Published: 26 May 2022

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The man then asked himself if Kaden was involved with those three men, and had gotten the drugs into Bill’s room, he wondered how he did it and when did he have the opportunity.

Ken Thomas felt the strain of the night and his tiredness began to overtake him. He lay back down on his bed and fell directly asleep.

Mark had a fitful sleep that night. The young boy dreamt about what he heard while in the ‘Safe Room’ and how badly his ‘big brother’ was beaten. The boy tossed and turned all night long. Chief was there, at the ready, if she was ever needed to get Mr. Ken.

As far as he was concerned, the morning came way too early for Ken Thomas that Monday. He’d gotten to bed at roughly 2 a.m. and here it was 8:30 already, and he felt as if he still needed another five or six hours of sleep.

The man got out of bed and headed into his bathroom to take care of his morning business. After washing his face and hands, he dressed in his normal nylon running shorts, t-shirt and Crocs and headed out to get his morning newspaper.

As the man entered the Kitchen Nook, he knew he needed to inform Momma Maria about the new member of The Cove, and that he might be late coming down for breakfast.

As the owner of The Cove was telling Momma about Mark, the twins and Matthew arrived in the Nook. The boys’ ‘dad’ told them to have a seat and that was when they all learned that they had a new ‘brother’, Mark.

The three boys moved to get out of their seats to head upstairs to go meet him, but Mr. Ken told them to STOP where they were and get back into their seats.

“Boys … Mark … he didn’t get to bed until about two o’clock this morning. I told Robert … I told your older ‘brother’ to let him sleep in as long as he needed, as he will have a very busy day today. Mark is almost ten and will have his birthday next month.

“Boys … we all need to watch the morning news to get the feel of what happened last night at his house. That way you will have a good idea of why he is here with us, and then you’ll know what not to talk to him about. Momma, let’s hold breakfast until we can hear what the news stations are saying about last night,” suggested Mr. Ken.

The man went over to the Kitchen Nook’s TV and turned it on to the 24-Hour news channel. The news reporter was beginning to talk about the home invasion and everyone in the Kitchen Nook listened to what he had to say.

“As we reported last night and early this morning, the home of Levi and Miriam Golderson, and their ten-year-old son, was invaded by four individuals around 8:30 last evening, after the family returned home from dining out.

“What we have subsequently learned is that their young son, just as the men rushed into the house, had been sent to an upstairs hidey hole the parents had installed last year. Throughout the entire ordeal, the ten-year-old boy was safe inside the room and the home invaders had no idea the boy was there.

“We also learned that the home intruders had cut the phone and internet lines prior to going into the house. This was obviously a planned attack and not something random as many home invasions seem to be.

“The Sheriff’s Information Officer told this station that the home invasion went on for over two hours when Mr. Golderson was able to break free from his restraints and tackle the person left to watch over him and his wife.

“It was said that Levi Golderson was able to knock their guard over, get to his gun safe and retrieve his home defense weapon and, just as one of the other men came rushing to the master bedroom door, was able to exchange gunshots with the man.

“We also learned, from close-by neighbors, that there were multiple gunshots heard coming from the house over a very short period of time. The neighbors said there had been as many as twelve gunshots, but there may have been many more as one neighbor said there was a continuous sound of gunfire before it all stopped. The neighbors said they immediately called 911.

“In doing our research, this station discovered that Levi Golderson is a bank branch manager and had a concealed carry weapons permit and legally owned the gun he used against the intruders. His wife, Miriam, is a Professor at the Community College and taught English there.

“The Sheriff’s Information Officer told this station that there was one dead inside the house and four people were injured and subsequently taken to the hospital and that one of the injured was taken there by air ambulance.

“The Sheriff’s department has not released the names of the intruders, one of which was believed to be a teenager of about fifteen. Two of those injured were teenagers, but because of their age their names would not be released.

“With one man dead, and supposedly two men are at large, we do not want to speculate which of the two teens were a part of the invasion, but undoubtedly one is. They were both transported to the hospital with one, we believe, having a gunshot wound. We have no information on what the other teenager was doing at the House.

“We have contacted the hospital to learn about the injuries the people suffered during their ordeal, but have been rebuffed by them. They told this news station that it was privileged information that could only be released to family members.

“What was also of interest about last night’s crime scene was, that seen there, were Mr. Ken Thomas, entrepreneur and noted local hero for taking a bullet for his foster son, and Ms. Judy Turner, the Director of Children’s Protective Services.

