I think about that."Every 30 minutes."
"Very good."
Walking into the garage, I decide to take the Corvette.Before sliding in, I tell Alfred, "Secure the house when I exit the gate."
"You got it.Have a safe trip."
"I'll be home tonight."
"Shall I let Maria know what to prepare for dinner?"
"Yes," I smirk."Ask her, don't tell her, to prepare a Cordon Bleu, please."
"Umm.That sounds delicious."
Alfred is learning fast.I chuckle as I get behind the wheel then crank the car.Pulling out, I drive down the highway, heading to meet my crew at the warehouse.I arrive with 15 minutes to spare and find no one is early, so I stroll around the side of the building to the vacant lot.The makeshift tent is gone, and in its place is a Habitat for Humanities small one-bedroom house.I begin to whistle a special forces marching chant as I approach the new residence.The door swings open, and out comes a clean-shaven, freshly buzzed head with an ear-splitting grin.I almost don't recognize the old soldier, but the hobble in his gait and the fire in his eyes are the same.He reaches out for a handshake and pumps mine.
"I knew one day you would return."He tells me.
I nod."Looks like you've made some new improvements to the place while I've been gone."
I look for the knife that I stuck in the tree."It's been removed."He tells me.
"By you or a gang banger?"I cut my eyes at him.
"By me."A woman says from the front door.
Surprised, I raise my eyebrows, and the happy man beside me laughs."She's run all the gang bangers off."He walks toward her, reaching for her hand, "Come here, Brenda.I want you to meet the man who turned my life around."
She smiles as big as he does."It's nice to finally get to say thank you face to face."
He takes her hand, and they walk over."I told you he'd be back.Just be patient."
I shake my head."No thanks are needed."But she gives me a hug, nonetheless.
"Luke and I are grateful."
I look back at the tree."So, where's the knife?"
"Framed and on the wall inside.Would you like to come in and see?"
I look back to the warehouse.A taxi is pulled up to the curb, and Antonio gives the driver a tip while Angelo gets his bag."Maybe another time," I tell her."I have a meeting next door.We're going to renovate the old warehouse and turn it into an office complex.We'll be daytime neighbors."
"Excellent!"Luke nods and puts his arm around Brenda."Brenda and I look forward to seeing you on a more regular basis."
We shake hands again, and I walk back to the warehouse.
Halfway back, my phone vibrates with a text.I pull it out to see my first update.I'm really going to enjoy this new system.
Alfred here.Your requested update is ready.Shall I give it to you here?
Yes.
Siri is currently located at Lioness Towers.
Excellent.
When I round the corner, Angelo and Antonio are shaking hands, then Antonio is introducing Maria to him.Quintus pulls up on a Harley wearing his MC gear.He takes off his helmet and hangs it on the handlebars, shakes out his long hair, running his fingers through the big curls, then walks up on the sidewalk, hugs his cousins, and shakes Maria's hand.
