Serpent’s Tooth

“Telephone, Peter,” Rina said.

Decker whipped his head around, asked her a testy “Who is it!”

“Marge.”

Decker barked. “Is it an emergency?”

“I don’t know,” Rina answered quietly. “Would you like me to ask her?”

Decker made fists with his hands, released his fingers. “You stay here, young lady. I’m not through yet.”

Decker charged into the bedroom and slammed the door, which made Cindy startle.

As soon as he was gone, she leaped from her chair and started to pace.

“What a supreme jerk! No wonder Mom had an affair.” Then Cindy gasped, suddenly remembering that Rina was in the room. She felt herself go hot and cold at the same time. Sheepishly, she looked at her stepmother’s face. “Oh, my God! Did you … did he … did …”

“It’s all right, Cindy. I knew.”

Cindy covered her mouth. “Oh, my God! I can’t believe I said that! God, I’m such a moron!”

“You’re riled. Would you like some coffee? Maybe tea?”

“How about a half dozen Advils.”

“How about one?”

“He’s right, you know!” Cindy flopped into one of the buckskin chairs and dried her eyes. “I’ve got an incredibly big mouth. Things just … slip out!”

Rina said nothing.

Cindy looked at Rina. “So he told you?”

Rina nodded.

“He must feel real close to you.”

Rina stifled a smile. “Guess so.”

“It’s not as idiotic as it sounds. Dad never ever talked about it. And it didn’t come up in any of the divorce proceedings. Even during their worst arguments, Dad never brought it up or threw it in Mom’s face. There were times I actually wondered if he even knew. But then I figured how could he not know. Mom wasn’t exactly subtle … all those hang-ups every time I picked up the phone.”

Rina nodded.

“It wasn’t all Mom’s fault, you know. He was never home. Even when he was home, he wasn’t home. He was a decent father. Did the right things. Showed up at all the school events and conferences. But there was this distance. He was dreadfully unhappy. So was Mom. They had to get married, you know. Because of me.”

“They both love you very much.”

“I know that. They dragged it out as long as they could. Though I never asked them to do that. They’re so different. You know how they met?”

Rina nodded. “Your dad arrested your mother.”

“Some stupid antiwar rally. The pregnancy meant Mom had to drop out of college. At twenty, she was stuck at home with a whining baby and no help at all, while all her friends were out partying. I don’t know why she didn’t get an abortion.”

The room was quiet.

“Actually, I do know why. Dad wouldn’t have let her. Anyway, I know she was very resentful. To this day, she still talks about her lost youth.”

“Your mom and Alan have made a nice life for themselves. I think you’re feeling worse about it than either of your parents.”

“I suppose.” She sighed. “Dad seems happy now … happier.”

Rina smiled. “Yes, your father isn’t exactly a jolly fellow.”

Cindy smiled.

“You comported yourself very well,” Rina said.

“Yeah, felons should be a snap in comparison.” She paused. “You heard us then? We were screaming that loud?”

“It’s a small house.”

“God, I have a headache.”

“I’ll get you the Advil.”

“Thanks.”

Rina left, came back a few moments later. “Did you tell your mother yet?”

“No. Believe it or not, Dad’s the lesser of the two evils. Mom will not only go hysterical—just like Dad—but she’ll start blaming Dad. I hate it when she does that. Those two are incredible. They really hate each other.”

“I’m sure they don’t.”

“Oh, I’m sure they do.”

Rina said, “What made you decide to join the Academy?”

“Oh, my goodness, someone really wants to hear my side of the equation.”

Rina nodded encouragement.

Cindy cleared her throat. “I thought I wanted to study criminal behavior. I found that what I really wanted to do was solve crimes. Analyzing the deviant mind is useful, but it’s too academic. It doesn’t make neighborhoods safer places to live. It doesn’t give victims a sense of justice. It doesn’t do anything to enhance the quality of life. Criminal Sciences is about publishing papers, not about community service. And that’s what I want to do. Use the knowledge I’ve learned and apply it. To help people. Pretty corny. But as I speak, it is the truth.”

“I think that’s wonderful.”

“In theory, yes. Unfortunately, Dad has a point. I am impulsive, I am emotional, and I don’t take orders well.”

She leaned forward.