“If you stay a week, it’s cheaper.” He looked at his mother. “Did you tell her, Mom?”
“I told her, Rory.”
“Then why’s she only here one night?”
“I’m just passing through,” I informed him.
He planted his hands at his hips, mirroring Cade’s pose in miniature form. “You should stay for Halloween. It’s, like, the best holiday ever. The whole town is one big party. And Iknow from last year which houses hand out the king-size Snickers!”
“Sounds cool,” I told him. Mostly because, well, it did sound cool.
He nodded sagely. “It iswickedcool. But you’ll need a costume.”
“If I stay, can I be a Martian, too?”
He frowned as he examined me, perhaps evaluating whether or not I was rad enough to be a member of his alien horde. “I don’t know… Do you even like space?”
I tried very hard not to giggle at his solemn question. “Sure do.”
“What’s your favorite planet?”
“Pluto,” I said instantly.
“Pluto isn’t even a planet anymore,” he countered.
“It was when I was growing up.”
“Yeah, but you’re, like… old.”
Only someone under ten would classify twenty-five asold. “Thanks a lot, kid.”
“Rory, that’s enough.” Georgia pinned him with a look. “What have I told you about harassing the guests?”
“Um…” He thought hard. “Don’t do it?”
“Exactly.” Georgia grabbed him by the hand and yanked him away from Cade, who was standing there watching all of this unfold with an expression of barely-contained mirth. “Off to bed you go, bub. And if you come out again, I’ll let your brother pick the kind of candy we pass out this year.”
Rory’s face contorted in horror. “But Declan likesJunior Mints!”
He saidJunior Mintsas though they were lined with cow dung instead of chocolate. And then, in another blur of limbs, he was gone — racing into the parlor room and out of sight.
“Goodnight! Sleep tight!” Georgia called after him. She heaved a sigh as she looked at me. “Sorry about that. We live in the back rooms here on the first floor. Usually, the boys are pretty good about staying in their designated space, but…”
“It’s fine. He’s adorable.”
She looked relieved. “Thanks.”
“How old is he?”
“Seven. His big brother is eleven — and currently occupied by a new Nintendo game, otherwise he’d no doubt be out here raising hell as well.” She chewed her lip. “They’re good boys, I promise. Most of the time. If they bother you at all during your stay, just let me know and I’ll handle it.” Her eyes drifted over to Cade and, for the first time, I saw the deep sadness in them. “They’ve had a rough go of it since I split with their dad a few months ago.”
“Has Donny been coming around?” Cade sounded more serious than I’d ever heard him. “Or is he abiding by the protection order?”
“Donny is… Donny. You know he doesn’t have much respect for police. Or anyone else, for that matter.”
“Georgia—”
“It’s fine, Detective.” Her smile was weak. “I promise.”