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“Yes, his family lives here and so does Tim when he’s not flying all over the state to defend his clients.” Jack’s lips were a thin straight line.
Clearly no love lost between him and Mr. Whitman.
“What does this have to do with Anton?”
“When Tim’s in town we get called to the house often by the neighbors for noise complaints, domestic disturbances.”
“You said there was another reason.”
“Ah, well, Anton fancies himself to be quite the artist. With a spray paint bottle.”
“Oh.” Maggie’s heart dropped.
This wouldn’t have been her first choice for a boyfriend for Lexi, because her first choice was no boyfriend at all. This wasn’t happening. She’d make sure of it.
“Actually, Anton’s not the worst kid I’ve met in town. I guess that’s small comfort, but it’s true, and there’s the fact that his home life is less than ideal.”
“Has he made restitution for his art work?”
“His dad takes care of that.” Jack smirked. “Mostly because he has no choice if he wants to avoid having his son work it off with community service. Most of the kids working community service hours off are pretty troubled. It wouldn’t do to have his kid mixing with that crowd, I’m guessing.”
“I knew this would be a roller coaster, but I didn’t know this particular ride would start so soon. I am so not ready for this.” She couldn’t help but cradle her head in her hands.
“Yeah. I could tell.” His mouth twisted back another one of those smiles.
Please don’t hold back. Not on my account.
“She’s too young for a boyfriend. I won’t have it.”
Maybe the thing to do was put her foot down and be extremely strict with Lexi since she’d never tried that approach. Lexi had always been a good kid until recently.
“I’ll keep an eye out for Lexi. I promise you that.”
“You’ve already tried to help. You talked to Lexi like I asked you to and she repaid you by—well, you know.” She feared what might come next if he tried to help.
“It’s not a problem.”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted nothing to do with either one of us,” Maggie said.
Jack cocked his head and his voice was soft when he spoke. “Why?”
It amazed her that he didn’t realize. But then he was probably used to difficult kids, something she had no experience with before. Thanks to Lexi, she was becoming an expert.
“You really have to ask that? After the cigar?”
“I did get it back.”
“But she still has to pay restitution. I’m sending Lexi over soon so you can teach her how to mow your lawn.”
“It’s really not necessary.”
“Yes it is. I can’t tell you how sorry I am that I didn’t believe you right away. I’ve been told that I always want to see the best in people. Especially my daughter.”
“There’s nothing wrong with hoping for the best in people. Maybe the world needs more people like you in it, and less like me.” He sounded like he meant it, and Maggie swallowed.
“You don’t mean that. You’re a cop, and it’s your job to suspect people. I suppose somebody has to do it.”
“Well, the cigar meant a lot to me.”