“It was said that Mr. Thomas and Ms. Turner were seen talking to Sheriff Matthew Barnes and that after a long discussion, Mr. Thomas was ultimately outfitted in protective clothing and was allowed to walk into the crime scene.

“Reporters at the scene took video of the man going into the house and about twenty minutes later coming out carrying a small boy. The reporter later learned, after talking to the Director of CPS herself, that Mr. Thomas would be the temporary foster parent of the boy, who was probably the Goldersons’ son.

“This news station has been unable to ascertain why Mr. Thomas was allowed into the active crime scene, and to bring out who was undoubtedly the son of Levi and Miriam Golderson.

“Calls to Sheriff Barnes to answer that question have gone unanswered by either him or his Information Officer. We will continue to investigate what happened during last night’s home invasion and we will continue to bring updates to you when they become available.”

“Boys … do you have any questions?” asked the boys’ ‘dad’, when the report was over.

While the Covers were watching the news, upstairs, Mark woke up and realizing he was not at home remembered that Mr. Ken had come to get him as his ‘big brother’ told him he would. The boy then remembered the reason why he was there and he began to cry.

Chief went to the boy and tried to calm him down the only way she knew how, and that was by giving him doggie kisses. Robert had gone out of the room to drain his bladder and wasn’t there when his new ‘brother’ woke up.

When Robert came back into the room, he heard Mark crying and immediately went to him to find out why he was crying and to also try to calm him down. Mark jumped into Robert’s arms and cried even harder.

Through his tears, Robert learned the boy wanted to know what happened to his parents and his ‘big brother’. The teenager couldn’t answer those questions for the boy, so he sent Chief to get his dad. Chief took off in a flash.

“Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof,” continued Chief, as she headed down the hallway, then the stairs and into the Kitchen Nook. When the resident pet arrived in the Nook, she then grabbed Mr. Ken’s wrist and pulled on it telling him she wanted him to go with her.

Mr. Ken immediately jumped out of his seat, tipping it over, and ran with Chief up the stairs to get to what he figured was Mark, who was in trouble. The other boys quickly followed behind.

By that time, Mr. Wayne and Mr. Chris had arrived and were just hearing the boys’ questions and getting the answers about last night’s home invasion, when Chief came running into the Kitchen Nook and barking up a storm.

Momma Maria was beside herself at what she was hearing. She knew she had another foster boy to hug, love and nurture, but the reason for his being there was horrific to her, and she only hoped that the boy’s parents would be OK.

Chris and Wayne talked to Momma about what Mr. Ken was alluding to, as he talked to the boys. It was then they both learned that Mr. Ken was at the house last night with Ms. Judy and that he was now the foster parent for the boy whom he carried out of the house.

None of the three adults knew about Billy, and that it was his new foster parents’ house which was invaded. Mr. Ken hadn’t told anyone, other than his son, Robert, that Bill would be returning to The Cove when he gets released from the hospital.

“Mark, oh Mark,” lightly said Mr. Ken, as he took the crying boy from Robert.

“Mark … do you remember why you are staying with me?” quietly asked Mr. Ken, to make sure the boy wasn’t having a mental breakdown over what he had seen and possibly thought had happened to his parents.

“Yes, yes, my ‘big brother’, he … he told me to squeeze the coin and … and you’d be there for me,” cried Mark through his answer.

The two key words, ‘big brother’ and ‘coin’ got the attention of the boys out in the hallway. They asked one another what that could mean. Charles came out of the bathroom just then and when he heard his ‘brothers’ talk about the coin, the teen told them it was Billy’s coin and Mark was his new little ‘brother’.

“Mark … I don’t have any information about your parents or your ‘big brother’ right now. I … I need to make some phone calls to see … well, to see if I can get word about their condition.

“How about you let Robert show you … no … what say we go downstairs and meet Momma Maria … and get you something to eat, first. Robert can then show you where you can get cleaned up. Will that be OK with you?” calmly asked the new foster parent.

“Can … can I use the bathroom first?” timidly asked the tear laden youngster.

Robert took Mark’s hand and the two of them walked over to the bathroom where the boy could use the urinal to drain his bladder.

As the two went into the bathroom, Mr. Ken said, “Boys … you heard the news report about his parents. They were both shot and are in critical condition. Bill … he was severely beaten but … but that wasn’t released by the Sheriff’s Office.

“Your ‘big brother’ … he will be coming back here, after he gets released from the hospital. I do not want you telling anyone about Bill, you hear me?” sternly said the boys’ ‘dad’.

