Theodore (Xavier's Hatchlings #2) - Kathi S. Barton Page 0,23

funerals were over, to support Pem and MaryBeth. When Pem said she was going to take her grandma outside, Mom spoke to him again. Theo, I don’t have to tell you to keep an eye on them. Especially Pem. She’s going to take this harder later when it hits her that they’re both gone.

I promise you, I will. There will be a lot of lawsuits from this, I’m thinking.” Mom told him that he could count on it. “I’m assuming too that Aunt Carson has a recording of everything that went down today. She might well need to use them when this goes to trial. I have no idea why, but I have a feeling that somehow, Pem and I are going to be sued over this too.

I’d say that’s a good bet. I’m having Carson find you a good attorney. I’ll give you a name when she has one for the two of you.” She was quiet for a moment. Stanley has figured out that he’s gone. He’s actually threatening me for not sending him back. The boy has some big balls for one so young. I’ll give him that. Before I send them on, because I’m sure they’re going to cause trouble in the world of the dead, I’ll talk to Pem about seeing them. She more than likely won’t, but I want her to make that decision.

Mom told him they were landing now and would be at his house shortly, and he told her how much he loved her. After telling him that she loved him as well, the connection was closed. As he was going to find Pem and her Grandma to take them home, Amos asked him if he’d hang out for a bit.

“The Feds are coming here. Since I have so many officers dead, they’ve been notified.” Theo told him that was a good idea. “I just don’t understand this, Theo. Those boys just killed several officers and looked like they might well have killed more had we not taken action and fired back. It’s going to be hard on Officer Meadow too. He’s the one that killed the younger boy. He kept telling me while they checked his wounds that he has a son that age. I’ve sent him on to the hospital. He’d not even realized that he’d been shot too.”

“I’m thinking you should have every officer here write out what happened. Not only that, but I’d take any recordings you have of this and put them in a locked safe in the bank or someplace. Take a witness with you as you remove the recordings and take them to the bank. Chains of evidence will be your friend in all this.” Nodding, Amos asked him if there was more. “Yes. By all means, make sure that no one talks about this to the press, their spouses, or anyone. This gets out, and there will be hell to pay. You know that.”

The ambulances arrived to take the boys out of the station house. Austin was too quiet, and Theo suggested that Amos have someone without a gun, travel and stay with him. Amos agreed he’d do that. Theo said to make sure that they took pictures of the places where the bodies had been too, for no reason other than to make sure they recorded everything.

Theo was finally able to leave the station house. His brothers were going to be at his home when they arrived. Not just for support, but to be there to fend off reporters as well as calls. Theo just wanted to hold the two people he’d come to love very much and shut out the world.

He knew he’d not be able to do that. People would want answers. They’d want details. More than anything, they’d want to know what the fuck would make two kids kill and be killed like they were. While he had answers to those questions, he didn’t think they would go over well. Theo thought the blame lay squarely on the parents. Who the hell took young kids to a firing range to show them how to fire a gun? He supposed that would come out in the end as well.

Pem was making arrangements to feed everyone after Theo let his family know what was going on. Bubble told him he’d keep a very close eye on his mistress after Theo told him that his family was coming. He’d been with her the entire time, but he was still shocked to hear that