Foreign Deceit Read Online Free PDF Page A

watch. “Hi Sarah. How are you?”  
    She looked down, and then she ducked her head back in, talking to someone behind the door.  
    “Hey, is that Jack?” Wolf craned his head.  
    She leaned back and turned sideways. “Uh, no. Jack! Your dad’s here!”  
    He heard the faint yell reply from somewhere in the interior.  
    “Who is that? Are you parents here?”  
    “No, they went to Aspen for the week.”
    “Okay.”  
    A man came up from behind Sarah, hand on the small of her back. She looked down and stepped out of the way. He was dressed in sweat pants and a tee-shirt.  
    “Heya, how you doing? My name is Mark.” He extended a hand over Sarah. He was taller than Wolf, and Wolf had his work boots on “Mark Wilson.”  
    “Hey.” Wolf shook his hand.  
    “Dad!” Jack burst out of the door.  
    The guy stepped aside and ducked back in the door, giving them a respectful distance to talk. Wolf watched as he persuaded Sarah to shut the door to leave them alone.  
    Wolf gave him a hug and ruffled his hair. “Hey bud. What’s happening?”  
    “Not much.” He stayed latched tight to Wolf. “Just watching toons and having breakfast.”
    “Cool. Hey I’ve gotta leave town for a little bit, so…”
    “Where? Where you going?”
    “Uh, I’m actually going to Italy.”
    “What? Are you serious? Are you going to see Uncle John?”
    “Yeah, I am buddy.”
    “Tell him he needs to call me. When is he coming back?”
    “Listen, buddy. We’ll…we’ll talk more when I get back. I think I’ll be gone a week. But listen, I want you to spend a lot of time at Brian’s when I’m gone, okay?”
    Jack raised an eyebrow. “Okay. I always spend a lot of time at Brian’s.”  
    Wolf laughed. “Yeah, I know. Just keep it up. Nater will take care of anything you need when I’m gone.”
    “And Mom is back too! So, I’ll be fine! Don’t worry Dad.”
    He looked at him again and gave him another hug. Shit.  
    “Listen, buddy. John’s not doing…”
    Jack looked at him with big excited eyes. He just didn’t have the heart to tell him what was going on. But he had no choice. It had to come from him. Right now. Otherwise he would know from some other person in town before the morning was through. It’s just how it worked in Rocky Points.  
    “John died this weekend buddy.”
    Jack’s face fell instantly, still looking wide eyed at his dad. “Sorry buddy. I have to go take care of him and bring him back home this week. That’s where I’m going. Okay?”Jack hugged him tight and started crying. Wolf hugged him back.  
    Jack began shaking softly in his arms.  
    “I know buddy.” It was all Wolf could think to say. “I know.” They hugged and cried for a full minute, Wolf letting the emotional flood gates go. He finally pushed Jack back and knelt down. “Alright man. Be good. Go back inside. Tell your Mom I need to speak to her again real quick, alright?” Jack wiped his eyes and stared at the ground. Wolf pulled his chin up. “Hey buddy, I love you. You know that, right?”
    He nodded.
    “All right man. I’ll see you soon okay? Don’t forget what I said about hanging out at Brian’s. Nater will be looking out this week.”  
    “All right. I will Dad. I get it.”
    He did get it. Wolf wished to God he didn’t need to.  
    Sarah opened the door again. She looked at Jack wiping his tears and shot a questioning look at Wolf, which turned quickly to an accusing one.  
    “Bye Dad.” Jack turned and walked inside.  
    Wolf stood up. “So, how are you doing, Sarah?” It was a weighted question and they both knew it.  
    “Fine, David. I’m doing just fine.” She said sincerely, crossing her arms and looking back toward Jack. “What was that all about?”  
    “I have to go out of town. I’ll be gone all week, all right?”
    She shrugged her shoulders and looked down.  
    Wolf saw a shadow in the door window. “Hey Mark, come here for a second?”  
    Sarah narrowed her eyes at