Gatekeepers Read Online Free PDF Page B

stepped in.
    â€œI told you,” the man said. “No calls. Not till the sheriff says so, and he just went home, so—”
    â€œCould you turn down the heat?” Mr. King said, tugging at his shirt collar. “I’m burning up.” And it was true. He wiped off his forehead and held up his glistening palm.
    But the deputy said, “Feels okay to me.”
    â€œYou want to feel my pits?” he said. “I’m sweating like a fat guy chasing a runaway M&M.” He eyed the guy’s protruding belly. “Sorry. I’m just telling you—”
    â€œI know, I know,” the deputy said. “You’re hot.” He grabbed the cell door and yanked. It rattled, but didn’t open. He went to the fire door, pushed the bar that opened it, and kicked the wedge in place. “Now you’re going to get cold,” he said.
    â€œI’ll yell when I do.”
    â€œDon’t bother.” The deputy went into the office and shut the door.
    A few seconds later, Xander’s face appeared in the open-ing. “All clear?” he whispered.
    Mr. King waved him in. “How did you know it was safe to knock?”
    Xander tiptoed up to the bars. “Movies,” he said, as though it were obvious. “The jail cells are always in the back, in a room of their own. That way the deputies don’t have to hear the prisoners grumbling or snoring or whatever.”
    â€œYou were lucky,” Mr. King said. “Where are David and Toria?”
    â€œAt the house.”
    â€œXander . . .”
    â€œI’ll get right back,” Xander said. “I told them to stay down-stairs, by the door.”
    Mr. King nodded. “Can you believe this?”
    â€œWhat are we going to do? Can they just arrest you like that?
    How long—?”
    â€œIt’s all garbage,” Mr. King said. “I overheard them talking. It’s all Taksidian. He got to the mayor. They can’t hold me long. First they said we were being evicted, then they said I assaulted one of them.”
    â€œBut you didn’t!”
    â€œShhh. I know that, and they know that. I think Taksidian just wanted us out for a while so he could plant some evidence in the house . . . or do something to the house that would force us to leave . . . or until he could bribe the right people into issuing a real eviction notice or charge me with child endangerment . . . What are you smiling about?”
    â€œChild endangerment,” Xander said. “I think that house fits the bill. And you did bring us there.”
    Mr. King dropped his head.
    â€œDad, I’m kidding.”
    Mr. King looked into his son’s eyes. He said, “No, you’re right. I’m sorry about . . . all of this.”
    Xander shrugged. “We’re in this together now. We can’t leave that house until we get Mom . . . and, Dad, I found her!”
    â€œYou what? Is she—?”
    It was Xander’s turn to lower his head. “Well, sort of. David and I went into this Civil War world . . . I know we weren’t supposed to, but, Dad, I drew Bob on one of the tents. When we checked again, Mom had left a message. She was there!” He frowned. “We couldn’t get to her, but we know where she is, and she knows we’re looking for her.”
    His wife’s face filled Mr. King’s mind. He blinked and saw his son, looking so much like her. He knew he should be angry that Xander and David had broken their promise never to sneak through a portal again. But that was some-thing they could address another time. Right now all he could feel was relief . . . and gratitude. He extended his hand through the bars. Xander squeezed it tightly.
    â€œXander,” he said. “You’re doing it, son.”
    â€œBut . . . but, what now? You’re locked up in here. They’re trying to take the house. I don’t know what to do.”
    â€œBe strong and courageous,” Mr. King