“Do you think the media is going to follow us so they can get an exclusive on the real Ashton Hott? The one who turns into a hangry savage when he doesn’t eat massive amounts of food every few hours? Or maybe the grumpy one when he doesn’t get enough sleep.”
“Boy, does she know you,” Desiree said.
“I’m messing with you,” Carly said.
“Like only you can,” he replied. “Let’s roll.”
“I’ll close up,” Desiree said.
“Come on,” Carly said. “It’s Friday at four thirty.”
Desiree rose, then plopped back down. “So, what do I do with this upgraded surveillance system again? Do I activate it?”
“It’s activated by voice and movement, so we do nothing.” As they walked to the parking garage, she asked Desiree if she was working at Hudson’s over the weekend.
“Yup,” Desiree replied. “Hudson needs my help. He’s got employees who show up late for their shifts or they don’t provide the level of customer service I think his clientele should receive.”
Carly stopped at her vehicle. “I’m sure you’re great at it.”
“Thanks,” Desiree said. “I’m sorry about the hearing, Ash.” She pecked his cheek, then turned back to Carly. “Thanks for being with him this weekend.” With a wave of her hand, she took off toward her car.
“Do you want me to drive?” Maverick set his bags in her car.
“No, you might need to duck and hide from all the press.” She slid behind the wheel. “I’ll drive the getaway car.” With a boisterous chuckle, he got in beside her.
As she wove her way out of the city, Maverick chowed down.
“What happened today?” she asked.
“Let me get Gunner on the phone, so I can tell you both.” He dialed, Gunner answered. “You’re on speaker. I’ve got Carly with me.”
“Hey, Carly,” Gunner said. “Glad you’re going to the funeral with Mav. Hold a sec. We just got to my in-laws. I’ve gotta put the dog out back.”
Carly took the entrance ramp to I-95 south. The sounds of Gunner ushering three excited children and a maniacal-sounding dog out of the van made her smile.
“What?” Maverick asked her.
“That mayhem reminds me of your family when we were kids.”
“Do you remember when my folks took us to Hershey Park?” he asked.
They shared glances and a smile.
“We had a blast,” she replied. “We rode those baby rides with Hudson a dozen times.”
Bittersweet memories had Maverick swallowing down the lump in his throat.
“Hey,” Gunner said. “How’d it go today?”
Maverick relayed the news.
“Do you think they’ll find us guilty?” Gunner asked.
“I hadn’t been back in the States an hour and Internado asked me for a favor,” Maverick explained. “It stunk like rotting fish, so I stayed clear. This could be his way of telling me he didn’t appreciate my lack of allegiance. He did grease the skids for several of those government jobs he just suspended.”
“Sounds like a power play to me,” Gunner said. “Regardless of the outcome, we did the right thing. You did good today, but I know you’re pissed. What’s next?”
“Follow-up hearing. One week. ‘Til then, it’s biz as usual.” Maverick wrapped up the call and hung up.
