Andy liked it better now the other kids had gone downstairs for reading lessons. It was really quiet without them, but it had been really quiet when they were all here. Andy thought that was weird, because kids were always noisy, especially lots of kids.
Mr. Wolf had thought it would be good for Andy to read as well. He said that knowledge was important. Andy said that he couldn't read so good. Mr. Wolf looked annoyed, just like his teacher did when Andy screwed up at math. Mr. Wolf got Claudia to read with him. They were reading Alice in Wonderland on the stairs. It was difficult, but Claudia didn't mind waiting for him.
The door swung open and Mr. DeSalvo walked in. The children called had three nicknames for him - Fat Pat; Fat Pig; the Fat Ogre - Andy thought they were funny. He pointed a pudgy finger at them.
"What are you two doing up here?" he growled.
"We're reading." said Andy.
"Don't be a smart guy." said Fat Pat, his eyebrows getting closer together.
"Father thought it best if we read separately. Andy doesn't read very well." answered Claudia.
"Oh right."
He came over, slowly, to where they were sitting until he was by the stairs. He leaned in. He was right next to Andy's face. He could smell his breath. It smelt like his Dad's used to. Like beer.
"Do you know what happens to little boys who can't read?" he grinned.
Andy was frightened.
"Do you want something in particular Mr. DeSalvo?"
Claudia was looking right at him. She wasn't afraid of him. The Fat Ogre stood up.
"There's a policeman outside. Said he's here to speak to Mr. Wolf. He's just finishing a cigarette."
Claudia went a bit white. She looked scared now. Mr. DeSalvo noticed and smirked.
"Tell him that father is not here. We can't have police officers turning up unannounced. It's just bad manners." she said, her voice wobbling.
Mr. Wolf came up from the basement. He looked at the three of them for a minute, like he was studying them. Claudia was shaking and the fat guy was grinning.
"What exactly is going on here?" asked Mr. Wolf.
"I found these two out of the basement. They were reading on the stairs and this one said he doesn't read so good."
"I gave them permission to do so. Andy will be leaving us tomorrow. What we're reading downstairs will not fit in with his schoolwork. I decided not to start him on our education program. If I had, his mother may have had questions for us.
Your assistance here is not necessary Mr. DeSalvo."
"The only reason I came in here Mr. Wolf was cos there's a cop outside."
"I told him to send the policeman away father. To say that you weren't here." whimpered Claudia really quickly. Mr. Wolf looked at her funny.
"What's all this fuss about Claudia? I invited officer Gucci so we could talk. There's no need for these hysterics."
"My apologies father. I'll show Andy to his room."
"You will wait to see if officer Gucci will require tea Claudia."
Claudia groaned quietly and put her head on her knees. Mr. Wolf muttered to himself. There was a knock at the door.
"Let him in Mr. DeSalvo and then resume your duties. Andy, you may stay or go. It's your decision."
Fat Pat mumbled, opened the door and barged past Thomas. Andy was glad it was Thomas. He decided to stay.
"Glad you could make it officer."
"We're keen to get to the bottom of this Mr. Wolf." said Thomas.
Thomas looked at Claudia doubled over on the stairs.
"Is she alright? Is it the eye?" he asked quietly.
"She's fine officer. She's helping Andy with his reading. You may continue with the story."
Claudia sat up and fixed her dad with a one eyed stare.
"Continue with the book Claudia."
Claudia kept staring. He stared back.
"Andy is waiting to hear what happens next."
Andy did want to hear the rest of the story, but he didn't want to cause an argument. Claudia didn't move anyhow. Mr. Wolf was getting mad.
"Now is not the time for disobedience. Now is the time for important discussion. Now read the book!" he roared.
Everyone was watching her. Thomas looked like he was going to come over, but Claudia started flicking through the pages of the book without moving her eye from her dad. Andy was amazed when she stopped at the right page. Only then did she drop her head and start reading where they had left off. The grown ups sat down at one of the tables to talk. Andy wanted to know if it was about Cheryl, but Claudia was reading out loud and he couldn't hear what they were saying. He sighed.
