“No. You don’t need to take my weapon from me.”
“Don’t make me put you on watch. If you do, I’ll make Nemo do it.”
For the love of fuck. “Why do you hate me?”
A short laugh issued from Waters. “I’m trying to keep you alive. We kind of like having you around.”
“Making Nemo my babysitter would be annoying.”
“Yes, but you can’t be annoyed if you’re dead, now, can you? I prefer you to be annoyed.”
“Payback’s a bitch,” Steel reminded him.
“Again. If you’re seeking revenge, that means you’re still alive. I’ll take it.” Waters turned and started to walk back to camp. “Think about what I said. If nothing else, it might make you feel better that you’re not shouldering the knowledge all alone. You did all of this to keep her safe.” He stopped. “And no more visits. They’re making you feel worse and worse each time, plus it’s potentially drawing attention to her and, ultimately, to you. That’s the opposite of what you wanted.” Waters moved on, back toward camp.
There was a tone to the last part. Almost as if the man were delivering two separate messages about two separate issues. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear the man had a touch of “the glimmer” himself.
Seconds later, he was alone again. Standing there, he considered the conversation. He supposed the man was right. In the long run,that’s why he’d done what he’d done, right? Otherwise, what would have been the purpose?
2
AUGUST 12, 2024
Daleyza
“Easton,it’s time to go inside.”
The grass was still damp from the early morning shower, and Daleyza stood at the edge of the yard, looking toward the six-year-old drawing in the mud with a stick. The child was so engrossed, he obviously didn’t hear her calling to him.
None of this helped with the monster headache forming.
Looking down at the grass and sighing, she realized there was nothing for it except to step into the wet grass and go collect him. She called out to him again softly when she was about two feet behind him. “Easton?”
The boy ignored her.
Due to the rain, the August weather was unseasonably cold and grey. By afternoon, the day would be humid as hell. She shrugged her arms further into her sleeves and hugged her long brown cardigan closer around her. “Easton.”
The boy still didn’t turn around or respond. Slowly, she leaned down and touched him lightly on the shoulder. “Easton, it’s time to go inside.”
This time, he shrugged her hand off and continued to draw in the mud.
With a sigh, she was about to be firmer with the child when something out of the corner of her eye distracted her. A town car pulled up to the only free space at her curb, executing perfect parallel parking on the crowded street.
A tall woman with red hair pulled back in a French twist exited the driver’s side door and came around the front of the car. She wore a designer raincoat and heels, and she carried a briefcase that was likely worth more than Daleyza’s bank account.
Using every ounce of control she had within her, she kept her body in the pose of a frustrated day-care worker as she spoke to the boy. “Easton, you need to go inside. Now.”
Something in her tone reached the child because he stopped what he was doing, threw the stick at the ground, and ran into the house, the door banging shut behind him before she could even move to follow him.
“Senora Ortiz?”
“Who’s asking for her?”
“My name is Esmerelda Worth. I’m here regarding Livia’s medical care. Can we speak inside?”
Daleyza carefully considered the woman. “I don’t recognize you.”
The redhead removed her unnecessary sunglasses, then pulled a black wallet from her raincoat. She flipped open the wallet and revealed a US Marshals badge and photo identification.
