The Paladin Prophecy

#16: ALWAYS LOOK PEOPLE IN THE EYE. GIVE THEM A HANDSHAKE THEY’LL REMEMBER.

They shook hands: Stephen Rourke’s were rough and strong, like a rancher’s. Will saw nothing remotely “academic” about the headmaster. He looked like he could pick his teeth with a bowie knife and seemed as confident as a four-star general.

Rourke smiled at him. “You’ve had an interesting journey,” he said.

“That I have, sir.”

Dan McBride headed for the door. “All the best now, Will. See you soon.”

“Thanks for your help, Mr. McBride.”

McBride gave Will a crisp two-finger salute as he left. Robbins invited Will to sit on a sofa near the fire. A tray of fresh-cut fruit and rolls sat on a nearby table. Rourke poured coffee and sat down across from him.

“Did you finish the paperwork I gave you?” asked Robbins.

Will fished the papers from his bag and handed them over. She paged through them, while Will tried not to watch. Rourke casually studied him.

“In many cultures, including our local Oglala Lakota,” said Rourke, “to wish anyone an ‘interesting journey’ is considered something of a curse.”

“I’d have to say my last twenty-four hours have been … interesting,” said Will.

Robbins looked up from the papers and gave Rourke a nod: Everything in order.

“What would you like to share with us about it, Will?” asked Rourke.

TELL NO ONE.

Will wanted to honor Dad’s warning, but he also felt he owed them an explanation. He was here and, for all he knew, still alive because of their timely help and interest in him. But the whole truth—Dave, doppelgänger parents, gremlins, and special sunglasses—wouldn’t buy him anything but a room at the Laughing Academy with no handle on his side of the door.

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