Operation: Normal by Linda V. Palmer Read Free Book Online Page B

today. Weird, huh?"
    "Weird?" His gaze clashed with mine. "I think scary is a little better word.
Have you called the police?"
    "No."
    "Why not?"
    "I wasn't sure I should."
    "Ally, your ex-nanny threatened you. Call the police."
    What? It took me almost a minute to absorb what Zach just said. Then I laughed. "Sylvie
hasn't had time to write any threat letters," I told him. "I only fired her this morning. No, this one
is definitely for my mom."
    Zach gave me the oddest look. "Why would someone send her a threat letter?"
    "Let me think... Because she's currently touring with Blak Magyk?"
    "Blak Magyk? Holy--" He caught himself. "Are you freakin' kidding me?"
    I shook my head.
    "That's insane!" He began to pace the kitchen. "Those women are nothing but rabble
rousers."
    "Uh, Zach?"
    "Radicals, I'm telling you, with a goal of pissing off every violence-prone crazy on the
planet."
    "Zach?"
    "Why, just this week I heard the lead singer admit she likes getting death threats. How
sick is that?"
    "Zach!"
    He finally stopped and looked at me. "What?"
    "Could you please shut up? You're scaring Kayly."
    With a guilty start, he looked at my sister, who squealed her delight and gave him a
sloppy grin. Zach looked back at me, one eyebrow arched.
    "All right," I admitted. "You're scaring me."
    "Sorry, but--" He glanced again at the letter he still held. "I'm guessing you haven't told
your mom about this."
    "I won't be in contact with her until later tonight."
    "Then call the police."
    "I'm not sure that's the thing to do."
    "Because?"
    "Kayly and I are alone."
    "That's exactly the reason you should call them."
    "Maybe. I just don't want them to assume the worst about Mom for, you know, leaving
us here while she does her job."
    I watched as my meaning slowly dawned on Zach. He pushed his hair back out of his
eyes again and nodded once.
    "Okay. You've made your point." He thought for a minute. "You could always tell them
about firing the old nanny and say that her replacement hasn't arrived yet. You don't have to
mention that one never will." He suddenly looked at me. "Not that I condone lying to the police
or anything. I just don't want Children's Services or whoever to come around and take Kayly
away."
    I burst out laughing. I mean, I couldn't help it. That was so not going to happen.
    Zach glared at me.
    "Okay. All right. 9-1-1 it is." I slid off the stool and began to look for my cell phone. It
wasn't on the bar, Mom's desk, or anywhere else in the living area, so I headed down the hall to
my room. When I didn't find it there, either, I checked Mom's room, all the while trying to
remember the last time I used it. Finally I walked back to the kitchen. "Call me."
    Zach, who already had his own cell phone in his hand, probably to offer it to me, flipped
it open and punched a couple of buttons. My phone began ringing almost at once. I immediately
turned and dug it out from under the cushions on the couch.
    "Thanks." I dialed 9-1-1 and explained the situation to a very nice lady, who promised to
send someone out. "Thanks," I said again, flipping the phone shut. I looked at Zach. "Okay. It's
done. Feel better?"
    "Yeah, actually. Mind if I hang out until they get here?"
    I couldn't keep from smiling. "Not at all. I guess I should take Kayly out of her
highchair," I said watching her slide down in the seat.
    "I can do it." Zach stuck the letter back on the fridge with the magnet, then walked to
my sister's chair and removed the tray, handing it to me.
    By then I stood at the sink. "Don't forget your drink."
    "Oh, yeah."
    I grabbed a paper towel and wet it down so I could wipe Kayly's sticky fingers and face
while Zach downed his Coke in one long, thirsty gulp.
    "She's all yours."
    Zach held up his empty can. "Trash or recycle?"
    I took it and put it in the recycle bin. Zach unbuckled Kayly's safety belt and lifted her
out of the highchair. He settled her on his arm as he walked to the couch, where he paused as if
not sure what to do with her