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My face falls. “Go wash your face,” I squeak out, because there is actual jam on his face. My phone, however? Blood.
Rolling his eyes, he stomps up the steps, and I round on Agent Hayes. “If there is nothing else I can do for you…” I trail off.
“Oh, but it’s what I can do for you.” He sips his coffee as he steps into my living room. He doesn’t look away from me once, which has the hair on my neck rising. He focuses on me as he steps closer. “Do you walk or drive Milo to school?”
“Excuse me?” I frown.
“Well, the elementary school is four blocks away. It’s within walking distance, so do you walk or drive?” he asks. His words are slow and measured, as though he thinks about each one before uttering a sound.
“Drive,” Milo says. “And we need to go.”
“Perfect, I’ll drive.” Agent Hayes smirks and walks away, leaving me sputtering.
What is happening?
“Excuse me?”
“Lottie.” Milo sighs. “He’s an FBI agent. We are safe with him, and he said he wouldn’t arrest you.”
Resigned, I clutch my phone, its screen stained with blood, then I slide my feet into my shoes. Agent Hayes’ presence, though reassuring, raises my skepticism. It’s almost too convenient, too effortless. In my experience, nobody steps into someone’s life solely to provide safety. There’s inevitably an ulterior motive, a concealed agenda.
“Are you in third grade?” Agent Hayes opens the door for all of us, and as one, we spill onto the porch.
Milo tugs his bookbag closed as Hayes leads us to his sedan. Across the street is a cruiser, and I wave. It’s two different cops than the ones I met last night.
Thankful that Jani or Mr. Benson isn’t out, I follow Hayes and Milo to the car. Milo tosses his plain blue bookbag inside and then sits to buckle in. Hayes surprises me by ensuring he’s settled before opening my passenger door.
His car smells like leather and spice. It’s that masculine scent I often associate with a guy, but not just any guy, though, one that is all man.
Stop romanticizing the guy, Charlotte.
As the door shuts, I blow out an unsteady breath, hoping that Milo doesn’t see the cruiser, but he’s smart and observant. He probably already saw it and is just keeping it to himself.
Luckily, he’ll be safe at school all day.
“So…” Hayes slides into his seat and starts the car. Warm air blows out of the vents and blasts me in the face, chasing away the chill from our short walk to the car. “Third grade?” he repeats.
“Yes,” Milo says. “Do you know you can’t lick your own elbow?”
“No?” Hayes humors Milo as he pulls out onto the street. “You know, I’ll try that as soon as possible.”
“It is impossible. I tried last night,” Milo mutters. “Albert licks his own elbow.”
“Who’s Albert?” Hayes glances at me.
“Kitten.” One I forgot existed until now. It’s taken all my energy to keep Milo alive, so I hope I don’t kill his kitten.
As we get to the end of the block, the crossing guard waves us toward the school. So many little children walk toward the building with laughter in their eyes. Innocence permeates the air, and yet not a mile away, a murder occurred.
At the end of the block is another cruiser, watching the kids. The first time I noticed them there, I felt put off, but today, I’m thankful.
“The drop-off line begins there.” I direct him to the front of the building and drop-off line. “Milo, have a great day, okay?” I turn in the seat as he unbuckles. He leans forward to give me his head, where I plant a kiss, and then he opens the door, rushing toward the entrance. The back door clicks shut as I watch him enter the building, and the tension gradually fades from my shoulders.
“When you said brother, I assumed a teenager,” Hayes says, pulling out of the drop-off lane.
“He was a surprise,” I say softly, turning in my seat to face the agent. “Why are you here, Hayes?”
“So I haven’t yet graduated from Agent to Matty yet? What’s the secret password to unlock that privilege?” he teases with a sidelong glance. I remain tight-lipped. I’m hungry for answers, and he’s doling them out like breadcrumbs in a dark forest. There is no way I am going to spill everything to him. “I wasn’t joking when I said you’d need protection,” he continues, his voice carrying a note of seriousness.
