In fact, it’s because of little Catalina really that my thoughts started down this path. I’ve kept in touch with the kids from California who all ended up at my old alma mater as well, so maybe it’s providence.
They were more than willing to get on board with what I have in mind and I’m more than ready to use their resources, especially that Track, fucking kid is light years ahead when it comes to technology. If I can get him and Catalina working together we can cut through a lot of the bullshit we have to deal with and free me up to do what I do best.
I haven’t told the others about my grand scheme as yet, there are still some kinks to work out, but I foresee a brilliant future for all involved. I’d been surprised when Catalina called and asked me for a ‘favor’, her word.
I listened to her like I always do and promised to look into it. That’s why it had taken me a couple of days to make the call. I had to know what I was dealing with. I figured if the kid was no good Lyon would’ve disappeared him in one way or another by now.
But the fact that the kid has hung in there for four years says a lot. I’d gone back to the time before he left the town where Lyon still lives, dug into his life and his parents’ in the last two and a half years and I like what I see.
The kid hadn’t gone to his senior prom when he had more than enough offers, because Lyon wouldn’t let his daughter travel out of state to attend. He’d spent the night on Facetime with her instead. For a teen to be that loyal and have such staying power is something you don’t see everyday.
When I looked into his life on campus he only looked better. Straight A student who keeps to himself, humble, nice personality, and not one to take any of the offers he’s been given from the female student body. Guy is a rock!
In the end that was the cincher for me. After all I wasn’t about to get involved with this guy if he was doing Lyon’s kid dirty. But everything I’ve learned tells me that the kid is my kind of people. I was his age when I started working undercover and since Catalina seems to think he needs me, why not? One more kid to add to my cache.
Now to get him on the same team as the others. I know Saunders is a pain in the ass, very cliquish when it comes to his posse. Getting his hardheaded ass to let an outsider in is going to take some finessing on my part.
I sat at my desk for another hour formulating a plan in my head before my wife hunted me down and dragged me off to dinner. Pregnancy has turned her into an eating machine, and apparently I’m supposed to eat every time she does.
I watched my delicate flower polish off a twelve ounce porter house steak with baby potatoes and blanched asparagus spears before hitting the molten lava chocolate cake. “You want some of mine?” I nudged the plate with the tiramisu towards her and her eyes glazed over with greed as she rubbed her newly showing pregnant tummy.
“Hank, I’m not a pig, where do you expect me to put all that?” This as she dug her spoon into my shit. “Ummm, this is so good.” I raised my hand for the waiter who came running as if he’d been waiting in the wings. It’s always like this when we come to my club; they bend over backwards to please my wife because they know anything less is grounds for termination.
“Sir?”
“Wrap up a tiramisu to go will you?” I passed him two hundred dollar bills which was his tip as my wife grinned across the table at me; I know her so well.
“Hank, you shouldn’t have, I’m not going to be able to eat it tonight and by tomorrow it might not taste the same.”
I just smiled encouragingly because I was pretty sure the dessert wouldn’t make it out of the car, if it made it out of the elevator down. She sat back after making her way through half of mine, her eyes still looking at what was left.
I cut into it with my fork and raised it to her lips, holding back my laugh as she cleaned the tines of any remnants of the sweet concoction. “Don’t give me any more Hank or I’ll gain ten pounds from this one meal.”
“It looks good on you, plus remember what mom said, you’re too thin as it is.” Mom has been doing her best to fatten my girl up, something about her hips being too narrow. Everyday she has some new thing that’s just what Cierra needs to ensure a smooth and healthy pregnancy.