Chapter 23

Zack

"Unfriggin' believable."

Nick leaned forward. "What?"

"Look who just walked in."

"Okay, Mr. Oatam. It looks like you have a new study hall." Mr. McKenzie handed Ben back his slip of paper. "Find a seat anywhere."

Ben turned and caught my eye. He sneered.

I jumped to my feet, scraping my chair across the floor loudly in the process. Nick's hands were on my shoulders.

"Not here. Not now. Remember what Zoe said about that computer program."

I jerked out of his hands but held my ground.

Mr. McKenzie was looking from Ben to me. Ben had thrown his books on the first desk and taken a step toward me. His fists were clenched at his sides. "Is there a problem, gentlemen?" He actually looked excited about the prospect.

"Nope. We're all cool here, Mr. McK." Nick spoke under his breath. "Zack, sit down."

"Mr. Oatam?"

Ben continued to stare at me, working his jaw. Finally, he turned slightly to the front of the room. "Nah. It's all kosher with me."

I wanted to wipe the smirk from his big, fat, stupid face with my fists.

"Zack." Nick tentatively sat back in his seat, probably hoping to set a good example.

F'ing animal dragged her across a friggin' parking lot like she was trash he was taking to the curb.

I kept imagining her face, hearing her scream when I went over that night and she was huddling on her couch, scared out of her mind. Her lips, her chest, her head....

"I have a plan," Nick hissed.

I turned to him slightly.

He nodded at my desk. "Sit, and I'll tell it to you."

I slowly sat, being sure to scrape my chair even louder as I did so. Nick leaned forward. He glanced over his shoulder. Ben took a seat in the last row, far away from anyone else.

"Why do you think he's sitting back there?"

I shrugged, still scowling.

"Ten to one he's got... some girl's picture on his screen right now."

Could he be looking at Zoe while I'm sitting in the same room?

"Zack, don't. Look at me, boy. Right here in the eyes." I tore my gaze from Ben. Nick was starting to get on my nerves. "Remember last year when Mr. Snyder caught you doing your March Madness brackets in study hall?"

I stared at him. "What the actual hell does that have to do with anything?"

He held a hand up. "Easy."

I continued to stare at him.

"So... Mr. Snyder pulled your computer screen up. Mr. McKenzie—" I got it.

"Can do the same thing. That's brilliant, Nickie."

"I live to serve."

I stood and walked to the front of the room.

Mr. McKenzie noticed me coming. He was young, a third-year teacher with dark hair, a dark, curly beard, and more often than not, he was wearing a sweater vest. "What's going on, Zack?"

I put my hands on his desk, rolling my knuckles under as I leaned forward. "Is he looking at us?"

Mr. McK's gaze flitted behind me and back. "Yeah. But so what? He can't hear you."

"What I'm telling you is highly confidential."

"Okay...."

"Ben takes inappropriate pictures of girls, and he has some of someone I care for."

The teacher's mouth hung open for a second. He leaned closer. "What can I do to help?"

I relaxed some. "Can you pull up his computer screen?"

His eyes glowed. "Yeah. I can do that."

He started typing.

"Only... don't look at the pictures too closely."

His shook his head, already absorbed in what he was doing. "Oh, no. Of course not."

"Can you screen shot it, though? So we have proof."

He turned the monitor toward me. "It won't help."

It was Ben's friggin' math homework. I hung my head. The bell rang.

"Don't turn around, Zack."

I didn't, but I still knew when the punk went out the door.

Nick came up. "Did it work?"

He looked at the screen. "Sorry, boys. Chances are he's not taking any risks by using school equipment, Zack. But I'll keep my eye open for you."

"Thanks." I grabbed my books from Nick and rushed out the door with him on my heels. I looked left. I looked right. No Ben Oatam.

I should have creamed him while I had the chance.

Kyle

HEY, UNCLE KYLE. I'M ON MY WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL. ANY WAY ZACK AND I CAN TALK TO YOU IN PRIVATE?

I stared at the phone, raising my eyebrows, then typed.

