News Boy - Susan Hawke Page 0,19

Do you need help, or would you like to put it up there yourself today?"

"I can do it!" He was so focused on getting it perfectly settled, the tip of his tongue poked from the corner of his mouth as he carefully placed the sticker in the exact center of the square. Once it was done, Neil clapped and bounced up and down. "I did it, Mr. Brody! Five days in a row with stickers. I only have to make it through today without getting in trouble, and I get my prize."

Eyes narrowing, he studied me suspiciously. "I am still getting one, right?"

I couldn’t stop the laugh bursting from my throat. "Yes, champ. Make it through the day, and after dinner, you will get your prize."

"Do I get a hint?"

Was it okay to avoid any clues because I wasn't exactly sure what to give him yet? Yeah… I was gonna go with no. Although… I started to get excited myself when I figured out the perfect prize.

"Sure. Sometimes your prize might be a new toy or a special treat. Today it's going to be an activity. Something we can do together. But I'm not telling you anything else. Why don't you find your girls and go play? I need to make a couple phone calls."

Neil gave me a swift hug, flitting away like a hummingbird before I could hug him back. "I'll be in my playroom, Mr. Brody. Don't worry, I'll leave the door open so you can hear me if you come by."

"Sounds good, buddy. I'll be in to check on you after a while." I waited a few minutes, then went to take a peek. Since he was completely immersed in one of his new Lego kits, I felt safe enough to give Mack a call in the living room, where I wouldn't be overheard.

Mack answered on the second ring. "Sorry, man. I don't have any updates."

"Yeah, I figured. We knew it was a dead end when the police didn't find any fingerprints on his last note. And if Mad Dog hasn't checked in with his parole officer by now, I think we both know he doesn't plan on doing it at all. No, that's not why I'm calling."

I heard a slight slurp and his lips smacking together, a sure sign he'd poured himself a fresh cup of coffee. Since some joe sounded good, I decided to go grab one for myself.

"Sorry, you called when I was caffeinating myself. Hey, what's this email I got from Jim giving authorization for camera installation?"

"Wow. Drink some more coffee if you’ve already forgotten the missing underwear fiasco from last week." With a snort, I shoved my mug under the Keurig and got a pod in place. "When nobody could solve the mystery, it made me worry about someone getting into the house and taking them. The only thing is why the alarm didn't go off."

"Damn. The housekeeper didn't have them either, huh? We both know there are ways to bypass a security system. I don't know if it's more worrisome to think someone might know his code or if his system was breached. Hold on, let me dial in and check it out."

Right as the last drop dripped in, I grabbed the cup and took a moment to toss the pod and wipe down the machine the way Neil liked. "Don't bother. Not only did I have your man John in IT check it out the day after it happened, I already have an answer. Neil likes to bypass the system and crack his bedroom window at night. When I explained someone could've broken in if he hadn't closed it all the way, Neil decided the dry air from the air conditioning wasn't so bad after all."

"Speaking of the incident, were you able to get them replaced with the link I sent you?"

"Yep. If not, you would have known about it by now. Between your sleuthing and next-day shipping, Neil is now the happy owner of several pairs of his favorite underoos. It doesn't take much to keep him happy, though. I know I bitched at first, but he's not as big a brat as I thought. I have to say, things are running smoothly since I know how to keep the spoiled side at bay."

Mack chuckled. "I checked in with Jim on Wednesday. I take it the chore chart worked out, huh?"

"Like a dream. In fact, I'm calling about it. Remember the old Nintendo you won off me in poker?