Read Online Sanctuary Lost WITSEC Town Series Book 1 by Lisa Phillips - Free Book Online

talking. But she recommended I come
in alone also.”
    “That’s good.”
    Grant huffed. “The director of the marshals
does not need to sit down in a…what did she call it? Oh, yeah. A
safe place to talk about his feelings.”
    “Be that as it may—”
    “No. I don’t want to do it.”
    “Do you want your family back?”
    Grant sighed but didn’t answer.
    Pat emerged from the apartment stairs and
John waved him over. “I’ll take that as a yes. Do this, Grant. Suck
it up and get them back.”
    The kid stumbled over, his eyes unfocused. He
climbed onto John’s lap, burrowing in the same way he’d done during
the night.
    “Fine,” Grant said. “But you know there’s a
therapist in town. It’s customary for new residents to meet with
her at least once so she can file a report on how they’re
acclimating.”
    “Good luck with that.” John wrapped his arm
around his son. “I’m way too busy. Maybe next month.”
    Grant laughed. “Door swings both ways,
brother.”
    “Not here it doesn’t. Didn’t you know that?”
John laughed. “Did you approve Battle Night? Apparently it’s this
thing they do here.”
    “Sure, what’s the harm? The Major General
wants to re-live his glory days commanding troops and the rest of
them are just blowing off steam. It’s mostly harmless.”
    That seemed to be the party line.
    John clicked his mouse and pulled up the
sheriff’s office reports for the past month. There were less than
twenty entries. “I’ll check it out. If it’s not in the best
interest of the safety of the town, I’m pulling their
authorization. I’m not condoning something that creates mobs of
people racing around trying to injure each other, a mess of stuff
to clean up the next day, or more than a minimum of five minor
injuries logged at the medical center. They can get their jollies
elsewhere.”
    “Your call.”
    “You’re right. It is.”
    Grant chuckled. “I think you’re going to do
fine. Check in with me next week, yeah?”
    “Sure.” Pat lifted his head. Before he even
asked, John said to Grant, “Pat wants to know when his bike will be
here.”
    “Tell him it’ll be in Monday’s delivery along
with some stuff mom sent.”
    John related that to his son, who said,
“Awesome!”
    Grant said bye and they hung up.
    “So.” He gave his boy a squeeze. “What do you
want to do today?”
    “Can we go exploring?” Pat’s stomach rumbled.
“Can we have pancakes first? I’m hungry.”
    John flipped on the radio in the apartment
while he whipped up pancake batter. Two rock songs sung by men who
were likely in their seventies by now aired back-to-back before the
DJ came on.
    “Better batten down your hatches, folks.
Battle Night begins at eight tonight. If you’re on the street, you
will be shot. Both teams are reporting in, ten privates each and
two sergeants per five-man squad. Lieutenants are Bolton Farrera
for A team and Dan Walden for B team. Major General Halt has
confirmed all slots are now full and the rosters are closed. Good
luck to all. Stay safe. And remember; only losers get dead!”
     
    **
     
    “I want to come!”
    John glanced aside at him. “I know you do,
Pat. But it might be dangerous.” He pulled on a jacket, his
shoulder holster snug across his back and under his arms. The
weight of it was familiar, like a pair of boots not worn since last
winter. “You should stay here. Watch one of the movies you have on
your iPad and call me from the phone at my desk if you need
anything. I doubt I’ll be out for long.”
    “I won’t get in the way.”
    “Pat, I said no. I need to be able to trust
you’re gonna listen to me and do what I say.” Pat looked at the
floor. “Why don’t you hang out downstairs? I don’t want you
answering the door to anyone, but maybe you can call Uncle
Nate.”
    “It’s too late tonight. He’s in Florida and
he has a game tomorrow.”
    “So call Uncle Ben or Grandma.”
    “Okay.”
    “Look.” John crouched. “I’m not