Andi looked down at the sleeping boy. “Define successful.” He sighed. “We were able to identify the ghosts and find out how they died and what they want. I think they’re gone now. The pill bugs couldn’t sense them anymore when you came.”
“That’s good news.” George’s tone implied he was very much aware that all was not good.
“Yeah. Good news.” He emptied his cup. “We better call his mother.”
To say Chief Norris was calm and collected when she came to pick up her son was like saying the Niagara Falls were nothing but a calm little trickle. The woman oscillated between worry, anger, general agitation, and despair. She telegraphed them loud enough for anybody to pick up and because the arthropods in the house amplified them, Andi felt like standing in the midst of a tornado. To make matters worse, he was supposed to have a meaningful discussion with the source of his current misery, whose agitation did not lessen by what he had to tell her.
“So, you’re saying Tyler found the murderer?”
“Yes. A man named Troy Namara, cousin of Tina Namara, who was poisoned by her own mother. Troy shot Boyd and buried him in his back yard. The ghosts aren’t after revenge. They want to rest side by side.”
“And they won’t stop pestering Tyler until this happens?” Chief Norris sounded resigned.
“Probably not. Though I think the worst is behind him. We have all the information. Now it’s just a question of carrying out their will. Maybe Agent Gelman can help here.”
“We’ve already discussed this. I don’t really want him anywhere near my son.”
“I know. I’m sure he will respect that. He will also jump at the chance to do something for Tyler.”
“Because he wants him for his agency. Like my father.” Norris made a face. It was fascinating what that woman could convey nonverbally.
“Yes. Though that’s in the future and why shouldn’t you capitalize on his interest now? Besides, the chances that Tyler is going to end up working for the office are quite high as you well know. Getting him acquainted with them now on your terms might not be the worst idea.”
“I hate it when you’re right, Hayes.”
“Which I’m almost always.”
There was a hint of a smile twitching Norris’s lips. They were probably never going to be friends, but they both wanted what was best for Tyler. There were worse things tying people together than the well-being of a teenager.
“You also need to start monitoring his diet. If his gift is anything like my geschenk, he’s going to burn calories faster than he can ingest them.”
Her eyes widened. “I always thought you were just the wiry type. Like my father.”
“To be honest, I don’t know what body type I am because I never got a chance to find out. Though I’m sure I wouldn’t be like this if it weren’t for the geschenk.”
“What do I feed him?”
Andi looked at George, who was still sitting on the couch next to Tyler, who was slowly waking up. “George tries to get as many vitamins into me as possible. Tyler is still growing, so I guess he needs carbohydrates and fat. Anything that keeps.” Andi shrugged. “Sorry, I’m not good at feeding myself.”
“You do look better since Detective Donovan started taking care of you.” She went to the couch and stroked Tyler’s head. “Hey, baby. Are you awake?”
“I’m not a baby.” Sleepy, petulant Tyler was kind of cute.
“Of course not. Are you ready to go home? Detective Hayes says you know what happened to the ghosts.”
Tyler sat up. “Yes.” He shuddered. “It was terrible, Mom. They were killed! I know where the weapon is that Troy used to shoot Boyd. And I know where Boyd is. He wants his remains to be with Tina’s. Mom, they hated them so much. Why did they hate them so much?”
Chief Norris took Tyler in her arms, holding him like only a mother could. The pain in her eyes melted some more of Andi’s resentment toward her. It couldn’t be easy seeing your own child suffering and not being able to do anything about it, even worse, knowing where that path could lead your child. He didn’t envy her the cards life had dealt her.
Over Tyler’s head, she met Andi’s gaze and nodded. “I’ll take care of it. It’s okay, Tyler. Let’s get you home. Mommy is going to make it all right.” This time Tyler didn’t protest the motherly talk. He simply sniffled and went with the chief who bid Andi and George goodbye.
Andi followed her to the door. “If you need anything else, please call.”
Momentarily, true surprise showed on Chief Norris’s face. “Thank you, detective. I will.”
Then, she and Tyler were gone.
CHAPTER 25
