Mind Games

Thea put on jeans because shorts seemed wrong, then braided her hair because it seemed tidier. She didn’t want the police artist to treat her like a child, or a freak.

To keep busy, she made her bed, then her grandmother’s, since she’d slept in both.

As she finished, Rem came to hover in the doorway.

“You have to tell me what happened. What you saw.”

“Not now, Rem. I will,” she said before he could argue. “I swear.” To seal it, she swiped her finger over her heart. “But I can’t say it all again right now. I don’t want to be all shaky when I talk to the artist.”

“But you will.” His eyes, so like their father’s, arrowed into her. “You promised, crossed your heart.”

“I double promise.” She swiped her heart again. “Maybe we’ll take a walk later and I’ll tell you, so Grammie doesn’t have to hear it all again.”

“We need to shake on it.”

That actually made her roll her eyes, but she shook. Then heard the knock. “Oh God, that’s them now.”

“Don’t be scared. I’ll stay with you, too.”

She wasn’t scared, but didn’t say so. She was nervous she’d get something wrong, something important, and he’d get away. So she couldn’t get anything wrong. She wouldn’t.

The sheriff stood with a woman, and she hadn’t expected a woman.

Her mom would’ve given her a look about that.

The artist was a woman, barely as tall as Thea, with straight dark hair that came to her chin and dark eyes.

“Thea, Rem,” Lucy began, “this is Detective Wu.”

“You can call me Mai.” She held out a slender, delicate hand. “I’m sorry to meet you this way. I’m very sorry for your loss.”

“I can see him.”

“I understand.”

Not only a woman she hadn’t expected, but none of the judgment she’d prepared for.

“I thought you could work in the kitchen.” Lucy laid a hand on Thea’s shoulder. “There’s a good table there.”

“Wherever Thea’s most comfortable.”

“The kitchen’s good.”

“Just back here. Can I get you coffee, tea?”

“Just water for me, if you don’t mind. This is perfect.” Mai set a case on the table. “I’ve never been to this part of the country before. It’s beautiful.”

She sat, somehow managed to pet all three dogs at once.

“Rem, let the dogs out.”

“Oh, not on my account. They’re so sweet. Do you want them outside, Thea?”

“No, they’re okay.”

“I know this is hard.” Mai opened the case, took out a sketchbook, some pencils, erasers. “I want you to try to relax. Just sit and breathe. Do I hear chickens? Don’t the dogs bother them?”

“They guard them from foxes and hawks, even bears.”