Page 435 of The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The Second Collection

Brenna snorts. “Okay, stop trying to bullshit the kid. You’re right, True. Maude and Theo hold a lot of power in this room.”

“Is she—” True’s voice cracks. “Is she here to evaluate me? Like for lock-up?”

A chorus ofnoscircles the table.

Maude silences everyone with an upraised hand. “I’m not a psychiatrist, True. I’m a retired nurse. However, you’re right that I have influence. I know many people, including social workers in New Jersey. That’s why I’m here.”

True nods but looks thoroughly cowed.

“This is intimidating tome, much less True,” Bren says. “You can’t bring all this weight down on her. Someone reassure her that she’ll have a safe place to stay tonight at least.”

Master Mac clears his throat. “I can do that. True, did you feel comfortable with Walter and Erma last night?”

True nods.

“They’re happy to have you back. They’ve offered you a place for fourteen days while we get the emergency application pushed through. It doesn’t have to be any more than a place to sleep if you don’t want. But you do have a safe place with them.”

True’s small shoulders drop an inch or two. “Thanks.”

“However, Walter’s insisting that we contact your social worker today,” Mac says. “If you won’t tell us why you feel unsafe, we’re going to have a much harder time arguing that you should stay with Walt and Erma.”

True’s eyes slide from Mac to Brenna. She straightens under Mac’s arm.

“You know what? There’s too much Dom energy in here. It’s giving me indigestion,” Bren says. “How about we build a blanket fort and watch a movie? Subbie time.”

I nod vigorously. Bren and Austin help me clear the table. Georgie starts to rise as well but Maude keeps him at her side with a manicured hand on his arm. After a minute, True gets up from the table and brings us a double-handful of dirty plates.

I thank her with a warm smile and get a shy one in return.

“Was Brenna serious about a blanket fort? Because I’m too old for that,” she says as she lingers next to me at the sink.

“She was,” I confirm. “And I don’t think anyone’s ever too old for a blanket fort and a movie. I’m certainly not.”

True eyes me. “You’re a little, right? I heard Master Logan talking about it. But, um, I’m not really sure what it means. You’re not that small.”

I grin at her. “Little’s not a size. It’s a state of mind. It’s enjoying being taken care of and being free to do things I like doing, regardless of my physical age.”

“Oh.” True scratches her chin. She’s clean, doesn’t smell but I get the feeling she hasn’t been able to take care of herself. Her skin and hair look dry, really dry, like she’s been usingantibacterial soap to wash herself. “I guess a blanket fort and a movie would be okay.”

“Would you like a shower or a bath first? You can use anything in the bathroom.”

“Is there a lock on the door?” she asks.

My heart breaks for her.

“Yes, there is,” I say. “No one will come in. You can use Brenna and Mac’s bathroom if you feel safer in there. They have a really nice bathroom with a screen Brenna painted. It’s very cool.”

True’s eyes shift to where Bren’s returning from the table with another load of plates. “She’s an artist?”

I nod. “Tattoo artist.”

True’s mouth drops open. “Did she do all those tattoos?” She shakes herself. “Sorry, that’s a stupid question. She didn’t do her own tattoos. She couldn’t reach.”

“She drew all of them,” I say. “Another tattooist who works for her did most of the actual tattooing.”

“That’s cool,” True says. “I’d love to get some tattoos.”

“Talk to Brenna about what you’d like done. She does amazing designs and she’ll hold them until you’re old enough.”