It was then Mr. Ken heard some crying. When he searched to find out who it was, he found that Matthew was crying. The man pulled the boy to him and held him tight

“Why are you crying Matthew?” calmly asked Mr. Ken.

“Billy … you said he was beaten. Why? Why did they do that to him?” cried Matthew.

Mark had come out of the bathroom and heard Matthews’s question, so he went over to the boy and said, “It was because they blamed him for the death of some guy named ‘Smokey’. But … but it was my fault it happened.” Mark then ran to Mr. Ken and cried even more.

All the boys were confused by what they just heard. They began talking to one another to try to figure out what that all meant. Mr. Ken heard their loud talking and asked them to stop. He told them all to head down for breakfast, and he and Mark would be down there soon.

By then, Chris and Wayne had come upstairs to see if they could get more information about what the home invasion had to do with their boss and make some sense out of what little they knew. Now, after Mark’s revelation, they were just as confused as the boys were. They followed the boys back downstairs.

“Mark … it was NOT … it was not your fault that your ‘big brother’ … that Bill got beaten,” Mr. Ken said in as gentle voice as he could muster, in trying to calm the boy down and to get him not to blame himself.

“Yes, it was,” cried Mark. “Kaden … he called Billy, and … and I answered the phone. I … I was the one who told him where we lived, so Kaden … so he could stop by and visit him. If … if I … if I hadn’t given him … if I hadn’t given him our address this … this would never have happened,” continued the heavily crying youngster.

Mr. Ken hugged the boy tight and let him cry himself out. As the boy cried, the man told himself he now needed to get Doctor Jennings involved, and soon, so the boy can work through what he believed was his fault.

It took Mark about seven minutes to calm down. And when he was calm enough, Mr. Ken told the boy once again, that he was not the reason for what happened. Mr. Ken then told the boy Momma Maria was waiting for him and she wanted to feed him some breakfast.

Mark smiled at hearing Momma Maria’s name and told his foster dad that Billy told him all about her good cooking and he couldn’t wait to meet her and taste her awesome food. Mr. Ken smiled and patted the boy on his back, and then the two headed down to the Kitchen Nook.

When the two Covers entered the Kitchen Nook, the others were still discussing what they heard that morning and what it all meant. Mr. Ken knew he needed to put an end to their speculation, but first he had a few phone calls to make.

“Everyone … please … stop! Stop speculating about what you heard from the news station and upstairs just a few minutes ago. I’ll brief you on everything that I know, after I make some necessary phone calls. OK?”

“Momma … this is Mark. He’s heard through Bill about your awesome food and he can’t wait to taste it. Please make him something that will stick to his ribs, while I make some phone calls. And boys … do not … and I repeat … do not ask him any questions about last night. Do you hear me?” finished ‘dad’ Ken.

The boys knew that their dad meant, by the tone in his voice, what he just said about them asking Mark questions about what happened at their home. They knew that was a very serious situation and that they had to wait to get the full 411.

Mr. Ken asked Chris and Wayne to go with him to his Study. He wanted them to know about the calls he was making and to whom and why.

The first call Mr. Ken made was to Bill Jackson’s office to see if he could get Stewart Russell there by one o’clock for the Sheriff’s interview of Mark. Mr. Ken had to brief his lawyer, Bill Jackson, on, what it was all about. When Bill learned that it dealt with last night’s home invasion, he said they’d both be there.

Mr. Ken’s next phone call was to Doctor Doug. He told the receptionist about the reason for his call and the need for an emergency consultation. Mr. Ken told the woman that he would be busy with the Sheriff’s investigators most of the day, but either his Estate’s Manager or Master could take the call. Then, kiddingly, Mr. Ken said to tell Doug that he could get a good meal tonight if he wanted to stop by.

Mr. Ken then called the hospital to find out the status of Levi and Miriam Golderson and William Dirketson. When he was finally put through to the proper person in the Admissions Office, he was rebuffed at his request. Mr. Ken told them he was the boys’ foster parent and he needed that information to talk to the boy.

The woman in the Admissions Office told him he would need to bring those papers in so they could verify he was indeed the foster parent and then, and only then, would they release any information to him. Mr. Ken, upset at the run around he felt he was getting, told the woman he and the boy would be over there later today. Then, he hung up.

“Men … this will be a day of days. Matthias and Roberts will be here at one, and so will Bill Jackson and Stewart Russell. And, I wouldn’t be surprised if Judy will want to be here as well. You two will have to hold down the fort.

