Page 57 of Worth the Fall
“Sometimes, when you’re a secret spy, you have to leave coded messages for other secret spies so they know what’s going on.”
“You do?”
“Yep.” I nod, knowing I need to wrap this up but also needing to get this point across. “Sometimes the littlest of signs tells other spies that things are okay or they’re not okay.”
“Really?”
“Definitely.”
“So what does that have to do with me?”
“I need you to be a super spy for me. It’s my job as a police officer to know that you and your mom are okay at all times.” I can see her little wheels turning, and I speak before she can question it too much. “So, I’m thinking that we use your rocks as our secret code.”
Her eyes and smile both widen, pride in her work replacing any skepticism she had seconds ago. “My rocks?”
“Yes, but you can’t tell anyone else or else the secret spy code will be broken, and then we’ll no longer be spies.”
“I can keep a secret.”
I eye her as if I’m doubting her, but then when I smile, she knows I trust her. “Good. I think we should come up with a certain picture or word, and if you paint that on a rock, then I know you’re afraid and need help for you or your mom.”
Skepticism is back, but it isn’t as deep when she asks, “What word or picture?” Her voice is barely audible.
“You can pick it.”
“Hmm.” She twists her lips and thinks so hard it’s adorable. “Watermelon.”
“Watermelon?” I laugh, not expecting that answer in a million years.
“Yeah, watermelon. I’m not that good at painting, though. I know you’re just saying it because I’m a kid and you’re an adult so you have to say it so you don’t hurt my feelings . . . but I promise I can really paint a good watermelon.”
“I believe you.” I love the little glimpses of her personality that are starting to shine through her fear. “Will it be green and—”
“No. It will be red with black seeds; although, mommy only buys the kind without seeds and those are no fun because there are no seeds to see how far you can spit.”
“Got it. A red rock with black seeds.” I glance at the painted rocks already there and know I’d be able to spot it in a second. “Good choice. Now, we need to decide on a place to put our secret signal. Where do you think?”
She bites her bottom lip and looks around. “How about right there at the corner of the sidewalk?”
“I think that’s an excellent choice. See? You’re already proving what a great secret spy you’re going to be.”
“How often are you going to check for the code?”
“As often as I need to,” I say, not wanting to overcommit but needing her to understand she’s safe.
“What are you two talking about?” Amelia asks as she comes up behind Keely and puts her arm around her daughter’s shoulders.
“Secret spies and watermelon,” Keely says.
“Is that a show on Nickelodeon?” Amelia asks.
“Yep.” Keely looks back at me one last time with a soft smile before her mom ushers her to the house and shuts the door without another word.
“Did you get anywhere?” I ask Nate as we climb in the cruiser.
“You mean did she admit that the bastard hits her so she wears long sleeves in summer to hide the bruises? No. No matter how many times I told her that we’d protect her, that all she has to do is press charges to protect Keely, she kept denying anything was wrong.”
“Son of a bitch.”
“’Bout sums it up.”
I pound my fist on the steering wheel. “I’m sure we’ll be back again.”
“We can’t help her unless she wants the help.”
“And in the meantime, the girl is in the crosshairs. That seems fair,” I say, frustrated disgust edging my tone.
“Yep.” He blows out a sigh. “At least we have donuts.”
“No, you have donuts,” I say, hating their smell currently filling my car.
