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But she should have the power to decide who knew the details of her life.
“I routinely get security clearance on anyone who comes near Jason,” Trey said in a tight voice.
“I’m a cop,” she said. “Why can’t people remember that?”
“I know you’re a cop, but there are always rotten apples.”
“So I’m a crooked cop?”
“You know I didn’t say that.”
“But you suspected I was involved with Jason’s kidnappers?”
“Not anymore.” Trey stood and threw his napkin to the table. “But Brian ordered the clearance the first day, and I only received the report this morning.”
“I want to see it,” she said.
“Fair enough.”
“What’s wrong, Mommy?”
Kelly whirled at the sound of Jason’s voice. With tousled damp hair and clean pajamas, he stood in the doorway of the dining room looking worriedly from his father and then back to her.
“Why are you yelling?” Jason asked.
Kelly took a deep breath. Poor little dude had been through enough without listening to his parents fighting. God, she remembered what it was like when her mother and Roy started hurling furious words at each other. She’d always hid under the bed, waiting for the inevitable sound of the first blow and her mother’s piercing wails afterward.
She’d sworn that she would never put a child through that kind of pain. It was one reason she became a cop.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice shaky. “Just a silly argument. I didn’t mean to yell.”
“Are you ready for some TV, buddy?” Trey asked.
Jason nodded solemnly.
With a sharp pang to her gut, Kelly intuitively knew he was terrified the angry words meant his mother was leaving him again. Just how many arguments had he suffered through between his real mother and father? Did he think that was why his mom had gone away?
She hurried over, lifted Jason into her arms and hugged him close. Smelling of baby shampoo, he hooked his arms around her neck.
“I’m sorry if I scared you,” she said, meeting Trey’s gaze over Jason’s shoulder. Trey’s mouth was pinched. He looked as guilt ridden as she felt. “Everything is okay.”
Jason’s warm body relaxed in her arms. He trusted her. He believed her. But in her opinion everything was most certainly not okay. So now she was a liar.
“Instead of TV, why don’t I read you a story before you go to sleep?” Kelly suggested.
Jason pulled back so he could see her face, his blue eyes wide. “A story?”
“Sure,” she said. Surely his real mother read him stories at bedtime. Even her mom had managed that on occasion.
“Do you have a favorite?” she asked. She recalled a shelf full of books in his bedroom.
“I’m sure we can find one,” Trey said, taking Jason from her arms. Kelly sighed in relief when the heavy child went willingly to his father.
Inside Jason’s bedroom, Kelly selected a book from the shelf whose cover featured an adorable brown-and-white puppy while Trey pulled two chairs next to the bed. When she sat with the book, Jason stared at her with such wide eyes Kelly decided this must be a novel experience. His mom must not have been much of a reader.
She glanced at Trey, and he nodded. By unspoken agreement, their conflict over her security clearance had been postponed.
She began to read. “Rocket was a happy puppy who liked to explore.”
By the end of a few pages, she realized she’d selected a story featuring a curious little puppy who wandered away from his mother, got lost and met friends and enemies while trying to find her. She assumed it was a cautionary tale for children about staying close to home.
But this might not be such a great choice for a little boy who’d lost his own mother.
She shot Jason a look to judge his reaction. His eyes were closed. Was he already asleep?
“Why did you stop?” he mumbled. And then yawned.
She continued with the story. When she read, “The end,” a short time later, Jason’s eyes were still closed, his breathing regular.
“I think he’s out,” Trey whispered.
Making as little noise as possible, Kelly stood and switched off the bedside light. Jason’s face appeared sweet and totally at peace. If only.