IF YOU CAN DO IT NOW, THAT'D WORK. MYLES IS CRASHED OUT IN HIS CRIB, SCOTTIE'S BEEN ON HIS COMPUTER ALL DAY, AND I MEAN ALL DAY. AND EVERYBODY ELSE LEFT TO CATCH SOME NEW DISNEY MOVIE WITH TABITHA. I'M WATCHING MY DESSERT AND MYLES. NOT IN THAT ORDER.

Hmm... so the lovebirds want to talk to ol' Uncle Kyle. Oh, shit! What if they want to ask me about contraception? I am totally not ready for that!

Luckily, I talked myself off the ledge by the time the kids got home. Since Myles was in his bassinet in the living room, we sat at the kitchen table. I didn't pull my chair in all the way. I guess I wanted to be ready for a quick escape. I leaned back, interlaced my fingers, and rested them on the top of my head, eying them warily.

"So, I hear you two are an item."

They smiled and exchanged a look.

"I guess you can say that," Zack answered.

I nodded. "Good." I brought my hand to the table, placing my palm on the edge and drumming my fingers, looking from one to the other. "Look. This isn't about running off and eloping, is it? Because if it is, I'll have to be the no-fun uncle and advise against that."

They laughed. "No, Uncle Kyle, it's not about that." Zoe took a deep breath.

My stomach sank. "Oh, God. It's the contraceptive thing, isn't it?"

"No!" they both said at the same time.

"Thank. God." If it's not that, what could it be? "So, what's up?"

"So..." Zoe's forearms were flat on the table and she was staring somewhere midway between them. "...do you remember a conversation we had not long ago, when we were drying dishes?"

My fingers froze. Now she had my attention. I worked my jaw. "Yeah. The one where you didn't tell me how you got all those cuts and bruises?"

She looked at Zack, then back at me. "Yeah. That's the one." She took another deep breath, and Zack squeezed her hand. I was really getting nervous. "Well, I went out on a date. With this guy. And he... he..." She moved her hands in a circle as if inviting me to fill in the rest.

I looked at Zack, then at Zoe. "I'm sorry. I don't understand what you mean."

"He forced himself on her," Zack explained, his face hard.

My entire jaw went so ridged I thought it would snap. I leaned forward, putting my arms on the table in a mirrored position to Zoe. "That would explain why he should be wearing cuts and bruises, but what exactly happened to you?"

Zoe avoided eye contact. "He was very... forceful."

I looked at Zack.

"From what I gather, when she said she wanted to go home, he slammed her head into the car window..." Now he took a breath, and his face became tight. He tilted his head at an angle, tapped a finger on the table, and looked me straight in the eye. "...touched her, and when she tried to escape, he grabbed her ankles, sending her face into the asphalt, then dragged her across it and laughed."

My mouth hung open. I couldn't believe what he was telling me. "The cuts on her chest."

He nodded.

"That son-of-a-bitch!" I looked back at her, and she was crying. I sprang to my feet and came over to wrap my arms around her. "Oh, baby." My voice cracked. "I'm so sorry this happened to you." She put her arms around my waist and wept quietly. I regained my composure and raised my gaze to Zack's. "Do you know where he lives?"

The kid was halfway out of his chair. "Yes."

Zoe's head came up. "Zack!" He sat, chagrined.

She looked at me, her face fierce. "We can't do that."

"Why the hell not?"

Zack seemed like he was about to push out of his chair again.

"Because—Zachariah Avery Issaacs. Sit your ass down." She spun to face him. "You told me you wouldn't do this."

"Okay. Sorry." He flicked his gaze to me for a second, then looked away.

Zoe turned to me. "Uncle Kyle. Would you please sit?"

I was pissed, and I was taking it out on somebody. "I think I'll stand."

"Please, Uncle Kyle." The tears in her eyes stung me. "I have more I need to tell you and, I'd rather you be sitting."

I took the chair across from Zack, deliberately turned it, and straddled it to face Zoe, my hands laying on the top. I nodded.

"He has pictures."

My arms fell. "Ahh, you're f'ing kidding me."

"I wish I were." She held up a hand. "And before you say anything asinine. I did not give him the pictures."

"He hacked into her computer's webcam."

I clicked my tongue, exasperated. "Well, this guy's a real piece of work, ain't he?"

I rose from my chair, then looked to Zoe. "Can I pace now?"

"You may."

