"We are terribly sorry for the inconvenience, Mr. Zakhrov,"

  said the IRS agent, a middle-aged woman with a no-nonsense demeanor.

  "Let me guess,

  an anonymous tip-off?" asked Ivan, as he and Annette sat in the

  living room.

  "Not so

  anonymous in our case Mr. Zakhrov, we were able to trace the tip to

  the Clarke estate," said the agent.

  "Senator Sarah

  Clarke? But why? I'm a proud supporter! In fact, I've donated to her

  campaign!" exclaimed Annette.

  "Well, I was

  pulled over by CPS on a tip that I was illegally holding a minor

  against her will, I suppose this is her way of doing a background

  check on me," growled Ivan.

  "Well,

  regardless of her reasons, everything checks out. Your tax records

  are in order, and we have no reason to believe that you are involved

  in any illegal activities," said the agent, standing up.

  "Thank you for

  your time, Mr. Zakhrov. We'll be on our way now," she said,

  shaking Ivan's hand.

  "Thank you for

  your understanding," said Ivan, as the IRS agents left the

  house.

  "Ivan Zakhrov,

  just who is Daisy Eddington that we've had visits from the IRS and

  CPS in one day?" asked Annette, her voice trembling with anger.

  "A victim of

  abuse and bullying, Annette. And somebody who needs our help,"

  said Ivan, his voice firm.

  "I don't like

  what you're implying, Ivan. Are you saying that a state senator who

  is a vocal advocate for women and minority rights is abusing her own

  employees?" asked Annette, her voice rising.

  "All I know is

  that Daisy came to me for help. And I'm not going to turn her away

  until she rescinds her request," said Ivan.

  "Fine, but you

  better know what you're doing, Ivan. I'll not tolerate the

  besmirching of Sarah Clarke," warned Annette.

  ----

  "Wow Aaron, you

  sure pick things up quickly," marveled Daisy staring at the

  bullet holes clustered in the center mass and head of Aaron's target

  paper.

  "Well, I seem

  to do better with this rifle rather than handguns," said Aaron

  holding a Kalashnikov SR-1.

  "Well. I do

  think that rifle suits you better. What do you think? Do I look

  badass with this pistol?" asked Daisy posing with the Sig-Sauer

  P226 Equinox 9 mm pistol she was practicing with.

  "Well yes, you

  look beautiful and dangerous," said Aaron, as Daisy blushed.

  "And I must say

  you look very gangster like with that mean looking rifle," she

  told Aaron.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "Those were

  stationary targets. Let's see how you kids do with moving ones,"

  chuckled Sgt. Rodriguez, the instructor at the shooting range. He had

  been impressed by Aaron's and Daisy's aptitude.

  "All right Mr.

  Rodriguez we're ready," said Aaron, taking aim with his rifle.

  Rodriguez activated

  the skeet shooting machine, and Daisy and Aaron took turns in trying

  to shoot the ceramic discs down.

  Daisy braced herself

  and fired her 9 mm pistol shooting down the discs one after another.

  She missed a few, but still managed to get an impressive score.

  Aaron racked up an

  impressive score as well, even taking into account the semi-automatic

  and anti-recoil features of his rifle.

  "Very good. You

  both have excellent aim," said Sgt. Rodriguez.

  Daisy beamed with

  pleasure at Sgt. Rodriguez's praise. "Thank you sir," she

  said.

  "Well I must

  admit I was reluctant to bring you two here, but it looks like you

  both know how to handle guns responsibly," said Ivan.

  "Mr. Zakhrov,

  can I speak to you for a moment?" asked Sgt. Rodriguez,

  beckoning Ivan aside.

  "Of course,

  Sergeant," said Ivan, following him to a quieter corner of the

  shooting range.

  "I'm frankly a

  little worried about Aaron. He's excellent with that rifle, and I

  don't think it's just because of the anti-recoil features," said

  Sgt. Rodriguez.

  "Don't worry,

  Sergeant. I don't have any guns in my house, and I don't plan to get

  any." said Ivan firmly.

  "That's good to

  hear. I just wanted to make sure that you were aware of the potential

  risks. I did a couple of tours in Syria, and I've seen child

  soldiers. The scary part is Aaron's way better than they were,"

  said Sgt. Rodriguez, his voice low.

  "I understand,

  Sergeant. I will keep a close eye on him," said Ivan, his voice

  serious.

  "Good. I don't

  want to scare you, but just be safe and careful," said Sgt.

  Rodriguez, clapping Ivan on the shoulder.

  ----

  "So Natasha, do

  you have anything to report?" asked Sarah Clarke.

  "It appears

  that the rumors about Aaron Zakhrov and his family are just that.

  Rumors. From my investigations he is a normal, albeit socially

  awkward boy." said Natasha.

  Sarah's mouth

  twitched in annoyance. "And his newly acquired marksmanship and

  driving skills are not a cause for concern?" she asked.

  Natasha remained

  calm. She knew Sarah had a backup PI tailing her to make sure she

  couldn't hide information. "No they are not. He is still a minor

  and cannot obtain access to firearms or vehicles without parental

  consent. His parents are both cautious and strictly control the

  access to such activities," she said.

  "I see, and my

  Emily's claims -" began Sarah, but Natasha coldly cut her off.

  "Emily's claims

  come from a place of envy. Daisy is not being abused or exploited, in

  fact she is well cared for and has achieved remarkable growth over

  the winter break." said Natasha, her voice firm.

  Sarah's eyes

  narrowed dangerously. "Very well, continue to investigate,"

  she snapped, tossing Natasha an envelope full of cash.

  Natasha picked up

  the envelope, nodded and left the office.

  ----

  "The award for

  best improving student in the 9th grade goes to Daisy Eddington!"

  announced Vice Principal Catherine Davis, to polite applause in the

  cavernous auditorium of St. Ignatius Academy.

  Daisy walked

  confidently up to the dais and gratefully accepted the shining gold

  medal and rolled up certificate.

  "Congratulations

  my dear you've earned it" said Catherine in a low voice as Daisy

  politely curtsied and left the stage.

  Unbeknownst to

  Catherine and Daisy, Sarah Clarke was looking at Daisy with a very

  ugly expression, and her fists clenched.

  ----

  Michael Eddington

  lay quivering on the cold concrete floor of a basement. His naked

  body covered with welts and bruises. Sarah Clarke stood over him with

  a thick, mean-looking leather bullwhip in her hands. "Let this

  be a lesson to you. My Emily does not get upstaged by the daughter of

  a filthy limey servant! Know your place!" she spat in cold fury,

  unleashing another barrage of lashes on him. Michael's screams of

  agony echoed futilely around the concrete basement.

  After what seemed

  like an eternity, Sarah finally got tired of whipping him and left

  him bleeding and quivering on the floor.

  Michael painfully

  staggered to his feet and stumbled for the basement door.

  "Need to get

  out of here," he panted, fumbling for the latch.