Resolution: Evan Warner Book 1 Read Online Free PDF

trying to thank you.”
    “Give me a break. The kid doesn’t have a clue what’s going on and he doesn’t have to thank me for anything. That’s like saying he should apologize for being victimized. Total bullshit. And it’s all on you now.”
    “Well,” she exhaled. “We were honestly trying to express our gratitude. But I can see—”
    “Stop,” I said. “Give it up. The game is over. A blind guy could see what you’re doing here.”
    “Game? You think this is a game?”
    “Let me guess,” I said. “You were probably bored to death before this little soap opera started. Probably hiding in your tent with your iPad, letting your kid entertain himself. Alone. Right?”
    “Don’t you dare,” she snapped, pointing her finger up at me.
    Bullseye. I’d struck a nerve. Her finger was trembling. But she was still lucky, because if a man had done the same, he’d have lost that finger. Someone would have to put it on ice in a little plastic baggie. Then some doctor would have to go through the trouble of trying to reattach it.
    “You about done?” I asked.
    “Don’t speak to me that way.”
    “That’s it,” I said. “I’m done with you. Pack your crap and hit the road.”
    “You have no right to judge me. No right!”
    I said, “Yeah, get mad. The truth stings. Spending the weekend camping with the kid wasn’t your idea of fun. Was it? But it was useful for keeping him from his father. Sure. I’ve seen your type before. And now, after what just happened, instead of being genuinely grateful, here you are trying to exploit the situation for every last second of attention you can get. Using the shame and emasculation of your kid to keep the drama rolling. If that’s your brand of parenting, do him a favor and get him neutered. Spare him the longer process of living with you.”
    Rianne just stood there. She abandoned the argument and instead wrinkled her face up, trying to force the tears to flow. Trying to make me look like the bad guy for stating the obvious. Even Frank could see what she was up to.
    That’s when her new husband stepped up behind her. He put his arm around her and tried to draw her back away from me. Wise decision. He looked sharp and bright. Like he worked in some big office in Boston making important decisions. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing with this twit. There had to be a better woman out in the world somewhere. He probably could’ve thrown a rock and hit a better woman right there at the campground.
    Uncle Danny stepped over to me, said, “You’ve made your point, Evan.”
    I ignored him. She had started it. Drama was her goal, not mine. I was just giving her what she wanted.
    “Be honest,” I said to her. “You didn’t even see those guys watching your kid. You screamed a few seconds after he screamed. You reacted only to the sound. Because you weren’t watching him. You’re all worked up now because deep down you feel guilty. Don’t you?”
    That was it. She completely lost it. She gave up trying to cry and screamed like a warrior princess. Broke free from her hubby and lunged at me like Hannibal Lecter.
    Uncle Danny reacted fast and intercepted her. Then crowded her back a safe distance.
    I held my ground, staring her down coldly. I’m not a big fan of people that manipulate kids, use them as leverage and screw with their heads. It’s just as bad as physical abuse.
    Rianne refused to look at me again. Which was fine by me.
    Then my dad promptly jumped into PR mode. Went over and tried to explain that my job was very stressful, especially on busy weekends. Rianne stood there blubbering and her hubby was trying to console her while Jeremy, the real victim, got lost in the shuffle. They moved away from me in a little huddle of stressed chatter.
    Linda Milton whispered, “Wow, harsh. But I see your point. She is obnoxious.”
    I nodded and said, “Shouldn’t you go check on Bob? Make sure he’s still got a pulse?”
    “God, I almost forgot in