The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden(4)
Hannah has called shotgun, which is unfortunate, because it means that she’s going to be controlling the music in the car. She’s very much partial to music from young men who don’t look like they’re capable of growing facial hair yet.
“Can we please listen to something different?” Liam complains about two minutes into the drive. I have to agree. “Anything else?”
“You know,” Hannah says, “Justin Bieber is an incredibly talented singer.”
“Oh, is he?”
“Yes, he is!” She adjusts her messy ponytail. “He has a phenomenal vocal range.”
Liam smirks. “Sure. That’s what you like about him. His vocal range.”
“So I think he’s cute. So what? It’s not like you’re interested in Olivia for her intelligence.”
Olivia? Who is Olivia? I glance in the rearview mirror just in time to see Liam’s entire face turn red. He has become incredibly skilled at masking his reactions to things, but he couldn’t hide it this time. But when I look away for a moment and check the mirror again, he’s regained his composure.
The car skids to a halt at a red light. “Who is Olivia?” I say as casually as I can manage.
Liam looks out the window. “Nobody. Just a girl.”
But thank God Hannah is in the car with us. “Just a girl?” She snorts. “Liam is totally in love with her.”
He laughs. “No, I’m not.”
“Oh my God, you so are. Don’t even deny it.” Hannah gives me a look, like I’m her new confidante. “You should see the way he looks at her. He’s totally into her.”
“Whatever.”
I glance in the rearview mirror one more time to look at my son. Liam is the most composed sixteen-year-old kid I’ve ever known. That’s why he’s so good at debate, in addition to his natural intelligence and his diligent preparation. He never loses his cool. He never lets anyone know what he’s thinking. But I’ve known him long enough that I can usually tell. Usually.
I’m really glad I’m going to this debate after school. I wanted to see Liam perform. That was the reason I told him I wanted to come. And I meant it. But now I’ve got a new, more important reason for going.
I’ve got to figure out who Olivia is.
And I’ve got to keep something terrible from happening to her.
Chapter 4
Transcript of police interview with Sharon Anderson:
“Can you tell me how you know Liam Cass?”
“He attended kindergarten at the school where I work as principal.”
“For how long did he attend?”
“About four months.”
“And this was eleven years ago?”
“That’s correct.”
“So you still remember a child who attended your school for four months over a decade ago?”
“Yes. I remember Liam. Very well.”
“And what was your impression of him?”
“At first? He seemed like a great kid. Real cute. Smart—certainly the smartest kid in the grade. I remember he got up during assembly and gave this long speech he memorized. I couldn’t believe a kindergartner could remember all that. I was impressed.”
“How come he only attended the school for four months? Isn’t the school year nine months long?”
“Liam was… expelled.”
“A kindergartner was expelled?”
“It’s unusual. But the circumstances called for it.”
“I see. And why was that?”
“There was an incident.”
“Can you describe the incident to me?”
“Yes…”
“Will you please describe the incident, Mrs. Anderson?”
“It was… there was a girl…”
“Yes…?”
“Well, she and Liam were friends. They often played together at recess, or so his teacher told me later. And then one day during recess, the girl… disappeared.”
“I see. And did they find her?”
“Yes. They did. And she was… fine.”
“Where did they find her?”
“Does this have to do with that girl from the high school? The one who…?”
“I’m afraid we can’t discuss it at this time.”
“Yes. Yes, of course. But do you think Liam is the one who…?”
“Once again, Mrs. Anderson, this is not something I can discuss.”
“Of course. I’m sorry.”
“Now can you tell me where they found this girl?”
“So… the story I was told is that Liam and the little girl were playing janitor. They sneaked away and went to the custodial closet during recess. It seems she was quite infatuated with Liam and he talked her into it.”
“And what happened in the custodial closet?”
“They found a roll of duct tape. And they were playing with it.”
“How were they playing with it?”
“…”
“Mrs. Anderson?”
“I’m sorry. It was just… so shocking. I still can’t get over it. That a kindergartner would…”