Page 114 of Senior

“I put that on my life.”

“Can I speak frankly, Mr. Dillinger?”

“Of course.”

“My husband… he works on the force. Specifically, he’s on your payroll.”

I sat up. “Oh really?”

“Forgive me if I’m overstepping. I don’t want any problems. I just… I know what you do and I wanted to pass along some information that might be helpful.” She reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope., handing it to me. “Daxon and Sevyn are near and dear to my heart. If I could have done this myself, I would have, but I can’t. These kids deserve justice, Mr. Dillinger. In that envelope are the names of four of the people involved in hurting those poor babies. They are in jail, but I know for a resourceful man like you, that means nothing. Do with this what you will.”

I looked down at the envelope then back up at her before taking it.

“I’ll take care of it.”

She nodded. “On a lighter note, I have some news. This is off record and you’ll receive official correspondence soon, I wanted to be the first to tell you that we have a hearing date. In three weeks, Dax and Sevyn will officially be yours. Judging by everything I’ve seen here today… they already are.”

I smiled. “We’re in love, Shelly.”

“I can tell.”

“Three weeks is perfect. Their rooms will be ready by then. Steph has been ordering shit. We’re just waiting on furniture delivery before we start set up.”

“Daxon is very excited. He’s been telling everyone that would listen that he was getting a new family. Sevyn… she doesn’t speak on it too much, but I’ve caught her staring at the picture the four of you took at the meet and greet a few times. She wants this. Just… be patient with my girl.”

“We will.”

Shelly stood. “Well, thank you for this talk. I’m about to go make my third plate. I don’t know what your mother put in that food, but it has to be crack.”

I laughed as she walked away. Standing to my feet, I made my way over to the table with all seven of my boys. They were talking about something that had Daxon tuned in and soaking it up. As I approached the table, I caught the tail end of the conversation.

“He really doesn’t like it when we call him old,” Smoke said, grinning. “He thinks he’s still young like he doesn’t have a beard full of gray hair.”

I slapped the back of his head. “What are you over here telling him?” I asked.

He chuckled. “All about you, old man. He had a few questions and we answered honestly.”

“You over here slandering my name?”

Daxon laughed. “It was mostly good things. They are funny, just like you said.

“Yeah, funny looking.”

“What does that make you?” Maceo asked, throwing a grape at my head. “We have half your genes.”

“You get that from your mama’s side of the family.”

“Where is Allison?” Maceo looked around the yard for his mother. “You ain’t been beat with a dish towel in a minute and it shows.”

They all laughed, while Daxon looked confused.

“Beat with a dish towel?” he asked.

“You’ll learn, lil’ man,” Kerrion said. “If you see one of our mamas with a dish towel, watch your mouth. If you don’t watch your mouth, be prepared to run or be swatted with it.”

Quaid snickered. “I have never been hit with the dish towel, so I can’t relate.”

Titan dapped him. “Me either.”