Chapter 5

A Chapter by mamachansensei

   Ben yawned and stumbled out of bed. He walked into the kitchen. “What’s this?”
   Conrad placed a plate on the table. “It’s an emu egg omelet. Eat. I’ll take you to school.”
   Ben sat in the chair next to the omelet. “Cereal is okay. You don’t have to go to this much trouble.”
   “I’d go to this much trouble for myself anyway. What do you want for lunch? A Bento?”
   “A What?”
   “Okay how about a sandwich?”
   “Fine.”
   “Emu and cheese?”
   “Emu no cheese.”
   “Butter or mayonnaise?”
   “Ketchup”
   Conrad assembled the sandwich, cut off the crusts, sliced it into quarters, and placed it into a divided box. In the other compartments he placed baby carrots and apple chunks. He placed the box into a black bag with drawstrings. “Here’s your lunch.”
   Ben stared at Conrad as he sat down and took a sip of his coffee. “Aren’t you going to eat an omelet?”
   “I’ve already eaten. When we get to your school…. Ben, do you want to go to school? I could hire a private master.”
   “All my friends are at my school!”
   “So be it. When we get to your school, take me to the office. After I’ve introduced myself to the principal you can go to class.”
   Ben rode to school on the back of Conrad’s scooter. Students stopped and looked as they landed in the parking lot. They watched as man and boy stepped off the scooter and removed their helmets.
   “Is that Ben?”
   “Who’s that hot guy he’s with?”
   They walked into the building under the stares of every female present. The principal saw them approaching the building. She was waiting for them when they arrived at the office.   “Hello, I’m Katherine Dinker, the principal of this school.”
   Conrad handed her a pinky fingernail size flash drive. “I’m Conrad McCabe, Mr. Danube’s new guardian. That is a copy of my safe house certificate, my Private Investigators License and my firearm permits.”
   “There’s no birth certificate.”
   “I didn’t think it was necessary.”
   “Neither are the License and permits.”
   “Those are in case I have to pick Ben up while still armed.” Conrad placed a hand on Ben’s shoulder. “You should go to class. Teachers prefer if you’re on time.”
   “Yes do go Benjamin, Mr. Wolf will be pleased you graced them with your presence.” Ben left the office.
   Conrad turned to the principal. “I need a copy of Ben’s schedule, a time schedule for each class, and a copy of his last report card.”
   The principal arched an eyebrow then nodded. Conrad held out his hand for his flash drive. Principal Dinker placed the flash drive into his hand lingering there a moment. She wrapped her hand behind his and closed his fist around the flash drive. “Have a good day Mr. McCabe.”
   “Have a wonderful day Ms. Dinker.” Conrad gently disengaged his hand and left the building.
   Conrad was putting on his helmet when Dana landed his cruiser next to him. “Hey Connie, hand to hand combat at the station in an hour?”   Conrad nodded.

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