Chapter Three
When Clark stepped into the living room, the noise stopped. Every kid in the room turned to look at him. Their eyes were large, filled with the excitement he’d expect to see on Christmas morning.
“Do I need to introduce our guest?” Taylor gestured toward Redhawk.
The kids answered with a loud and resounding, “No!”
Clark walked into the circle of children and summoned his deepest voice. “Where is Louie?”
Amid whispers and shoves, a little boy with chubby cheeks and big blue eyes stepped forward. He was skinny, all knees and elbows. His hair was a mop of black curls. It was easy to see his mother in him.
“You’re Louie?” Clark asked.
The child nodded, his eyes never leaving the Redhawk mask.
“Happy Birthday, Louie.”
“Thank you, sir,” Louie said and stuck out his hand.
“I hear you’re a fan.” Clark took the little hand, and they shook. The kid’s handshake was impressive.
“Yes, sir. These are my friends. They love you, too.”
“I’m pleased to meet all of you.” Keeping up the deep voice wasn’t easy, and his throat felt weird. He knelt to look Louie in the eye. “I brought you a present. Would you like to open it?”
Louie nodded.
Clark handed him the small box.
The boy tore into the wrapping, shredding it so tiny pieces hit the carpet like confetti. When he opened the box, he gasped. “It’s a Redhawk 5000 Altimeter watch. Just like yours!” Louie clutched it in one hand and grabbed Clark’s leg with the other. “I can’t believe I have the real one! Thank you. Thank you. Now I can tell how high I’m flying.”
The watch was solid black with four or five tiny dials inside the main clock. It looked more complicated than the stainless-steel Rolex Submariner on Clark’s dresser at home. That was a trinket, something he’d bought on a whim after receiving a large commission. He only wore it a few times a year. He smiled. Louie would wear his new watch every day. He’d probably sleep in it.
It must’ve cost his mother a fortune.
A fortune his mother doesn’t have.
The Redhawk 5000 probably wasn’t very useful, but that didn’t pale the charms of the watch for the kid.
When the child looked up and Clark saw the admiration and appreciation in his watery blue eyes, his heart did something strange. It flipped over, jumped, something. He’d never really been around children, but this little boy looking up at him like he was the most wonderful person in the world almost made this favor for Taylor worth the rash. Almost.
“Let’s synchronize our watches.” Louie’s voice was high pitched with excitement.
Clark’s wrist was bare. “I had to leave mine behind. It needed, uh, it needed repairs.”
He’d blown his cover. Louie narrowed his eyes and shook his head. Clark felt his heart sink. Not only had he punched the kid’s dad, he’d ruined the birthday party.
Just as Clark opened his mouth to apologize, Louie said, “It’s the Blot again, isn’t it? That lousy, no-good, nasty villain. He’s at it again!”
Clark looked around the room. Every kid was nodding in agreement. He took a deep breath while a wave of relief washed through him.
Clark nodded. “You’re right.” He knelt on the carpet so he was eye level with all the kids. He lowered his voice to a whisper and tried to keep it low and gravelly. “It’s the Blot again.”
“You’re not Redhawk. He wouldn’t have time to come to some stupid birthday party,” a girl in the back said. “You’re just some dude Ms. Bishop hired to dress up and pretend to be Redhawk.” She was taller than the rest of the kids and chewed gum, moving it from side to side while she waited on his answer.
“You’re wise to question my true identity.”
Instead of responding, she cocked her head. Her pigtails belied what Clark knew must be a mind like a steel trap. He couldn’t choke now. She’d sound the alarm immediately.
“I’m Redhawk,” he said. “The real article.” Pigtails stared back at him. “You don’t believe me?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
He rose. “I didn’t want to do this, but I guess it’s the only way.” He tugged on his right sleeve. “I can’t show you the whole thing, and you must promise to never tell anyone what I’m about to reveal. Do I have your solemn vow?”
The kids all inched closer. A chorus of “yes, sirs” filled the dining room.
“Okay. Ma’am?” he said, turning to Taylor. “Can you check all the windows and doors? Make sure no one is listening that shouldn’t be?”
She nodded. “I’ll report back in a second.” She dashed from the room.
“Once we’re sure the place is secure from the Blot and his spies, I’ll show you the tattoo.”
Gasps. Giggles. Boys and girls jumped up and down on the hardwood floors. This was better than Christmas.
Taylor returned. “All clear, sir.” Her eyes twinkled with the conspiracy. He hadn’t seen that look in her eyes since they were kids.
He inched back his sleeve slowly, drawing out the moment. He placed his index finger over the last two numbers and held his arm up so the children could see. “Believe me now?”
Pigtails looked at him in total wonder. “You are real!”