“Oh, geez … the news media … they are probably up at the Main Gate right now, and they’ll want to ask me questions about why I was there last night. And, I need to get my shower. Guys … that is where I am going right now. If I don’t, I don’t know when I’ll ever get the chance,” finished Mr. Ken, who then got up from behind his desk, and headed into his private retreat.

The two men headed back to the Kitchen Nook and when they entered, the boys asked where their ‘dad’ was. Mr. Chris told them that their ‘dad’ wanted to get his shower and would be out when he was finished getting ready for the day.

“But … I thought … I thought he was going to tell us more about what happened last night?” whined Matthew.

“Boys,” began Mr. Wayne, “when you finish your breakfast, you all should get your showers and get yourselves ready for your day. It will probably be nothing like a standard day around here.”

“Whh, what about me?” timidly asked Mark.

“Oh, yes … ahh Matthew … do you … do you have some clothes that don’t fit you very well? When you go upstairs, look for something that Mark could wear. Oh, and Robert, please show your new ‘brother’ how to use the shower in the girl’s bathroom. He might not be used to showering with a bunch of boys,” directed Mr. Wayne.

“I can do that,” quickly spoke up Matthew. “I remember how it was when I first got here and had to use the girl’s bathroom. I’ll show him what to do.”

The boys finished eating and went to Momma and they all gave her some hugs. Mark watched what they did and he asked Mr. Wayne why they did that. Kyle heard the question and told his new ‘brother’ that the only thing they had plenty of, were hugs that they could use to thank her with.

The twin added they had loads of them and they didn’t cost them anything to share. Mark smiled at hearing the reason, and he went over to thank Momma Maria for making breakfast for him. He told the woman that his ‘big brother’ told him all about how great her meals were and now he knew what he was talking about.

Momma hugged the boy back tight and had some tears fall as she knew, from what she learned that morning about what happened to Mr. and Mrs. Golderson, the boy had to be missing his parents right now.

Matthew took Mark up to his room and they looked through the clothes Matthew felt he was beginning to outgrow. The Cover found some clean underwear for his new ‘brother’ to wear and a pair of shorts and a polo shirt, too.

Matthew took Mark to the girl’s bathroom and showed him how to operate the shower controls, and then he told him that he would go get him a fresh towel and would put it on the rack for him when he was finished.

Mark asked him if he was going to take his shower with him. Matthew told the new boy that he didn’t want him to feel embarrassed if he never showered with another boy before. The Cover told Mark about his experience when he first arrived at The Cove, and said he didn’t want to force something like that on him.

Mark told his new ‘brother’ that he tried to get Billy to shower with him, but that his ‘big brother’ said his mom wouldn’t understand. He then asked Matthew to shower with him, so he knew what it was like. Matthew smiled, and then said he would be right back with two fresh towels.

When Mr. Ken came out of his private retreat, he went directly to the Kitchen Nook to talk to the boys. When he got there, he saw all the boys were all gone. Mr. Wayne was sitting there drinking his coffee and told his employer that he sent them up to get cleaned up, as well, and that he had Matthew taking care of his new foster son.

Mr. Ken thanked his Estate Master for doing that for him and then sat down to read his morning newspaper, which was still in its protective plastic sleeve. Momma then brought him over a cup of fresh hot coffee, a couple of pancakes and some crisp bacon, as she knew he hadn’t had his breakfast yet.

Mr. Ken thanked the woman for doing that for him and then opened up his paper.

That was the headline that greeted the man when he looked at the front page.

Ken Thomas read the article as he quickly ate his breakfast. The article didn’t have anything more than what he heard reported on the TV news earlier, but the man continued to read the entire article to see how they addressed his and Judy’s appearance at the crime scene.

It was then Mr. Chris came into the Nook to tell his boss that the news media were up at the Main Gate and they wanted a comment from him about his appearance at the crime scene.

Mr. Ken sighed knowing that was coming, but had hoped they would have waited for their evening news segment. The man reluctantly got out from behind his late breakfast and went out to drive a golf cart up to the Main Gate. He asked the men to go with him, so that way they knew what was said.

As the owner of The Cove drove up to the Main Gate, he noticed his boys’ friends had begun to arrive. He hadn’t realized how late it was getting.

As soon as the owner of The Cove walked outside the Main Gate, followed by his two employees, the questions were thrown out at him like someone shot a shotgun and all the pellets were the questions.