I walked around the kitchen. They watched me and exchanged glances.

Zack spoke up. "Scott's upstairs, as we speak, trying to hack him and erase the photos."

"And we're working against one other thing."

I shifted my gaze to her.

"He wrote a program that will automatically send the pictures to everyone I know and put them on the Internet, unless he enters an override code every couple of hours."

I slowly returned to my original seat and tried to absorb it all. "And your dad doesn't know?" I didn't look up.

"No."

I put my hand on my forehead. "Man." I tried to think through all of the various plays, but couldn't really focus because I kept coming back to ways I would like to kill the S.O.B. I exhaled. "Well, it sounds like you are doing all you can to protect yourself." I spread my arms out wide on the table, looking Zoe in the eye. "You have to tell your father, Zo." She looked like she was about to argue. "You have to. He deserves to know."

"You're right."

Good. She's being reasonable.

"But I need you to do something for me."

I took her hands. "Anything, sugar. You know that."

She didn't break eye contact. "You have to keep my dad from murdering Ben."

I jumped up. "So that's the jerk-off's name." I looked at Zack. "What's his last name?"

"Oatam," he said quickly, his eyes flashing.

Zoe laid her head on the table. "Uncle Kyle!"

I looked from Zack to her, and back. "I don't understand why this isn't an option."

"Because right now that jerk-off, as you so aptly called him..." She rose from her chair, circled it, and gripped the top, "holds all the cards. If he doesn't enter that override code at any point, for any reason, all those pictures of me go public."

"This is crap."

"I know," she said tiredly.

"How close is Scott to nailing the bastard?"

"I'm not sure."

"Let's go find out."

We all headed out, Zoe in the lead.

Myles woke up and started crying and she changed direction. "We'll get him first."

But when we got halfway across the living room, explosions ripped through the house. Before I could even think, Zack had Zoe down and was shielding her with his body. I hit the deck, too, as all of the windows across the front of the house were shattered. Whoever it was had to have a semi-automatic weapon. Glass flew everywhere. Bullets pinged off stuff, ricocheting off things like a mess of bumper cars. Myles cried.

"Oh, my God! The baby." Zoe somehow scrambled out from under Zack and ran across the room.

I hopped up and rushed toward her. "Zoe, get down! You're an open target."

She snatched the baby out of the bassinet, keeping her body between Myles and the window. All I could think was, I'm going to watch this precious angel die right in front of me. I got to her, shielded them both, and we moved behind the couch. Zoe peeked around at Zack. I peered around the other side of the couch. Zack, being a sane person, was slithering across the floor on his belly toward us. When he reached us, all went quiet. We all panted, and listened. Scott's voice drifted down from above.

"Da-a-a-amn!"

I looked up. The kid was on his stomach, clutching the posts supporting the banister and surveying the damage with round eyes.

"Kids!" Tucker rushed in the front door, looking like a madman.

"Daddy!" Zoe jumped to her feet and ran to him, reaching him at the same time Scott did.

Tucker enveloped them all.

Dani and Sam rushed through the swinging door to the kitchen.

"Didn't I tell you to stay in the car?" Tucker said hoarsely.

"Yes," Sam answered for them both. "We don't listen very well." She bent over me as I remained in my position behind the end of the couch, as compared to curled in the fetal position, which is where I would have rather been. "You okay, baby?"

"I've had better days." I kissed her. "I'm fine."

"LQO656," Tucker blurted out.

Sam stared at him. "Oh, my God. He's lost it."

I whipped out my phone. "Say it again. I'll put it in my phone."

"Already got it, Uncle Kyle."

I looked around the corner. Scott held up his phone. I raised my eyebrows, genuinely impressed with his speed. "Good job, Squirt."

I got to my feet and shuffled through the broken glass to the family. Zack followed. "Everybody's okay?"

They all murmured a confirmation.

I looked at Tucker. "You think they're coming back?"

He took a breath and turned his head to look out of what used to be his windows. "God, I hope not. Let's all move to the back of the house. The windows are higher back there."

I nodded.

Tucker pulled out his phone and called the police as everyone started moving toward the kitchen.

I looked at Scooter's bare feet. Turning around and crouching, I offered him my back. "Come on, little man."

