Seth reached his hand toward Brett’s face and the kid backed away instinctively. “What happened here, son?” Seth asked. “You walk into a wall?”

“I wrestle,” he said. “I don’t know exactly what happened, but I think it was a foot.”

“You don’t wear helmets? I thought the team wore helmets. I love wrestling. Look forward to taking in a few matches this winter.”

“Look, seriously, I don’t have any idea what’s up with Rachel. I don’t know why she’d make me look bad like that. It makes no sense. I’m real good to her. I’m—”

“Well, sometimes you’re pretty demanding,” Seth said, cutting him off. “I had a look at just a few of your texts to her from... Gee, was it yesterday?” Seth asked, rubbing the back of his neck. “Her dad confiscated her phone and showed me. You were telling her to get to the parking lot by three-fifteen and when she said she couldn’t, you threatened her, told her she was pushing you, warned her you might get mad. It was very demanding, very angry and insistent. That didn’t seem like her making you look bad. That seems like—”

“She had notes for me! I needed them! It was from a class I missed and she said she’d get ’em to me by three-fifteen! It’s all out of context, it’s—”

“She had to get those notes to the parking lot?” Seth asked. “I’m sorry, I’m a little confused. Why couldn’t you meet at her locker to get those notes? I mean, there were a lot of texts back and forth about you insisting she get to the parking lot and I just wonder why that was so important.”

“Exactly what’s the question, Deputy?” Sid asked.

“There’s no question, Mr. Davis,” Seth said. “It sounded threatening to me and I’m very concerned about the possible violent nature of the relationship between Brett and Rachel. I want them safe, after all. So I thought I’d come by, put in my two cents and see where we stand.” He looked at Brett. “I take it you and Rachel have decided to cool things? As Rachel’s parents requested?”

“Rachel’s parents have no need to request anything of us,” Sid said. “Brett, of his own accord, broke it off with her immediately. Obviously she’s a little off balance. We don’t need this kind of aggravation. Brett certainly doesn’t. He’s a gentleman, athlete, straight-A student and life is too short to put up with this kind of defamation.”

Seth smiled. “Good decision. Sorry that romance didn’t work out, but really, staying away from the girl right now is an excellent decision.” He sniffed the air. “My God, that smells good! What’s cooking tonight, Mr. Davis?”

Sid smirked. “I believe that’s chicken and rice. Nothing special.”

“But you got the table all set there. You having company tonight?”

“I have four children, Deputy. Anything else?”

“Nothing from me. I think everyone is on the same page right now. The kids are better off putting a little distance between themselves. Doesn’t that sound like a good solution, Brett?”

“She’s crazy. I don’t know why she’d do that to me. She’s just screwed up, that’s all.”

“Sure,” Seth said. “Then give her a lot of space. Right?”

“No kidding,” Brett said sullenly.

“Good night, then. Enjoy your dinner,” Seth said.

He stepped outside and took three long steps down the walk, then three long steps back to the front door where he stood, quietly listening.

“Didn’t I tell you to keep your mouth shut? When I say keep your mouth shut, that’s what I mean. You sound like a fool, a pu**y! Some little girl picking on you?”

“He asked! I just answered!”

“I said keep your stupid mouth shut!”

“Ow. I told you, I didn’t do nothing! She’s out to get me! Ow.”

Seth opened the door. Sid was gripping his son by the arm, his face pressed close to Brett’s. “Problem, gentlemen?” he asked.

Sid didn’t let go. He glared at Seth. “What do you want now?” Sid asked.

“I want to know if everything is all right,” Seth said.

“You have no right to walk into my house!”

“Oh, you’re completely wrong, Mr. Davis. I heard shouting and noises that indicated imminent danger which, in fact, it appears there is. Now, it’s really my responsibility to read you your rights, cuff you and take you to my office to process you for battery. You appear to be battering your son. But seeing as how I heard it happening and didn’t witness it happen, I only have my suspicions. Which, by the way, appear to be on target. So, I’m going to leave you with a warning. Lay one hand on any member of your family and it will be my pleasure to take you for a little ride. Brett, you ever get knocked around or see the rest of the family being abused, you have only to make a call. Understand?”

“This is none of your business. Get out,” Sid said.

“I can’t wait to leave, as a matter of fact.”

“Don’t even think of making a big deal out of this,” Sid warned.

“Sorry, pal. Making a big deal of it is at the top of my list. I’d recommend you calm down and get under control before you make things worse.” He stepped out and started to pull the door closed. “Oh, by the way. You’re not a lawyer. You might’ve corrected me.”

“It’s none of your goddamn business!”

Seth traded glare for glare with Sid. “Yes, it is,” he said.

* * *

Seth let himself into the kitchen of Iris’s house, holding his hat in his hand, and just took in the scene. There was a nice smell of food cooking and Iris was sitting at the small kitchen table with her laptop open, making notes on a legal pad.

He’d never had this before. There had never been a woman to come home to, a warm, good-smelling kitchen welcoming him, this promise of contentment to ease him.

She looked up. “Hi.”

He tossed his hat on the table and went around to her side. He pulled a chair close to her and sat down. She turned in her chair so her knees were inside his. He leaned toward her for a kiss and she put her arms around his neck and met his lips.

And he felt brand-new.

“Something smells good,” he said.