Sherlock said, “Elizabeth, John wants you to consider coming home, working with him. He’s evidently at a standstill. Lots of suspects and possible scenarios, but still nothing solid.”
Elizabeth said slowly, “I see. So I’m to be bait? Otherwise, Idon’t see how I can help him. And to be honest, I’d rather be bait here with you watching out for me.”
Savich said matter-of-factly, “John knows we’ll protect you, but you know there could well be danger for you as well. It’s up to you.”
Elizabeth ate a bite of eggplant, looked inward. “If I did decide to go back to London, given what’s happened so far, at least I’ll be prepared to be in a cock-up.”
Rome said, “Cock-up? Who talks like that? Yes, it’s up to you, but I think it’s too soon for you to consider going back to London.”
Elizabeth studied the man sitting next to her. She’d only met him today, and he was making fun of how she spoke and telling her what to do? Should she smack him in the jaw or laugh? Instead, she said, “I can understand John wanting to take me back and try to draw these people out again. I think too that after what happened last time, if I went back, I’d have so much protection I couldn’t go to the ladies’ by myself, which would make them hide rather than try for me again. The difference now is I’m no longer helpless, I can take care of myself.”
“I agree with your assessment,” Savich said, nothing more. “Again, Elizabeth, it’s up to you what to do.”
She ate another bite of eggplant parmesan. “This is so delicious. Oh, yes, Hurley advised me it would be a bad idea for me to come to the Hoover Building with a gun, so he refused to give me one. He told me to trust you guys. But, really, I’d feel safer if I had one.”
Sherlock and Savich looked at each other. Savich said, “Rome will be with you, and he’s licensed to carry a weapon. Our supplying you with one would be illegal.”
“Ah, yes, the legalities. I can see you’re in a quandary. Hurley said as much. All right, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll call John in the morning, tell him I’ll be staying in the States for now. And, Special Agent Foxe, cock-up is a perfectly good word.”
They heard a popping sound. Elizabeth jumped.
Savich laughed, rose. “It’s all right. I believe that’s the sound of a demon in Sean’s new video game biting the dust. Sherlock, stay put, I’ll shut him down for the night.”
Sherlock studied Elizabeth’s set face. She said in a calm, matter-of-fact voice, “I’m pleased with your decision, Elizabeth, and you’re welcome to stay with us as long as you like.”
Savich reappeared in the dining room doorway with Sean at his side holding his hand, wearing Spider-Man pajamas. Astro stood tall next to Sean, his tail wagging. He was on alert, eyeing the strangers. “Sean wanted to say good night to our guests, Rome and Elizabeth. As for Astro, pet him and he won’t think you’re an enemy.”
Sean eyed her and said in great seriousness, “Papa said he was protecting you, Elizabeth, because bad men might be after you. He’ll keep you safe. If you have a nightmare tonight, I’ll wake you up and Astro and I will come and sleep with you.”
“That’s very kind of you, Sean. Does Astro like to spoon?”
He beamed at her. “I’ve never tried to spoon with him, but he loves to cuddle, sticks his nose right under your arm. Hi, Uncle Rome. Maybe if I don’t have to go back to bed, we can play.”
Sherlock said, “Sorry, champ, but you have to be ready for all sorts of adventures tomorrow.”
Rome marveled at the little boy, so like his father. He was tall for his age, with his father’s black hair and olive complexion and dark eyes. Rome had met him at a barbeque the week he joined the unit, at Special Agent Ollie Hamish’s house. He knew very well what he was expected to say, so he said, “We’ll do that next time, Sean, but prepare to be destroyed.”
Sean gave him a big-kid grin. As for Astro, he was unmoving, staring at Elizabeth. She patted her leg, and to everyone’s surprise, he yipped and ran to her and leaped up in her lap. He stood on his back legs and licked every bit of skin he couldreach. Elizabeth laughed, hugged him close. “Sweet boy, if you get tired of Sean’s snoring, come sleep with me.”
Sean gave her an approving look. “Astro likes you.” He walked to his mother and lightly laid his palm on her stomach. “Mama, I really want a brother, so please make one.”
Elizabeth, still hugging Astro against her chest, said seriously, “Sean, a sister could kill demons right alongside you too.”
It was obvious Sean didn’t agree, but she was an adult and Astro liked her, so he didn’t argue.
Savich said. “It’s late, Sean, time to send the demons back to their crypts for the night. You and Astro need to refuel.”
Sean told them all good night, and Astro, after a final lick at Elizabeth’s chin, jumped down from her lap and ran over to Sean. They heard Sean talking a mile a minute about Elizabeth as he walked beside his father up the stairs.
Sherlock rose. “You ready for some apple pie and ice cream? Sean already had a slice. He gave part of it to Astro when he thought I wasn’t looking.”
Two hours later, Elizabeth lay in the very comfortable bed, but she couldn’t sleep. She was tired, but so much had happened, it was hard to turn off her brain. Hurley had told her Sherlock and Savich wouldn’t give her a gun. She went round and round in circles about if she should try to buy one on the sly, when, suddenly, everything was crystal clear.
She had a plan.
Chapter Twenty-One
Titusville, Virginia
