Toys

Chapter 38

I fought back wild surprise-and then a wave of rage-and managed a frosty smile worthy of my former rank and station at the Agency. Am I walking into an ambush? Are my parents here-are they even alive? I wondered, in that order.

“Well, well,” I said. “Last time we met, you tried to kill me.”

“If I’d tried,” she said, putting down a hammer and removing leather work gloves, “you’d be dead.”

Was the woman deliberately trying to provoke me? Clearly she and whomever she was working for were a step ahead of me. Maybe several steps. How was that even possible?

“Where are my parents?” I asked as I judged the height of the roof and got ready to leap up there, fight her, and kill her.

“They’ll be out in a minute to say hello to their favorite son. Calm down, Hays. No need for you to come up here and try out your fancy commando moves on me.”

This time her condescending tone-as if she were soothing an upset child-was a little too much for my nerves.

“Don’t tell me to calm down. You’re a common killer-a criminal and a skunk.”

“I guess by your standards I am. But by most other standards, you’re the criminal. How many humans have you killed in your life, Hays Baker?” she shot back. “Or have you lost count? And what does that say about you?”

Just then the front door of the house swung open, and out came my mother. She hurried toward me with a welcoming smile and open arms.

“Hays, darling, it’s so wonderful to see you! I’m so happy you’re here.”

Mom was thinner and noticeably older than the last time I’d been here, but her eyes were more luminous than ever. She looked healthy and spry enough.

“I see you’ve met Lucy,” she said, gesturing up at the roof. But then her eyes were back on me, her favorite son. Of course, I was her only child.

“What a sight you are,” she said, looking me up and down, then clasping me again in her warm embrace. Ah, the feel of her, the scent of her skin, the sound of her voice… I really was home, wasn’t I?

She finally stepped back, taking hold of my hands and looking me over again. “But for heaven’s sake-what happened to your beautiful hair?”

I ran my hand over my bald head. “It’s the new look in the city,” I said. Then I asked, “Who is she, and why is she here?”

My mother looked deep into my eyes, and then she said, “She’s here because she’s your sister.”