Chapter 42

When he answered the call up at the high school on Wednesday, somehow, Ethan was unsurprised to find Johnny Forbes slouched in a chair in the principal's office. The boy lifted baleful eyes as Ethan came in, then dropped his gaze to the floor again. He had the beginnings of a fresh shiner around one eye. Probably not from his stepfather if the principal was calling.

"Dr. Warner, what can I do for you?"

"Thank you for coming, Chief Greer." The fifty-something woman shook his hand, then circled around to sit behind the big oak desk. She straightened a stack of papers that didn't need straightening before folding her manicured hands. "We have, as you know, a zero tolerance policy for fighting. Johnny violated that policy by going after another student. First offense is suspension. This is his third for the year."

"Where's the other kid?"

The woman's head jerked back hard enough that her hair, which had been shellacked into a virtual helmet, shook. "I beg your pardon?"