Read Galin for Free Online Page B

for the change of subject, agreed to it. “You may want to hear what it is
first. I don’t know if you will like me much for my request.”
    “I shall do whatever it takes to get the boy
the help he needs. Tell me what you need of me and I’ll do it.” Michael nodded
and ran his finger along the scar on Kip’s leg. Instead of the large handprint
that had been there, now it was only a small mark. Galin knew that Michael,
even as strong as he was, couldn’t remove it completely.
    “I want you to go and spend some time with
Dusty. Not a great deal, mind you, but you need to know what she is up to as
well if you are to help the boy. Right now you are only hearing all that she
has done to him from the young man. But not what she has done for him that he
is not aware of. It might help you.” Galin had thought that too. But in order
for him to spend time with the aunt, he’d have to leave Kip unattended. Not something
he wanted to do in light of recent events. “I shall watch him for a few hours.
And I believe Riss has asked to help as well.”
    “I don’t think it will help matters much. She
has her own protector.” Galin looked at Kip again as he continued. “I fear for
him. I should have been here for him but I was not. Now he will bear this mark
until something is done about Markum.”
    Michael sat down on the bed and stared at him.
Galin knew he was telling him to get lost, a phrase that his last charge had
said a great deal. But he was loath to do so. To leave would mean that he
wasn’t able to protect Kip again. But Michael nodded to the door and Galin
stood up. He moved to the door to slip out of the room when he looked back at
Michael.
    “You will call me if he needs me?” Michael
said he would. “I don’t want to leave him. I have grown quite fond of him in
the past few days. He has suffered a great deal for someone so young.”
    “So has his aunt.” Galin didn’t want to believe
that and wasn’t sure why. His negative feelings for this unknown woman had him feeling
guilty more than he’d ever been. “You will spend the day with her and come back
tonight. I have some free time and if I do not, I will call for Riss or Agon. Each
of them will watch him as you would.”
    Galin knew that in his mind but not his
heart. He wanted to stay but knew that arguing would not get him anywhere with
Michael. Galin moved out of the room and into the hall, where he saw her. Dusty
McGee was not what he had expected.
    He’d already figured out she was younger than
most aunts he’d encountered lately. But to his thinking she’d still be older
than she looked to be right now. With her sweatpants on and her tee shirt
rolled up at the sleeves, she looked to be about sixteen. He thought if she let
her pony tail down it might add a few years but not much.
    She is twenty-seven. Younger than her sister
was by eight years. He didn’t say anything to Boss when He spoke to him. This is a good thing that
you are doing. You should know the person who cares so lovingly for your
charge. Dusty is a good woman.
    He doesn’t like her much. Boss said nothing so
Galin continued. He doesn’t seem to think she gives him all that he needs. And
there are things from his past that she wouldn’t let him keep.
    There are many things you are not aware of,
Galin. Nor is the child. Dusty did what she could to get his things for him,
but the courts said that she had to leave them. They are to be sold at auction so the
people that Rose owed money to may recoup some of their losses . Boss
appeared to him just as he followed Dusty to the kitchen . She has paid what
she could, but there simply was too much money owed to a great many people. Then
there are the hospital bills, the funeral arrangements, the cost to bring young
Kipling here, the clothing he now has. Things are mounting up for the young
woman. And she bears this all on her own, not wanting to tarnish his idea of
his mother. Even now she has someone going to the sale to get what she