Snake Boy

~ Chapter Twenty-One ~

In that moment, Logan seriously debated running. Dad didn't get angry easily, so the fact that he was upset enough to yell meant very bad things.

He stayed in the kitchen, frozen, as he heard his father coming down the hall. Dorrian disappeared into the hallway and the basement door closed after a moment.

"What did I tell you?" Dad demanded as he marched into the room, holding a fistful of papers at his side.

Play dumb?

"I'm not sure what you're talking about." Logan tried.

His dad's eyes flashed with anger.

Bad play.

"You are a very intelligent young man, Logan, you know d*mn well what I am talking about!"

"Remy, sweetheart, please calm down." Pop leaned against the doorway. "What's going on?"

Dad made a gesture towards Pop, not looking away from Logan. "Tell him what you did."

Logan swallowed nervously, then stood up straighter. There was no way he was getting away with playing it off, and he should be proud of his work. It had taken him a lot of work to put that together, and he had done it well.

"I sent the Grangeville police my findings, in the hope that they would be able to deal with whatever sick plastic surgeon treated Dorrian the way they did." He crossed his arms. "I want to make sure they are found and punished, and if they can confirm it they can shut the circus down wherever it is right now."

"And you used your own name." Dad slapped the papers down on the counter. "What did I tell you? People have gone missing while working on this case, Logan, you're an 18-year old boy! Grown adults have disappeared!"

"I've also gotten much farther than anyone else has on this case in almost 15 years!" Logan pointed out. "I have names, I have proof! You always told me I should never underestimate my worth so why shouldn't I show off to this task force that I know what I'm talking about!"

"Because now the police have a reason to be irritated with you just as much as those involved!" Dad growled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "There are plenty of police officers who are perfectly willing to do something stupid because a teenager bested them and now I have orders to bring you into the station next week because a member of the Grangeville Police Special Task Force wants to speak with you!"

Oh. Logan deflated a little bit. "They want to talk to me?"

"Yes." Dad sighed. "Captain Vanessa Blanche will be coming out next week Wednesday, and she's sent paperwork ahead to make sure you are in the station. I don't think they knew you were the son of a police officer but they will on Wednesday."

Logan filed the name away for later, then glanced at the paperwork. "It doesn't say anything about why she wants to talk? And she wants to see me in a police station? I think I'll be okay."

"Don't get cocky, you're grounded. You're very grounded. And so is Dorrian."

Logan looked up again. "You can't ground Dorrian, he doesn't leave the house anyway!"

"I can ground him from you." Dad picked up the paperwork again. "He'll be sleeping in the guest room for the next month."

"Dad!"

"No exceptions, Logan. Since Dorrian seems to be the only thing you care about right now, he's not allowed in your room for the next month. You will not be hanging out unless your father or I am around to monitor you."

Logan groaned and opened the fridge again. "Now I'm regretting the suggestion to make pizzas for dinner."

There was a light swat of paper across the back of his head and he smiled a little bit, getting out the next ingredient he had been looking for. "Guess it also means I'm not allowed to go grocery shopping for what we're missing."

"Oh no, you're going grocery shopping with me." Dad turned to head out of the room. "Because I know you hate grocery shopping. Especially with me."

"I don't hate grocery shopping with you." Logan protested, but his dad was already gone. He sighed.

"Your dad's right about a lot of this, sweetheart." Pop said quietly. "You're very smart, and I know you're good at what you like to do, but you have to be careful when dealing with situations like this. It's a cold case, you could very easily become a target."

"I know. I just needed to know that no one else would go through what Dorrian has." Logan turned around.

"That's very brave of you." Pop nodded, giving him a gentle hug. "If this clears everything up, I'll call the school and see if I can start a discussion with someone about getting him enrolled."

"Thanks, Pop." Logan smiled. "He really wants to, and I just want him to be happy."

Pop laughed. "I can tell. If that hickey forming is any indication, so can your dad."

Logan flushed and grabbed the back of his neck, knowing exactly what spot was being discussed. He could feel his ears heating up from blushing so badly.

His pop ruffled his hair and left the room as well. Logan sighed and leaned against the counter for a minute.

"It was worth it, right?"

"I think so." A smooth, lisping voice said quietly from the doorway. Logan turned around and smiled weakly at Dorrian.

"Glad someone believes in me."

"Your parents do too. They're just worried about you." Dorrian walked over and took his hands. "Thank you."

Logan's smile widened. "Of course... you know I love hearing you talk."

"Don't get used to it, I can barely manage a five minute conversation."

"Nonsense, mon bijou, you're a wonderful conversationalist."

Dorrian rolled his eyes, a smile flickering across his lips. "Liar."

"I am not." Logan snorted and turned, checking the pantry cabinet. "I am being perfectly honest."

"You're a lot of perfect things."

Dorrian was leaning against the counter and eyeing him when Logan turned around. He smirked, but shook his head. "Don't start that. We're grounded."