Page 23 of Inferno

“What happened when that kid asked you that question? You looked…well, you looked terrified.” Concerned blue eyes searched Stan’s face. “What spooked you?”

Instead of responding, Stan turned back to the wall to survey Mason’s colorful drawing of their family. He’d posed them against the backdrop of their large white house with the black shutters and pretty rose beds that Mama Wolf had planted for them during her first visit to Coronado. In the sketch, Stan was practically a giant who towered above everyone else.Larger than life.

My daddy’s the best fireman in the world. So he’s never gonna die!

Undaunted by Stan’s stony silence, Jake continued, “You’ve been doing school visits for fourteen years now, so I’m sure you’ve heard that question before. What made today different?”

Stan swallowed hard.

Thankfully he was spared from answering when the dismissal bell rang, releasing hordes of noisy children from their classrooms.

As soon as Mason appeared, Stan scooped him up and swung him onto his shoulders, making the boy squeal with delight as his peers looked on enviously.

“Come on,” Stan told Mason, “let’s go get your brothers.”

“Okay!” He waved at Jake. “Bye, Sparky!”

Jake winked at him. “Bye, Mason. Be good.”

“That’s whatIshould be tellingyou,” Stan said, watching as Jake edged toward the open doorway of Mason’s classroom. “What’re you up to?”

Jake grinned mischievously. “I’m just gonna see if Miss Dominguez needs any help, you know, erasing the chalkboard.”

Stan chuckled.“Riiight.”

As he moved off with Mason perched astride his shoulders, Jake called after him, “Enjoy your time off, lieutenant.”

“Thanks, rookie,” Stan called back. “Stay out of trouble.”

“You, too.”

I’m trying, Stan thought as he strode down the bustling hallway, oblivious to the awestruck stares of children he passed.God knowsI’m trying.