Never Tell Them by N.L. Hinkens

Author:N.L. Hinkens [Hinkens, N.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781947890268
Publisher: Dunecadia Publishing
Published: 2021-05-10T16:00:00+00:00

17

“That’s the kid over there,” Ann said, pointing to Henry who was gawping at the police officers. “He says that man’s not his father.”

Ray’s jaw dropped, shock ricocheting through him. ”What are you talking about? Of course I’m his father!”

“That’s not what he told me,” Ann retorted, staring defiantly back at him. Her faltering tone had been replaced by an air of assertiveness—emboldened, no doubt, by the presence of the police officers.

One of the officers took up a perimeter position, resting a hand casually on her gun. A male officer stepped toward Ray, his aviator shades glinting in the sun. “Do you have any ID on you, sir?”

Ray fired a wounded look at Ann before reaching into his back pocket and pulling out his wallet. He could scarcely believe how duplicitous she’d been, pretending to connect over their kids’ preschool, even expressing an interest in his work—all the while waiting on law enforcement to show up and interrogate him. “I live a couple of blocks from here,” he said, handing his driver’s license to the officer. “That’s my old address. My son and I moved here a few weeks ago.”

The officer glanced at his driver’s license and then walked over and knelt next to Henry. “Hey buddy! Is this your dad?”

For a long moment, Henry stared back at the officer, his bottom lip protruding. Then, he darted over to Ray and ducked behind his legs.

Ray put an arm around him, resting his hand protectively on his shoulder. ”He lost his mother recently—my wife. And as if that wasn’t enough, I was just released from hospital yesterday. I wrecked my truck and sustained a head injury. As you can imagine, my son’s somewhat traumatized. Whatever he said, I can assure you it was only to get attention.” Ray tilted his head toward Ann, still seated on the bench. “He saw his friend’s mother interacting with her daughter and he wanted her to notice him too. He misses his mom dreadfully.”

The officer handed him back his license. ”I’m sorry for your loss, sir. I’m sure you can appreciate that we’re obligated to look into any calls about suspicious child-adult relationships. Can you verify any of what you’ve told me?”

Ray wet his lips, immediately regretting bringing up the subject of his dead wife. ”I can show you the police report of the accident. It’s at the house. My neighbor will be able to verify everything. She looked after Henry while I was in the hospital.”

The officer jotted down a few notes and then turned to Ann. ”Thank you for your vigilance, ma’am. It would appear that everything’s in order.”

Far from appeased, Ann narrowed her eyes. ”Henry’s been saying strange things to my daughter, Ivy, at preschool too.”

“What kinds of things?” the officer asked.

“He told her he was locked in his house without any food.”

Ray flattened his lips, barely able to curb his frustration as he glared at Ann. “Like I told you, he has an overly vivid imagination, and he’s been through a lot lately.

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