzie thinned his lips. “Okay, but I’m here for you.”
I swallowed the acid rising from my stomach and cleared my throat. Nothing to do but face it. “Uh, Sheriff?”
Sheriff Cavanaugh turned to me, surprise in the lift of his eyebrows. “Walker? Do you have some information?” he asked, his pen poised to take notes.
My eyes hit the sidewalk, and I took the biggest breath I possibly could, nearly choking on it.
“Just breathe normally, son,” he said.
I did as he suggested, though I still wanted to throw up.
“Why don’t you step over here with me and Detective Crow?” he asked, pointing to a spot away from the crowd of people.
I followed them. Allie and Joel stayed with Tommy, but Ozzie wouldn’t leave my side.
Quick like a Band-Aid.
“So, I’m pretty sure this has to do with a complaint that was made about me to the school district.”
“What kind of complaint?”
“I’ve been put on administrative leave because someone accused me of grooming my students.”
Sheriff Cavanaugh stopped writing to look at Oz, as if checking to see if he believed the accusation. Ozzie shook his head, his posture resolute.
“Sexually?” Detective Crow asked. She was in civilian clothing but looked every bit like a law enforcement professional.
I shoved my hands into my pockets. “Yes. It was an anonymous report, filed through the district’s website, but the district is taking it seriously, of course. The latest I’ve heard is that when they reached out to the provided email, the complainant had no actual data to back up the accusations. I’m still technically on leave, though, until it’s cleared through the union and the school district.”
Detective Crow tapped on her clipboard, seeming to mull over my words. “And why do you think this incident is related to that accusation?”
“The letters on the mural. I think they were trying to spellgroomer.”
“Why would they make the same allegation about the two of you?” she asked, looking between me and Oz. “Do you know who might have done this?”
I let out a sigh, knowing my next words would sever, forever, my relationship with my family. “I’m pretty sure it was my parents.”
Sheriff Cavanaugh’s head snapped up. “What? Why?”
