Fixing Perfect by Therese M. Travis Page B

other guy’s gaze, and let the challenge shine clear in his own.
    “Oh, not at all. They want to protect their kids. It’s just—what harm can a few pictures do? Or a slice of pizza, you know? It’s not like anyone can get to a kid here.” He shook his head and mumbled something about parents being overprotective. “We’re all here. How’s he gonna get to the kid?”
    “You never know. It could happen in the bathroom, in five minutes. Destroy a kid’s life forever.” Sam felt glued to the spot, unwilling to leave Robin and Kerry to this guy, even for the short time it would take to fetch their drinks.
    “What, kidnapping? They’d have to get them out—”
    “I’m talking about molestation. Isn’t that why monsters kidnap kids and kill them after?”
    Donovan stared at him, his mouth hanging open before shaking his head. “Yeah. I was just talking about kidnapping.”
    “It’s all related.” Sam moved so the server could put the hot pan on the trivet in the center of the table.
    Danny, maybe sensing his tension, brought over a pitcher of soda and a stack of cups and plastic lids. He leaned close to Sam’s shoulder. “Tone it down, boy. I don’t want you starting something in front of the team.”
    “Right.” But the word had to fight past his clenched jaw. Sam pointed at the pizza in the middle of the table and motioned to Donovan. “After you.”
    “Thanks.” Donovan slid two pieces onto his paper plate.
    Sam gave both Kerry and Robin a slice.
    “Mmm, pepp’roni. My favorite.” Kerry took a huge bite, gasping as the hot cheese hit his tongue.
    Sam held his soda for him before he filled his own plate.
    “Not every kidnapper wants to have—” Donovan stopped, his eyes going to Kerry’s face. His own reddened. “They’re not all pedophiles. And this guy, he’s not even after kids, anyway.”
    “Are you kidding?” Sam gripped the edge of the table. “You can’t be serious. He went after two little girls. No one can find Becca. Why else would—”
    “Hey, guys, not here, OK?” Robin put her hand on top of Sam’s. He turned his palm up and grasped her fingers.
    “Sorry. Inappropriate, I know.”
    “Very. And we’ve already been over this once.” Robin motioned for another slice and Sam served her. “Thanks. Tell me about the pictures you took at today’s game, Donovan. What are you going to do with them?”
    Sam turned to see what Donovan would answer.
    The other man’s jaw bunched over clenched teeth and his eyes narrowed. “Look, I hate pedophiles. Jerks that prey on kids for that—they’re sick, they deserve to be put to death. I think that should be the law.” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “They ought to be obliterated off the face of the earth. Just put all of them into one of those Nazi ovens and—”
    “Donovan. Cool it.” Coach Danny dropped his hand onto Donovan’s shoulder and shot Sam a look. “We understand your passion but this isn’t the place to air it.”
    “Yeah.” Donovan closed his eyes and bent his head. “Yeah, you’re right. Sorry.”
    Danny’s fingers tightened so Donovan’s t-shirt bunched in wrinkles underneath. “Tell me. You helping in the search for that girl? I know Sam’s been out with the search every day since Kaitlyn disappeared.”
    Donovan looked up. “The first day. I was there when Sam pulled the little kid out of that warehouse.”
    Sam didn’t remember him. But then, there’d been hundreds of people the first day.
    Danny let his hand fall. “They still need volunteers. People have lives; they need to get back to their jobs. Why don’t you go and see what you can do to help?”
    “Yeah, that’s a good idea.” Donovan slugged back the rest of his soda and stumbled to the door.
    Danny watched him go, his shoulders twitching. “He’s a good guy, but he needs to put a lock on his mouth.”
    After a short, tense silence, Robin turned to Kerry. “Hey, buddy, here’s a couple quarters. Go play some