Page 80 of Reckoning

Tate was driving, and Abel was asleep in the back seat. Coming back to Star Ridge was an adrenaline crash for his parents, and the skin was crawling on the back of Tate’s neck. It felt like he was driving into yet another storm, but of a different kind, and he felt the need to warn them.

“Dad, I need you to wake up.”

Abel woke up, and Lilith looked at her son. “What’s wrong?” Abel asked.

“We’re almost home, and I’m not sure what I’m driving into,” he said.

“What do you mean?” Lilith asked.

“I think there are all kinds of people…strangers…in town. They’re all looking for me. Not sure why. I don’t feel any danger, just hassle and intrusion.”

“Every public thing you do has consequences,” Lilith said. “That little boy you saved. His kidnapping was all over the news. Maybe you were given public credit as well for his return, just like Amy Wells did on her broadcast after the police stopped her stalker.”

Tate sighed. “All that does is make you part of the collateral damage of who I am. You and Dad are going to have to leave to find peace.”

“You haven’t finished school,” Lilith said.

“Maybe I have. Maybe I haven’t. I have to talk to Mr. Autry when we get home.”

“What’s going on?” she asked.

Tate eased past a stop sign and took a left off Main Street. “It has to do with the first time I began first grade and then was kept out a year. It may mean something. It may not.”

“What about the strangers?” Abel asked.

“I’ll deal with them,” Tate said. “You and Mom are officially relieved of being bodyguards and guardians. If you don’t know who’s at the door, don’t answer it. You can just be my parents now.”

“We’ll stand back,” Abel said. “But we’re never going to ignore what’s happening to you. That’s called being a parent. Understood?”

Tate grinned. “Yes, sir. Understood.” He pulled up beneath their carport.

“Lilith, honey, you open the door and go on in. Tate and I will get the bags,” Abel said. As soon as Lilith went into the house, Abel saw a news van turn a corner and head toward their house. “And…here they come.”

Tate didn’t even look up. “Feels good to be out of the car. I’ve got these two. You get Mom’s stuff. I’m right behind you,” Tate said, and in the door they went.

Tate carried the two big bags to his parents’ bedroom and left them near the bed. His bag was sitting just inside his bedroom door. There was already a knock at the door as he was putting his phone on the charger.

“I’ll get it,” he said, and strode through the house and opened the door.

There was a camera aimed at him and a reporter ready to shove a mic in his face.

The first words out of his mouth were, “Are you serious? You think stalking and sneak attacks are going to get you a scoop? We drove eight hours to get home. We just walked in the house. Nobody’s even had a chance to pee, and here you come unannounced. How many of you people are already in town?”

The reporter stuttered. “I’m not sure. Maybe four or five different…”

Tate rolled his eyes. “Good grief. Okay…here’s the deal. I will meet with all of you…once…and all at the same time. You can take turns asking questions and then we’re done here. I’m sure you know by now where the gazebo is in the city park. I will be there in a couple of hours. And I’m leaving it to you to share this news with the other media present, because if you don’t let all of them know, then there won’t be an interview with anyone. Understood?”

He closed the door in their faces and went back to his room to gather up his dirty clothes.

Abel was grinning as Tate walked through the kitchen on his way to the utility room.

“Not even time to pee,” he said, then chuckled. “I guess you are ready to take care of business,” he said. “I’m about to call Curly to let him know we’re back and that I’ll be at work tomorrow. Your mama is outside, fretting about the tomatoes that went unpicked.”

Tate nodded. “And I need to check in with Mr. Autry about something.” He started his load of laundry, then went to the kitchen to use the landline and called the school again, and Della answered.

“Star Ridge Public Schools. How may I direct your call?”

“Hi, Miss Della, it’s me, Tate Bandy. Is Mr. Autry in?”