Chapter 46

The media blew the entire incident completely out of proportion. An outside newspaper claimed that one of the Thomas boys were responsible for a bomb that was hidden in a bag and dropped in the foyer when they had walked in. The towns folk read the articles, shook their heads, laughed at the ridiculousness of it all and used the newspaper as a rug for their animals to poop on.

With half the precinct out with injuries Mayor McCummins was forced to get officers in from other towns. Buttershire was welcoming, but the new officers were wary. Jerry was taken off desk duty and placed back on the street with two other officers to show them around town.

James went back to school the second day after the explosion. Some kids kept their distance, too scared to ask, even the kids that used to bully him kept their distance.

His homeroom teacher welcomed him back to class, enquired after his health and wished his brothers a speedy recovery. After that, she simply let him be.

“Hey.” Rodney finally