The oven timer went off. "Oh, shoot. My cake. Hold on."

I rushed into the kitchen, set Scott down, and searched for hot pads.

While we all waited for Tucker to finish his call, I eased the blanket back to check out Baby Myles. His eyes were wide, but that kid was not making a sound. I looked at Zoe. Part of me wanted to throttle her for taking such a risk. The other part was extremely proud of her. I went with that. "Nice job, Zoe."

"I'll go check on Tabby," Sam offered. She looked at Zack. "She's over at your place. Your mom heard all the noise, I guess, and came outside." Her gaze shifted to Dani. "We kind of threw Tabby in her arms without much of an explanation."

When Sam turned around, I was blocking her path. I put my hands on her arms. "You're not going anywhere. I'll get Tabby." She opened her mouth to say something and I gave her a quick kiss. "I'll be right back."

I was gone before she could formulate a response.

Mrs. Issaacs must have seen me coming because she met me halfway with Tabby in her arms. She handed Tabby to me quickly. "Zack?"

"He's fine."

She exhaled. "Oh, thank God."

The poor woman was shaking. I put an arm around her shoulder. "Come see for yourself." I turned to Tabby. "And how are you, Miss Tabby?"

"The movie was really good. It had a happily-ever-after."

She was obviously clueless about the shooting. I squeezed her to me, thankful that she had a chance for a happily-ever-after to look forward to after all that had happened. "I'm glad you liked it, honey."

Mrs. Issaacs leaned in. "What was that all about?"

I kept my voice low, too. "That, my dear, is the million-dollar question."

When I opened the door, Mrs. Issaacs rushed in to hug Zack without saying a word to anyone, but everyone understood.

Tabby pressed her little hands to my cheeks and turned me to face her. "Is it cake time yet?"

Everyone laughed, except Mrs. Issaacs who was still checking Zack for holes, as he kept insisting he was fine.

"Not yet, sweetheart. But soon." I put her down and she ran to Dani, who had passed the baby to Zoe. Dani squatted and held her hands out, scooping Tabby up on impact and swinging her around to peels of giggles. She cradled her and buried her face in Tabby's neck, promoting a new round of laughter. Then she hugged her to her chest, closing her eyes. Sam slid her arm around my waist and I planted another kiss on her. When we looked over, a damp-eyed Dani was mouthing a thank you.

Tucker came through the swinging door. He was about to make some pronouncement, but closed his mouth when he saw Tabby.

Sam stepped forward. "I'll take the Cake Princess here up to your bedroom to watch a movie."

Tucker nodded. "Awesome. Thank you."

When Sam turned to go upstairs, Tabby strained toward the living room. "We have to get the movie."

"I'll get some DVDs and bring them to you," Scottie offered.

Zack stepped away from his mom. "No way. You don't have shoes on. I'll get it." He slipped into the living room before anyone could protest.

An awkward silence settled over everyone. Mrs. Issaacs leaned over to look at the baby in Zoe's arms. "Is this your new brother?"

"Yes. His name is Myles."

"After Myles Kennedy," Sam blurted out.

"After my grandfather," Tucker said at the same time.

Mrs. Issaacs looked from one to the other. "Oh. Well, I like it." She peeked at the baby again and shook one of his booted feet. She looked at Dani. "He's precious." They engaged in some sort of silent conversation that only moms could understand.

"Why couldn't Scottie walk in the living room?" Tabby piped up. We all looked at each other, but Tucker handled it like a pro.

"Because there's a huge mess in the living room we need to clean up."

"Did someone break a glass, Daddy?"

Dani and I exchanged a look. That little girl was too smart for her own good.

"You could say that," Tucker responded slowly.

"Zoe," Tabby said. "You have something in your hair."

A shard of glass twinkled in the kitchen lights. Everyone froze.

"Oh. I'll get that," Scott said casually, and went to pick it out of his sister's hair.

Zack returned with a handful of DVDs, being careful to slide in and not open the door wide. "Look what I have. Princess Parade."

Tabby lit up.

"Is that still your favorite?"

"No, it's—"

Zack whipped another one from the stack. "Princess Parade Two ~ Tiara Tantrums?"

She grabbed it. "Thank you, Zackie."

