He sat up. He’d reached a decision. He was going to stay in it for the whole game. He’d stick with Daniel until the kid had sniffed out all the relics. Then and only then would Leroy cash in his chips. When that day came, as a special reward to himself for being patient, he’d blow the kid’s brains out gratis. But not today. He sighed deeply with a sense of fleeting disappointment. Nope. This wasn’t the day.
Leroy lay back down and drew the covers around his shoulders. The sun would be up soon. They had an early flight back to the states in the morning. There wasn’t any more to be done tonight. With stolid composure, he settled down to catch forty winks before dawn.
Chapter 40 –Ties That Bind
Zachary and Faye sat facing one another in the parlor. The boy’s backpack rested on the floor next to his feet.
A car motor could be heard outside and then a gentle rap on the front door.
Faye rose to answer. When she swung the door open, she was greeted by a woman and a man—Zachary’s parents. The woman was about forty with black hair pulled so tightly into a bun that her eyebrows seemed to be permanently lifted in surprise. The man was tall with a sallow complexion. He wore a drab brown suit that matched the color of his eyes and hair.
“Marta, Bill, please come in.” Faye stepped back to allow them to enter.
“Granny Faye!” Marta exclaimed and swept the tiny old woman into an embrace. “So good to see you.”
Her husband followed her lead and bent down to give Faye a peck on the cheek. “Hello, Granny,” he murmured.
The couple’s demeanor changed the minute they set eyes on the boy on the couch.
“You have a lot of explaining to do, young man!” the woman said sharply.
Faye interposed herself between mother and son. “Don’t be too hard on the boy, Marta. He’s been a model house guest while he was here.”
Zach gave Faye a furtive look of thanks. He apparently wasn’t sure if his brief career as a burglar was going to be a topic of discussion.
“I certainly hope so!” his father exclaimed. “Do you have any idea how many decades you’re going to be grounded?”
“I believe I’ve punished him enough already.” Faye gestured for her guests to seat themselves. “He’s actually been working quite hard during his visit.”
“Yeah, and I’ve got the battle scars to prove it.” The boy held out his hands for inspection. His fingers and palms were covered in blisters. “Staying with Gamma was kind of like being on work release.”
“Good!” his father said. “Maybe you’ll think twice next time before taking off and worrying us half to death.”
Zachary looked down at the carpet but said nothing.
“Bill, I do think he’s learned his lesson.” Faye tried to forestall any more scolding by changing the subject. “Where’s Sally? I haven’t seen her since last Christmas.”
“She’s home studying,” Marta replied. “Just like Zach should be.”
“Gimme a break,” the boy moaned. “It’s summer!”
“Sally is taking extra credit courses.” The woman glared at the boy. “Just like you should be.”
Zach rolled his eyes but kept silent.
“Can I offer either of you some refreshments?” Faye asked tentatively.
“No need,” Marta replied. “We’ll only be staying a few minutes. Just long enough to collect this one.”
“Are you ready to go?” his father asked.
“All packed for the gulag,” Zachary muttered under his breath. He stood up and slung his backpack over his arm.
Just then, an assertive knock was heard on the front door.
“Gracious me, who can that be?” Faye speculated.
Before she could rise, Zach darted over to the foyer. “I’ll get it,” he volunteered. He grinned when he saw who the new visitor was. “Now how did I know it was you?”
Maddie looked startled. “Haven’t you left yet?”
Zach turned back to the occupants of the parlor. “Mom, Dad, allow me to introduce you. This is Gamma’s friend Maisie.”
“Maddie,” the visitor growled through gritted teeth. “You know my name is Maddie.”
Zach’s parents looked bemused. “Very nice to meet you,” they both said in unison.
“I’m glad Granny Faye has somebody in the neighborhood looking out for her,” Marta commented.
“Oh, it’s better than that,” Zach offered impishly. “They’re both on the neighborhood watch together.” He gave Maddie a sly glance, daring her to offer a plausible explanation.
“The neighborhood watch!” Marta gasped. “Why Granny, don’t you think you should leave that to the younger generation?”
Faye looked at Zach archly. “I’ve been thinking about that very subject quite a lot lately.”
Maddie looked from Zach to Faye, her face registering both confusion and alarm. “I… I… uh… didn’t mean to interrupt a family gathering. I can come back later.”
“No dear, it’s quite alright. Come in.” Faye gestured for her to enter.
“We were just leaving,” Bill volunteered. He stood up decisively as did his wife. The couple frog marched their son to the door with Faye toddling behind.
“Zachary has expressed an interest in coming to visit me on a regular basis,” the old woman said.
Bill paused to regard his son. “Has he? Good. He needs to be around someone who won’t stand for his moon bat ideas. A grown-up who’s practical and down to earth.”
Faye and Zachary exchanged a meaningful glance.
“I think Gamma’s just the guy for the job,” Zach declared, giving her a hug. “Til next time.”
Faye tousled the spikes in his hair. “Come back to visit me after your next birthday. Then we’ll have a nice long chat.”
“You can count on it.” The boy grinned.
His mother gave him a searching look, apparently trying
