Taming Jesse James Read Free

a disturbing mental image of a dark-haired little boy with those blue eyes and the devil in his grin, but she quickly pushed it away.
    â€œCorey is a rough-and-tumble kind of kid, Ms. McKenzie,” the chief continued. “It’s only natural that he’ll suffer a few scrapes and bruises along the way.”
    â€œBut four serious accidents in two weeks? Doesn’t that stretch the bounds of credibility a little even for you, Chief Harte?”
    He checked his notebook. “Four? You only mentioned three.”
    â€œI was getting to that. Today, during our last recess of the day, he ripped his shirt on the playground fence. He refused to let me help him, but through the tear in his shirt I saw what looked like bruises on his shoulder.”
    â€œBruises?”
    â€œLike from a man’s hand squeezing viciously hard.” She didn’t add that she’d once had similar bruises. And that even though they had faded more than a year ago, she could sometimes still feel them.
    He blew out a breath, and for the first time she began to think maybe she wasn’t fighting a losing battle. He scribbled a few more notes in his book, then glanced at her again. “What makes you suspect the mayor is behind all of this?”
    â€œWhen Corey transferred into my class, I examined his school records so I could be familiar with his situation. Until midway through the second grade, Corey’s teachers all loved him and he had wonderful grades. The comments in his report cards were thingslike ‘always willing to help others.’ ‘A joy to have in class.’ ‘Creative and imaginative.”’
    â€œHe’s imaginative, all right. Last winter during a cold spell he poured water in the keyhole of every store on Main Street so the locks would freeze. Took us half a day to thaw everything out.”
    â€œHis behavior in class began to change dramatically, coinciding quite noticeably around the time I understand his mother married Mayor Garrett. Almost overnight, a bright, artistic child turned angry and destructive. I believe there’s a connection.”
    â€œA lot of kids have trouble adjusting to divorces and remarriages. Doesn’t mean they’re being abused.”
    She glared at him, feeling as if she’d lost all the headway she thought she’d gained. Why wasn’t he taking this seriously? She had been through this for more than an hour with Principal Hendricks and she had had just about enough of Salt River’s good-old-boy network. She had no doubt that’s why she seemed to be hitting a brick wall here. Nobody wanted to rock the boat, especially when powerful people were on board.
    â€œDo you care about this child’s welfare at all? Or is he just one more juvenile delinquent to you?”
    He blinked at her sudden attack. “Sure I care about him. But I just can’t jump into a major investigation based on speculation and conjecture.”
    Speculation and conjecture? She’d given him ample cause to investigate. Wasn’t he listening to her at all?
    Furious, she glared at him, completely forgetting that the man was supposed to intimidate her. “You mean you don’t want to alienate the mayor by pursuing an investigation against him. Isn’t that right?”
    She narrowed her gaze thoughtfully. “That’s it, isn’t it? I think I’m beginning to understand. Seth Garrett isan important man around here. Tell me, Chief Harte, are you more concerned about keeping your job or in protecting a little boy?”
    As soon as the words escaped her tongue, she knew they were a mistake. A monumental mistake. The police chief’s blue eyes hardened. His easy charm disappeared, leaving only raw anger.
    â€œBe careful, ma’am,” he murmured.
    She clasped her hands together tightly in her lap to hide their renewed trembling. Where had that outburst of hers come from?
    The old Sarah might have said something