Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 69129 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69129 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
“Bhett.”
“What are you doing here?” I casually question at the same time I step away from the closing doors. “I thought you had lunch plans with Jean.”
“I did.” He fights against his tightening expression. “Unfortunately, one of her coworkers called in sick today, so she has to cover. Normally, it wouldn’t be such a crucial matter, but they’re expecting a preschool field trip today; therefore, it’s an all hands in situation.”
“Aw,” innocently leaves me. “I bet that’ll be fun. Wy loves whenever they visit the library at his academy.”
“I can imagine given how excited he is after you go book shopping.” Unmistakable warmth floods his gaze as he asks, “And how is his travel session with his grandparents going?”
“He’s happy. We look forward to joining him soon.”
“Jean loves hearing stories about him. I think she wants us to adopt once we’re wed.”
Is that why she’s been trying to kidnap my kid?!
To raise him as theirs?!
Does she have some sort of delusional baby crazy syndrome where she thinks this child she’s heard about should be with her instead of me?
I mean...that would explain trying to get me out of the way to make him hers!
Holmes clears his throat to indicate we need to be moving along, forcing me to banish the fleet of thoughts.
“I’m sure you’d make a great dad.” My chin tips towards the door. “We need to get going though. Gotta swing by Loca Mocha to grab an afternoon pick me up.”
“Have a lovely day, Bryn.” He prepares to move over to the next elevator. “And good luck with inspecting the new exhibit coming in from K&T today. It’s a major responsibility, I know you’re excited to have. Can’t wait to hear all about it.”
One final three finger wave is followed by us hustling out of the space for the business I mentioned.
Holmes communicates in his earpiece a code that indicates we may have our assailant yet agrees to proceed with the plan to verify it.
If it is her, we can abort the next part of the mission.
We can directly grab her wherever we see her and move onto the next step, ultimately forgoing the live dangling situation we’re headed into and go straight into interrogation.
About a block away from our building, we enter the coffee shop where I’m instantly welcomed in by Pepper. “Bryn, Bryn!”
“Pep!” I joyfully exclaim in return. “What are you doing here this late in the day? You rarely work doubles.”
“Someone called out at the hospital, so Michelle picked up the extra hours.” His goofy, boyish pale face falls. “We could use the extra cash. Rents going up again and our car needs its radiator replaced and I need new tap shoes for a musical callback next week.”
Could it be her?
Could she be trying to kidnap our kid for ransom money?
Is getting me injured only being done to make grabbing him for cash easier?!
“Feel free to tip me – personally – extra.” He winks, fingers typing across the screen. “I could definitely use it.” There’s no delay in him continuing to talk. “Extra, extra hot and extra, extra, extra sweet, salted caramel latte – double cupped – coming right up.”
“How’d you know I’d want it extra hot?”
“Yesterday, you mentioned inspecting that private exhibit from K&T alone. And when you do work shit alone, you tend to get either really nervous or really focused, which has your coffee getting cold, but because you’re too lazy to go reheat it, you just drink it whatever temp it is, which is always warmer when you’ve gotten it extra hot to start.”
“Huh,” is grunted in pure intrigue. “You really do know me.”
“I do,” he happily hums and shifts his attention to my security details. “Want anything Holmes?”
The man at my side swiftly denies the offering.
It doesn’t take long for me to pay or my drink to be made or for us to wander outside to where Park is waiting in the SUV, he’s personally been monitoring at the estate all night.
We inform him of the new information we were given and continue onward, original plan still in motion.
Positioning like we practiced over via chat – repeatedly – this week is effortlessly executed.
Behind a roped off section that contains the tanks of smaller creatures, I pretend to grow impatient, waiting for an aquatic delivery I know that’s never coming. Periodically rotating my hold on the cup from hand to hand – to avoid burning myself – helps pass the time as does humming “Shout at the Devil” by Mötley Crüe.
Wes is such an interesting man.
Comic book nerd that has an undeniable love for 80s hair metal bands and cotton candy flavored treats.
I get the feeling those things come from his parents; however, I know Wy having similar loves definitely comes from him.
“What are these things?” Holmes thumps his index finger on the glass of an outer wall tank. “Why are they see through?”