"No problem, Tabby."

Sam disappeared into the back stairwell.

To everyone's surprise, Dani stepped over and threw her arms around Zack's mom. "I'm so sorry." She started crying.

Mrs. Issaacs stood there awkwardly at first, then she folded her arms around Dani. "Well, you can't help it if some crackpot shot out your windows." She looked up at Zack. "And he's fine."

Dani stepped back, wiping tears from her face.

"You should know that Zack handled himself well," I interjected, looking at his mom. "His first thought was to protect Zoe."

Tucker's eyebrows raised and he turned to look at Zack, but the boy was looking at Zoe. Without saying a word, she handed Myles to Dani. Zoe and Zack stepped into each other's arms and exchanged a kiss that I think they were later embarrassed about sharing in front of their parents. They broke apart and moved back to the sidelines by the sink, but remained holding hands.

Mrs. Issaacs cleared her throat and reached over to squeeze Zack's other hand. "He is a good boy."

Dani smiled at them. "We think so, too. And are so thankful that no one was hurt."

"Have the police been made aware of the situation?" Mrs. Issaacs asked.

Tucker nodded. "I just got off the phone with them, and they are sending over a couple of squad cars. So, before they get here, I'd like for us to have a quick family meeting."

I started to move toward the stairs.

"Where do you think you're going? I said family."

I turned and looked at him. No one could have been more of a brother than he was to me. I smiled and stayed put.

"And you are welcome to stay, too, Zack. And Christine, you deserve an explanation."

Tucker sighed. "Okay. I need to apologize to you all. I thought I was protecting you by not telling you this..."

I looked at Zoe, and she rubbed the back of her neck.

"...but that was stupid of me. I think I know who took shots at us tonight."

Zack and Zoe exchanged alarmed looks.

"There's a man named Thomas James. I was involved in a case that took custody of his children away from him and gave it to the kids' grandmother. James promised to make me pay, and he recently got released from jail. I thought I could handle this on my own, but you all would have been safer had you known."

Dani took his hand. "It wouldn't have prepared us for what happened tonight. It's not your fault."

"Dani's right," Zoe seconded, and Scott nodded, as well.

"And, I have a confession of my own," Dani added. "I was wondering if the shooter might be Bill Neaman."

Sam picked that minute to return from upstairs.

"I'm sorry, Sam. I called him and chewed him out over what he did at the wedding. I told him to leave you alone."

"I, for one, applaud your efforts," I said, wrapping my arm around Sam.

Dani looked at her. "Do you think he'd ever do something like this?" Myles began fussing and Dani bounced him and made shushing noises.

She shook her head, holding her hands out, palms up. "Who knows. The man is certifiable."

I nodded agreement.

Zoe spoke up, looking at me. "I was thinking it might be someone I upset at school."

Tucker snorted. "Nice to know we have so many enemies. Perhaps we all need to take a course on how to get along well with others."

"I think some of us are a lost cause." Zoe raised her hand sheepishly. I loved how this family, my family, could joke even in a crisis situation.

Sam raised her hand. "Me, too."

I gazed at everyone gathered, one at a time. "So, let me get this straight. I—the guy who is 'prone to violence'—am the only one who did not have any party mad at me enough to incite today's violence."

"And me," Scooter interjected. We knuckled each other.

Tucker exhaled, scratching the back of his head. "Well... as far as the rest of the night is concerned, I'd like for you kids to try to stay upstairs. Zack you're welcome to stay. And Zoe, someone needs to make sure you don't have any more glass in your hair."

Sam stepped forward with a mock salute. "I got that."

Dani had the baby quieted. "I'll put Myles in his crib and start cleaning the mess."

"I can help, Daddy."

"Only after your Aunt Samantha clears you for action, okay?"

Scott glanced at Zoe. "I'd like to help, Dad, but I'm buried in homework tonight."

Zack and Zoe watched Tucker expectantly.

"That's fine, Scott. I'm sure we can handle it."

I rose. "I'll get dinner back on track."

People stood and moved in the direction of their chore. When Zoe passed me I whispered, "You need to tell him."

She looked over her shoulder at Tucker. "I'll tell him tomorrow. I think he's had enough tonight."

I nodded. "Good plan."