“One at a time please,” called out Mr. Ken, as he pointed to one reporter.

“What was your involvement at the crime scene last night, and why was it you who carried the young boy out of the house?” asked one reporter.

Mr. Ken had to think fast before he answered. “Well … I drove Ms. Turner over to the crime scene because there was the possibility that the boy may have to go into the foster care system. And, as it turned out, he did.”

“But why did you carry the boy outside and not one of the Deputies?” persisted the original reporter.

“That’s a great question, that I think is better answered by the Sheriff’s Information Officer,” responded Ken Tomas.

“Come on Mr. Thomas … you were outfitted for that purpose, so tell us why you were the one to go inside and bring the young boy out,” further asked the reporter.

“Well … the boy … he was … he was well hidden. And the Deputies didn’t know where he was and even after all their calling out of his name he refused to come out of where he was hiding,” lied the man, but he kept on going. “It was just a thought … that he might come out if someone other than a Deputy was there to … to coax him out. That was why I was asked to go in.”

“But, why you?” quickly followed up the reporter. “Many of the Goldersons’ neighbors were there, so why not them?”

“I’d have to say that … well, since I was right there talking with Sheriff Barnes, and since he knew me and my being a foster parent for many young boys, and he did not know the neighbors, I was asked if I would help them find where the boy was.”

“Why was it that you were there last night with the Director of Children’s Protective Services?” was the next question thrown at him.

“We talked and I decided I’d drive her over there, in case she was needed, to accept the young boy into CPS. Also, I didn’t want her to be out driving that late at night into a crime scene without someone she knew there,” was how Mr. Ken answered the question.

“Why was it that you decided to foster the young boy? Weren’t there other families who could have accepted the boy into their homes?” asked another reporter.

“Well, that late at night, would you want to be awakened by a phone call asking you if you were ready to take in a foster boy who was just involved at a major crime scene? I don’t think so! …

“Look … Ms. Turner … she knew I could easily care for the boy, since I have a foster boy about his age, so the transition would be fairly easy for the young lad. Now, I need to get back to said boy, as we have many decisions to make, one of which is what he will do for clothes.” Mr. Ken then thanked the reporters for their time, and walked back into the estate.

When the man entered the Kitchen Nook from the garage his boys were there waiting on him, including Mark. They wanted him to explain to them what he knew about last night’s home invasion and their getting a new ‘brother’, Mark.

Mr. Ken took the boys to his Study, where everyone had a seat. But as the boys all sat down, Mr. Ken then realized that when Billy comes back to the home, he’d be one chair short. He decided to get with Chris later about that.

“Boys … late last night … I received a phone call from Diamond Security … telling me that one of my coins sent out a signal. It was Bill’s coin,” got out the man before the boys began asking him about their older ‘brother’.

“Boys, let me finish. I immediately called Ms. Judy and we went over there to see what the trouble was that made Bill press his coin.

“But … it wasn’t Bill who squeezed his coin. It was … it was Mark who did that. I suspect that Bill told him what to do …” but Mr. Ken was interrupted by Mark.

“Yes, Billy, my ‘big brother’ … oh, they beat him up really bad,” said Mark through a few tears. “Anyway, Billy … he told me about the coin and told me to go back into the ‘Safe Room’ and squeeze it, and I was to wait until Mr. Ken came to get me. And, that is what I did,” interjected Mark.

“Yes, Mark … he would not come out from his hiding spot so … well, they dressed me in protective clothing and I went in calling out Mark’s name. And the rest, as they say, is History,” finished ‘dad’ Ken.

“But … but what about our ‘brother’ Billy?” quickly asked Matthew.

“When Ms. Judy and I arrived … they had already taken Bill to the hospital. But he did tell the EMTs about Mark, and that was why I went in to get him. I called the hospital earlier, but they will not give me any information about him, until I bring over my official foster parent documents saying I am Bill’s foster dad.

“We, Mark and I, will do that after he is interviewed by Lt. Matthias and Sgt. Roberts at one o’clock. And, you cannot be there for that. Your friends are already up at the Cove Skate Park and Pavilion and are waiting on you,” finished ‘dad’ Ken.

“But what about what Mark said … about that it was his fault that happened,” somewhat demanded Matthew.

Mark then spoke up and told them how he took a phone call from Kaden and gave him their address and if he hadn’t, none of that would have happened. Hearing that Kaden was involved caused even more questions to be asked.

