Page 77 of Legal Returns
Miss Lovie has been a great help, reporting back to me on their movements. I trust her; she’s allowing me to handle this without taking control from me to handle it herself. She’s been my outside eyes and ears while I have been keeping my eyes within, making sure I don’t miss any important changes. For now, the focus is on me.
“This is not it,” I say to Uncle Czar and Maldonado as yet another property can be checked off the list.
“We have two more left. As you said, this will be the last night. Do you want to do the others now or take a break for dinner? Your parents are in the city having dinner. Do you want to join them?”
I know Mom and Dad are here. I had Uncle Uri and Auntie Val ask them to join them for dinner. It’s all a part of the plan.
“No, no,” I say quickly. “I have to stay in character; they are watching. If Mo-mo sees how I’ve been behaving, she will show concern and believe something is wrong with me.
“The therapist in her will react, wanting to help me, believing I have started to regress. I don’t want to alarm her, and this has to look natural. They can’t know I’m playing them.
“I need them to see me as weak, an easy target. I have planned it so Mom and Dad arrive just when I want them to. Not a moment before.”
He holds his hands up. “Okay, I get it. We leave LaSalle and Tasha out of it for now.”
“Let’s move to the next one.”
“Are you sure the one you’re looking for exists? I mean, these visions are from when you’re older. It could be a property that’s not available yet.”
“No, Uncle Czar. It exists. I will spend years perfecting it, but it’s available to me now,” I say, getting frustrated.
“Okay, kid. I’m just checking.”
“You’re annoying me. Stick to the plan.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. I frown as I see in my mind’s eye why he’s in such a rush tonight. This will happen this evening and I’ll be able to release him.
“Sorry, I’m not trying to annoy you. Put yourself in my shoes. You haven’t given me much to go on when it comes to this plan of yours or information on what’s about to go down.”
I purse my lips and think his words over. I’m trying to be patient here and understand his position. However, it’s still getting on my nerves.
“If I told you everything, you would not respond in the manner that’s needed and that could compromise your safety and my mission. I have told you everything I need you to know. Now I ask that you trust me.”
He reaches to place a hand on top of my head. “I’m down for whatever you need. As long as I get you home safe in the end.”
“This will be over soon, and I will make it home without a scratch. If you and Maldonado are hungry, we can stop somewhere for a bite to eat.”
“I wouldn’t mind something to put in my stomach,” Maldonado says.
Uncle Czar only grunts in response as he looks down at his phone, something grabbing his attention. I smile when it comes to me what will happen tonight when he gets home.
“Since there are only two left, at least we know you will be able to put the offer in for me in the morning. Tonight, your wife is waiting for you to come home. She has news for you.”
Uncle Czar looks up from his phone at me and lifts a brow. I smile back at him, but I don’t tell him what I mean. She will tell him about their first baby when he gets home.
He will be happy and worried, but he has nothing to worry about. Uncle Czar will make a great father. Everything is going to be fine. I will not allow any of this to touch his family.
“Now you have me curious. Let’s grab something quick to eat and head to these last two. Simon left the keys with the doormen for the last two. You ready to get to it?”
“Yes, I?—”
I’m pushed forward into a vision and my words are cut off. Suddenly, I’m standing in my room with Jess. This is in the near future. She has a picture for me.
I take it from her and notice right away the numbers hidden. Then everything changes. I see the woman with the blue eyes, but there are more details as I look at her. Then I begin to hear the voice in my head.
They are coming. You will not finish this today. Let it go and leave. It’s time.
The present comes back into focus. I look to Uncle Czar, who’s watching me, and nod. This one I understand. I don’t need my notebook.
