Heartless Child by Martha Pound Miller

Author:Martha Pound Miller [Miller, Martha Pound]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Windstorm Press
Published: 2024-05-16T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 46

Roman was in his drafting room, making a few small adjustments to the condominium project, which was still on hold. Even so, he couldn’t seem to leave the drawings alone. If he kept working on them, keeping the concepts alive in his mind, he’d be ready to roll as soon as he got the go ahead from Naheem.

IF he got the go ahead.

Later, Roman was hunched over his drafting table, pencil poised over the buff paper, a new idea about the parking situation in his mind. If he moved most of the parking spaces underground, he'd have more room to create a park-like setting above ground. That would satisfy the City of Portland’s parking regulations, add some interest to the grounds surrounding the⁠—

Pop-pop-pop!

It took a moment for the sound to penetrate Roman’s concentration. The images of the project that were swirling in his imagination began to fade.

He slid off the drafting stool in such haste that he stumbled, almost fell, caught himself, then headed for the door.

Then it came again.

Pop-pop-pop!

Followed by the sound of Matty’s gleeful laughter.

Roman hurried outside, trotted across the driveway and around the house. There, he caught sight of Layla standing on the patio overlooking the ocean, a red scarf on her head streaming in the wind.

He followed her gaze then and saw Matty aiming a small rifle at the fir tree Claire had planted soon after they moved in. And in spite of her jokes about killing it, the little tree had prospered and grown abundantly.

Matty lifted the gun again, aimed, and fired. Pop-pop-pop!

A mass of white feathers exploded amidst the branches of the fir tree, and while Matty laughed delightedly, a seagull fell out of the tree and hit the ground with an unpleasant plop.

Roman reached Matty just as the boy had the gun aimed at the tree again.

When he grabbed the gun, a sudden dark scowl covered Matty's face.

“Give that back to me!” Matty screamed. "It's mine!"

Roman froze. He had never heard his son speak in such a harsh tone.

“I said, give it to me!” Matty screamed again, glaring at Roman.

Roman was so surprised he couldn't respond for a moment.

Then, holding the gun over his head, he strode to the edge of the cliff, leaned out over the safety fence he’d erected, and heaved the rifle over the side. He watched it drop until it finally hit the rocks below with a faint snick!

Matty raced toward him, his face dark with rage. “Layla bought me that!” he screeched. “You had no right to throw it away!”

Roman grabbed Matty's arm, holding on to him while the boy struggled fiercely to get away.

He’s thin, Roman thought. But strong. Stronger than I realized.

When, and how did he get so strong?

“Calm down,” Roman said, holding the furious, struggling boy. “You have no business with a gun.”

“It’s just a BB gun, damn it!” Matty yelled. “And you had no right to throw it away.” He broke free from Roman’s grasp, twirled, and raced toward the house.

There, he flew into the arms of Layla who was just opening the door to step outside.

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