“Boys … Kaden … he was the other teen at the scene … and he was shot … in the back. I do not know who shot him, so don’t ask. All I know is that Kaden … he was there with the three men he was arrested with a few weeks back. And, boys … I now believe it was Kaden who planted the drugs in Bill’s room,” added the boys’ ‘dad’.

But Mark knew he needed to tell them the truth, so he told them how he heard the man, who was called Weston, tell Billy all about how they were able to get into the house that night of the 4^th of July fireworks display and put the drugs behind that panel in his ‘big brothers’ closet.

“Dad … how would Mark know about the panel. He’s never been here. How would he know about the panel in Billy’s closet?” asked Charles.

“Boys … when I get the chance … I’ll check the security cameras for the night of the 4^th of July and see what I can find. In the meantime, I have to get ready for Lt. Matthias and Sgt. Roberts who will be here at one o’clock. Now, go and catch up with your friends,” said ‘dad’ Ken.

“Dad … what can we tell them?” asked Robert.

“Wow …that IS a good question, son. Boys … you can tell your friends … that you have a new ‘brother’ and that Bill … and that he will be coming back when he is released from the hospital in a few days. But boys … the news media … they haven’t been told about Bill being in the house, just yet, so … so ask your friends not to repeat that until the Sheriff’s Office releases that information. OK?” asked ‘dad’ Ken.

As the boys filed out of the Study, Mr. Ken introduced Mark to Mr. Wayne and explained what his position was around The Cove. Mark said that Billy had told him about Mr. Wayne and Mr. Chris. He then asked if Mr. Wayne still threw his penalty flags and blew his whistle when the boys did something wrong.

Both men had a good laugh. Then, Mr. Wayne told the new foster boy that the whistle and flags were a gag gift at Christmas from the boys, and that he only used them a few times, so the boys would know he appreciated the gift.

“Mark … that detective who asked you questions last night will be here at one o’clock to talk to you some more about what happened last night. They will have another man with them who will also ask you some questions. There will also be two lawyers here …” was all Mr. Ken got out before Mark spoke up.

“Am … am I going to be … arrested?” asked a now scared Mark Golderson.

“Oh, no, Mark,” replied Mr. Ken, who then grabbed the boy who had begun to cry.

“No, no, Mark … they aren’t going to arrest you,” said Mr. Ken.

“But … but why will there be lawyers there?” asked the new foster son.

“They will be there to protect your rights. They’ll make sure the detectives … that they don’t over step their authority, or begin to ask you questions they have no right to ask. All of your ‘brothers’ … they’ve had them there when they had to talk to the police. This will be something you all will have in common then,” explained Mr. Ken, with a smile.

“Oh,” was all Mark said.

“Mark … I also asked them about your parents, when I called the hospital. They wouldn’t tell me anything about them until … well, until I came over there with the official papers saying I am your foster dad. We’ll go over there as soon as the detectives are finished asking questions. I hope you can wait a little longer,” counseled Mr. Ken.

Mark jumped into the man’s arms and cried for his parents and for his ‘big brother’.

The man sat down in one of the chairs, pulled the boy onto his lap and let the youngster cry it out of his system. The man figured the boy hadn’t had a good cry yet, and this was the time to get it out of his system, before he had to answer the multitude of questions, he knew Matthias and Roberts would have.

The boy fell asleep while being held by his foster dad. Mr. Ken let the boy sleep until he learned that Lt Matthias and Sgt Roberts were there.

While Mark slept in his foster dad’s lap, Mr. Wayne told his employer he could start searching the old videos from the 4^th of July, and that would help him out. Mr. Ken told his Estate Master to go ahead, and gave him the security code to gain access. But he also told the man he wanted him there when they interviewed Mark.

When Mr. Ken saw, by the clock behind his desk, that it was getting close to when the detectives would be there, the man gently awakened the boy and had him use the bathroom and wash his face and hands, so he was awake for the detectives.

Mark asked him if he was to wash his hands up to his elbows, then he quickly ran away. But the boy came back to ask where the bathroom was. Mr. Wayne, still smiling from what the boy said, took him to the half-bath located just outside the Study.

Mr. Ken went to the Foyer and greeted the two detectives who arrived a little early. But just before the man closed the Foyer Door, he noticed two more vehicles entering the estate and then one more followed. The man waited at the Foyer for the last three people to arrive for the interview of Mark Golderson.

The saga of Three Finger Cove continues. Let Chowhound know you are reading his story: Chowhound at CastleRoland dot Net

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