Page 73 of Perfection

“I need to make a quick stop by my place first then we’ll head to a safe house,” he said.

She gave a nod and looked at the window.

York lived in Lincoln Park on the opposite side of town, but it didn’t take long to get there when winging above the skyscrapers. Unlike her home, his was a sprawling, old-fashioned single residence constructed of brick. The garage door rolled upward on the street side upon their approach and then trundled down behind them.

Kindra listened to the banter between Brianna and York. It was so sweet the way he interacted with her.

“Oh, boss!” Brianna exclaimed.

He peered at Kindra. “She’s two?”

She shrugged. “With an extremely advanced grasp of language.”

He shook his head. Once everyone was ready to go inside the house, he hesitated. His mouth turned hard, then eased into a lopsided grin. “My place is as different from yours as California is from New York City.” He straightened. “You may come right in or wait here while I clear a few things.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Kindra said. “I appreciate how you are looking after us.”

He chuckled. “Remember that when you get inside.”

Brianna tugged her mother down to say something in her ear. “I have to go the bathroom,” she whispered.

York met Kindra’s eyes over the girl’s head. “Okay. You’ve been warned.”

He opened the door and allowed them to enter before him. As the lights automatically brightened, Kindra’s chin dropped to her chest. Air rushed into her mouth as she inhaled. “Oh my. Where did you get all this…stuff?” Her gaze swept from corner to corner, up and down. Every wall, table, desk, shelf, and decorative stand was occupied by something. “This is more like a museum than a home.”

“I mentioned I collect antiques, didn’t I?”

“No. I don’t think so.”

Brianna scooted over to an arcade game that turned on as she approached. “Are you ready to play?” the game asked.

“Not now,” York interrupted. Animated figures brandished swords and paraded round within a 3D holographic set. They froze in fighting stances.

“Oh, please,” Brianna begged.

Kindra said, “You need to go to the bathroom, remember?”

“Down the hall on the left,” York instructed. “I’ll get a few things.”

They parted ways as Brianna found the bathroom, York headed up a lovely flowing staircase, and she stayed in the hall. She walked further into the house while she waited. The main living areas were spacious with sleek lines and large, upscale furniture. Where she could see through doorways, she viewed rooms full of older furniture and items.

The next thing she knew, Brianna was staring into a room. “What is it?” she asked, indicating a tall box in the corner.

“It’s a phone booth from the nineteen-eighties,” he said, returning with a small suitcase.

“Oh,” Brianna said. “I like your house.”

“Thank you. It was the home I grew up in. It belonged to my grandparents.”

“Impressive,” Kindra added.

“Ready?”

* * *

Forty-five minutes later, he held the door open to the condo building the department kept for out-of-town guests, surveillance, and undercover usage. His home away from home. “It’s a three bedroom, two bath. Nothing fancy, but it will keep you safe.”

Brianna looked around. “I like your home better,” she announced, her big blue eyes staring up at him.