But I knew how to do the same.
Or maybe it was my karma from praising her worked for me because a text came in that had the most amazing timing to cut through my upset. It was from Owen on something he’d seen and wanted to share with me… And he’d spoken with Evan. They had talked and come to some decisions.
They now wanted to present some ideas to me. Pick my brain and maybe figure out how to make the puzzle they were looking at fit.
Yeah, hadn’t I just done that?
He knew I had actually, admitting Evan had seen part of my meeting with the other VPs in his dream. To take the sting out of how invasive that was into my personal life, he sent a picture of the two of them shirtless holding Mudbug.
Cheaters. Seriously, that was cheating.
I set the phone down with a sigh and gave her my other hand while I put the one she’d finished with under the UV light to set.
The idea Owen had sent me was cool. Like really cool and something we would absolutely want to do. My brain raced off, but I snorted given all the problems we were having.
Then another text came in—agratefulone, and it was like the bulb going off over my head I needed. Or maybe the Christmas lights plugged into each other to make the tree shine?
I wasn’t really sure, but the woman chuckled again and I did a double take.
“Your whole face filled with hope,” she explained. “You figured out the answer.”
“Maybe,” I hedged. “It’s risky and could backfire. But… Maybe. If done right.”
“Then good thing you are smart. You look ready to help people. You will do well.”
I didn’t think it was just her customer service persona saying that. Her desires were that I succeed if it meant something goodfor people even if it was business-related. She wanted more good in the world.
So did I.
So did a lot of us.
And yes, I left the woman a fat tip… Even if I didn’t get any damn information that I’d been there for.
Whoops!
14
First thing I did was reply to Owen saying that we could absolutely have a meeting, but I needed to handle some things first. Also, given what I was pretty sure he specifically wanted, he should talk to Joshua and get some details. Evan with Elijah because I thought he could fit in with a few of Elijah’s ideas. But yes, absolutely, we could all talk.
Then I texted Kyle admitting I got buried in messages and accomplished nothing but pretty nails. So if he could please send some people in to gossip and listen up like dancers did but without specifically telling them what to look for so we didn’t spook the killer.
Basically, he knew what to do to get us info that would help besides whatever security footage his guys were probably already all over. From the salon or surrounding areas. They would now be all over getting what they could for the day Steven Scalf used his card there.
The nice text that came in was from Ricco, thanking me for getting involved and saving the day. He said he knew there was more to come and things to hammer out, but the fact I personally did that for two of his people and cared said a lot about the person I was and that he was in my debt.
Nothing probably surprised him more than my asking to cash that in right away.
The ask was actually fairly simple. I wanted a meeting with any ancient leaders he was tight with around the world. The ones the councils wouldn’t touch, didn’t acknowledge, and were in the same spot Ricco was.
Butonlyif he trusted them or at least would deal with them. Friendly enough that he would want nice things for them or wouldn’t worry they’d immediately kill him.
Yes, it was a low bar, but the world was dangerous and… Yeah, life just sucked most days.
What else was new?
He was full of questions and demanded to know why and what the agenda was. I didn’t even blame him, but I wouldn’t tell him.
Mostly because there wasn’t really an agenda.