It was difficult to keep up with Claudia talking and the men talking. He didn't want to stop her and go over and over the words. Not in front of Mr. Wolf and Thomas. He listened to her voice instead. It was unusual, but not harsh like it had been in the hospital. It was warm and calming. She was good at telling stories.
"Do you know what that means, Andy?" she asked.
He got a little nervous. He hadn't been following the story. He knew she went after a rabbit and fell down a hole but not where they were or what 'that' meant. Andy felt hot. He was going red too. He was sure the grown ups were listening even though they were talking to each other. He didn't want Thomas to know that he was bad at reading and he remembered the look that Mr. Wolf had given him when he said that he was slow at it. He could feel water in his eyes. Claudia looked at him kindly. Andy was surprised. She put her hand on his back and rubbed it gently, like his mom. He hadn't expected her to be nice. He wiped his eye with his jumper.
"Don't panic." she said quietly, "this word, 'ventured', Do you know what it means?"
He did know what it meant. He was pleased.
"It means doing something that might be dangerous."
"Sort of. If Alice ventured to do something, it means that she did it even though she didn't know what was going to happen. She took a risk."
Mr. Wolf cursed loudly. Claudia looked shocked. He was red in the face.
"Look, Mr Wolf, you seem a little flustered there. First of all you got a little riled up when you got confused about whether it's a mark or a seal. I mean, it all means the same thing right?" said Thomas getting up.
"No officer, it's not the same at all. A mark and a seal are extremely different. And it is a mark, the Mark of Samael. I know that it's mark and not a seal. As you can understand this is very embarrassing for me. I would appreciate if you would refrain from telling your colleagues about my mistake." murmured Mr. Wolf.
"Of course," replied Thomas, grinning, "I wouldn't want my colleagues to think that my notes aren't based on fact."
"Do you have the word seal written in your notebook already?"
Thomas nodded.
"Can you tear it out?"
"Mr. Wolf. I can't tamper with my notes, I'm sorry."
"Oh dear...how humiliating. We shall continue through these sheets that I have prepared, ignoring my error."
"I was actually more concerned at your reaction when the name Alessa came out of your mouth. It seemed like, maybe, it was unintentional.
For a second I'm wondering who this Alessa is that could get such a word out of your mouth in front of these children. You always seem like a pretty unflappable guy…you're an educator, used to minding your language…
Then it hits me; Alessa Gillespie. The girl that died in the big resort fire…she studied here sometimes, right? Right up until she died, I believe?
So if there's something on your mind Mr. Wolf, something maybe your colleagues wouldn't want you to share…"
"Officer Gucci, you seem to be jumping to some wild conclusions based on the most circumstantial of evidence." Mr Wolf looked calmer now.
"We can always discuss it back at the station if you'd feel more comfortable."
"There is nothing to discuss. I was annoyed at my professional mistake as you said and, distracted, I mentioned a former pupil's name. It was the straw that broke the camel's back, as they say."
"I'm going to have to bring this up with my superiors."
"You must do as you deem necessary. Now may we finish our discussion about the mark in the schoolyard?"
They sat down again and began to look at Mr. Wolf's papers. Claudia wasn't reading, she was still watching them.
"Claudia would you make us some tea? Would you like some tea officer?"
Claudia went stiff.
"No thank you Mr. Wolf, I'm fine."
"Nonsense, I insist...My special blend Claudia. You know where it is." he said without looking at her.
She shifted slowly and disappeared into the kitchen. Andy wasn't interested in the grown ups conversation anymore. It wasn't about Cheryl or even Mr. Mason. He went back to the book. Without Claudia he could read more slowly. He went back to where they left off before Fat Pat had interrupted them:
'She generally gave herself very good advice (though she very seldom followed it), and sometimes she scolded herself so severely as to bring tears into her eyes; and once she remembered trying to box her own ears for having cheated herself in a game of croquet she was playing against herself, for this curious child was very fond of pretending to be two people.'