I stared at the boy, wide-eyed, a forkful of pancakes held hallway between my plate and mouth. "You don't say."
"Noah is very interested in the weather," Olivia explained. "He has a weather-band radio up in his room."
"Can I watch the tow truck when it comes Mom? Noah asked, suddenly sounding his age again. "Please ?" he wheedled.
"We'll see," Oliviareplied.
"I bet they'Il send a flatbed," Noah said with anticipation.
"They'd better send a tugboat," I replied glumly as I glanced out the window. I dabbed at my mouth with a napkin. "Great pancakes, by the way," I added to Olivia.
"Thanks," she replied.
"I bet Will can eat a dozen of these, " I said with a challenging look at Olivia. "He always had a thing for blueberry pancakes."
"Noah's face brightened.Do you know my uncle Will?"
"Don't be silly, Noah," Olivia nervously, "How could he know Uncle Will? He means someone else."she glanced back at me and felt her nervousness. It was too late, The damage had been done. tense, alert expression was that of a lion who had just caught the scent of his prey.
"You have an uncle Will, do you?" Iasked Noah in a light, conversational tone."That's funny I have a brother with the same name."
"What a coincidence, Olivia said, interrupting, I knew most have felt a sinking sensation in her stomach. The way she react. "More pancakes anyone? Bacon? Orange juice," ash asked .
"I'll have another pancake, please," Noah said. I glared at her. And turned my attention back to my breakfast, obviously debating the ethics of prodding her son for information.
"When you're done with your breakfast, I want you to go straight upstairs and...clean up your room," Olivia said firmly to Noah.
"But my room is totally neat," Noah protested. "You made me pick up yesterday, Mom, before l got my allowance. Don't you remember?"
"How about that hamster cage? Olivia Persisted. "I think Harry needs his cage cleaned."
But, Mom..." Noah complained as he swallowed the last of his breakfast.
"Don't argue with your mother, son," I said firmly.
My deep, commanding voice surprised both Olivia and Noah. They both stared over at me. Olivia didn't know whether to thank him-or tell me I had no right to interfere with her parenting. Noah glanced over at me. then seemed resigned to obeying. "Okay, okay."" He got up from his chair and took his plate to the sink. "I guess Harry's cage could use a clean-up."
I saw relieved look on her face as she watched her son left the kitchen. As if she'd averted a near disaster. But the feeling of impending doom was on her again when I suddenly rose from my chair with a warm smile. "Hey, Noah. I'd love to see you room," I said brightly. "Can I help with the hamster?"
"Uh...sure," Noah replied. He glanced at Olivia as if checking for her approval, but Olivia was too shocked to object.
So I interpreted her momentary silence as an okay. "Harry is unique, Brian. "He only has three legs, but it doesn't bother him any. He runs on his wheel and everything I also have a hermit crab and a newt, he saidbproudly.
"You don't say?" I replied.
"Uncle Will says the next time he comes, he's going to bring me real rat. A white one.
"A white rat, eh? I leaned back in his chair, clearly fascinated by this turm in the conversation. "Now, whatever made your uncle think of bringing you a rat for a pet?"
He's a scientist. An ornithologist. That means he studies birds. He specializes in birds that live near the ocean, Noah explained. "But they use white rats a lot at the university where he teaches. In thee laboratory...for experiments and stuff."
"Oh, your uncle is an ornithologist, I repeated quietly, Very impressive. And there's another coincidence. My brother Will is a marine ornithologist, too." My tone brought to mind the rumble of distant thunder, But Noah didn't seem to notice and prattled on.
"Aunt Faith says once she had a white rat as a pet, and Mommy thought the tail was creepy. She screamed every time my aunt brought it anywhere near her."
"Aunt Faith? My voice rose on a puzzled note and look at Olivia, then back to Noah "Who is Aunt?" Faith? I asked patiently.
"My mom's sister,' Noah replied, as if everyone knew that. She and Uncle Will stayed here for a few weeks, then they left to get ma......."
"Brian? Oliviacut in. I think we need to talk for a moment. Before you check out Noah's menagerie, I mean."
"If you say so, Olivia," he replied. I turned to her, and she could see that I knew she was ready to tell all. I practically rubbed his hands together in anticipation, she noticed. But before I moved in for the kill, I thoughtfully turned to Noah. "Why don't you start on Harry's cage? I'll be up in minute I promise as I reached out and ruffled Noah's dirty-blond hair.
"Okay,Noah agreed, giving me a solemn look I'll l get everyone ready,"
I turned to her. "So, are you ready to tell me about Uncle Will...and Aunt Faith?" asked once Noah had left the room.
"Pretty low-down of you to try to pry it out of my child," Oliviav accused me.
For a moment I looked ashamed of myself. Practically contrite. Then the look vanished, replaced by more familiar expression of firm determination.
"I merely wish to know where my brother is hiding out. I'l do whatever I have to, to find out."
"I've already told you, Brian, I have no idea where Will is. He was here for a while, that much is true. But they purposely didn't tell me where they were going when they left. Now you'll just have to believe me and be on your merry way. Olivia rattled off in a rush.
"Just slow down a moment, please. I signaled with upraised hands. "Faith is your sister, correct?"
She nodded and bit her lower lip.