“Have you missed Raphael all these years, Alex? I’d imagine in the same situation, I might have been rather miffed to be left behind.”
Alex’s eyes widened. He looked at her, then at Raphael and then back at her. “How did you…?”
“I’m truly sorry, Alex,” Raphael said, seeming to understand what Francine had figured out. “Father kicked me out and I didn’t look back. I should have tried to contact you, but I was afraid if Father found out, he’d take it out on you.”
Alex stared at Raphael for long moments. “I was devastated that you left without saying goodbye. I waited to hear from you for years, but you never contacted me. I guess I always understood why, but it still hurt.”
“I am sorry—” Raphael started to say again, but Alex put a hand up.
“No. You already apologized.” He took a deep breath and a bright smile appeared. “It’s okay, Rafe. Now that I’m older and have spent more time with our father, I understand how unyielding he can be.”
“And unrelenting,” William added.
“And unforgiving,” Raphael said.
“The three of us shall be united going forward, yes?” William asked.
“Yes,” they all said together.
Glasses were raised, clinked together and sipped in order to solidify their brotherly reunion and understanding.
Dessert was delivered and consumed. As they were saying their goodbyes with promises not to wait another decade for their next meeting and dinner, Raphael’s communicator buzzed.
He ignored it until his brothers were gone, snapping it from his belt only as they waited for transportation back to their hotel. His face hardened as he read the message.
“What’s wrong? Who sent the message?”
“Diesel,” Raphael said quietly. “It just says, ‘call me,’ but there’s no other information. I think we both know what—or who—he’s calling about.”
“True.” Francine was sorry that her vacation was basically over, but she did miss home and wanted to get back to her little black kitten. Now that Raphael was coming with her and would be part of her future, she was anxious to return to herregularly scheduled life, as Elda had put it.
Raphael contacted Diesel as soon as they got back to their hotel room. Francine kissed his cheek and headed for the bedroom, whispering she would be taking a quick shower and getting ready for bed. The mischievous grin she sent over one shoulder as she walked away warmed his heart—and other parts.
He planned to make this call as fast as possible.
“Diesel,” he said when the other man answered. “What’s up?”
“Nothing is up and that’s what worries me. There haven’t been any sightings of Indigo Smith. There hasn’t been any gossip about him. The silence unnerves me. He’s out there. I know he wants his treasure back. The quiet and lack of any information is alarming, don’t you think?”
Raphael hid his amusement and recited something appropriate from the Earther phrase book he’d read. “Don’t borrow trouble, Diesel. I say no news is good news.”
“Whatever. When will you be back on Earth?”
“Our flight leaves tomorrow, going the scenic route by way of Lava Rock World. Three days.”
Diesel wasn’t happy, if the long-suffering sigh he sent over the communicator was any indication. “Fine,” he said, but added, “Lava Rock World? Really?”
“My bride-to-be wants to see it. I’m just along for the ride. I know you understand.”
Diesel’s woeful second sigh said he did. “Yeah. I understand. My wife would also like to visit Lava Rock World and the Gothic Ice Floe Planet. I see those destinations in my near future.”
“Gothic Ice Floe Planet is a future trip. Want me to pick up a brochure for you?”
“No, thanks. I already have several.”
“See you in a few days.”
