Chapter 5 - BRYCE’S PARENTSBryce’s father was Nelson’s older brother Grant.
His mother was Ashley.
They arrived at the hospital without Bryce.
Good.
Ashley looked furious.
At me.
“You called deputies on a thirteen-year-old?”
“He shoved Peyton.”
“They were roughhousing.”
“Peyton says he threatened to push her over the railing two days earlier.”
Grant’s head moved.
“What?”
Ashley answered too quickly.
“She exaggerates.”
Nelson stepped in.
“How would you know what she said?”
Ashley froze.
Grant looked at his wife.
I watched the moment.
Something existed there.
“Have there been problems with Bryce?” I asked.
Grant’s jaw tightened.
“He’s thirteen.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“He gets impulsive.”
“Has he hurt someone before?”
Ashley said:
“Claire, this is not a courtroom.”
“No. It’s a pediatric hospital where my daughter’s shoulder is fractured.”
Grant whispered:
“A kid at school.”
Nelson turned.
“What kid?”
“Last spring.”
“What happened?”
“Bryce shoved him during gym.”
“Was the kid hurt?”
“Concussion.”
My blood went cold.
Nelson looked at his brother as if he had become a stranger.
“You never told us.”
Grant said:
“Dad handled it.”
There.
Again.
May you like
Dad handled it.
Walter.
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