“Cid didn’t ask,” Mia teased.
Cid started laughing
“You know I’m smarter than him,” Ted said, clearly annoyed.
“I think if you factor in all the variables, I’d say you two were even. You have this fantastic mind that can invent things out of the blue. Cid’s more down to earth. He cooks amazing meals and is a great listener. When I married you, I got Cid too. So, I’m the winner here.”
Cid turned around, giving Mia a thumbs up.
Chapter Twelve
Wyatt sat nursing a drink as he watched the crowd of young people moving up and down the street. Nordin, who had changed from his traditional black suit, had on a white linen pair of trousers and a Cuban shirt. The afternoon heat wasn’t excessive, but the humidity was high, and the sky was looking like it wanted to rain.
“You may want to come in so I can start the air conditioner. It’s going to be hard sleeping with the noise, let alone the house being too warm.”
“I just want the spies to know where we are.”
“Have you seen anyone we should be concerned with?”
“A pair of Others stopped across the street and spent a lot of time looking at that window display.”
“Which one?” Nordin asked.
“The Goth jeweler. That reminds me, we should bring Mia back a souvenir to cheer her up.”
“Don’t you have faith she’s going to be successful, Mr. Wayne?” Nordin asked.
“I do, but if she doesn’t make it, we should have something to console her.”
“If she doesn’t, you’d better adopt her.”
“Why?”
“Word on the street, the council is looking for Charles and Amanda to have another child.”
“So that’s why this duo of Others are out there. They’re an extermination squad. The council must have decided to clear the slate so they can program another assassin. They wouldn’t want Mia’s blood on their hands when they can have mercenaries do it for them.”
“So the powers of good will murder a little girl for being a good little girl.”
“Yes, you see why I hate all this political posturing. When the good are the ones you have to be worried about, the world becomes a treacherous place,” Wyatt said.
“Why do you think Abigor hasn’t already killed Mia?” Nordin asked.
“I really don’t know. It’s not that he’s afraid of a little girl. Now would be the time. But according to the memories I managed to catch as I mind-read Mia, he’s alive in her time. And he gave her a very valuable gold chain.”
“I think the chain is symbolic,” Nordin pointed out.
“You mean she’s chained to him?” Wyatt asked.
“No, I think it goes deeper than that. I think he’s known about Mia since birth. I think, somehow, he and she bonded. Neither of them may be aware of it. I hope you’re not thinking of pairing the two up when she’s grown. I just met the girl and already know she wouldn’t be happy in a harem.”
“No, but if we adopt Mia, then I’ll have to choose a husband for her. Someone to protect her if something happens to me. There is a young demon who resides here in New Orleans who would be a good match. He won’t reach maturity for a few decades, but he’s got the makings of a hero,” Wyatt said. “We could arrange the marriage for when he is old enough. Until then, the promise bond should be enough to keep her safe.”
“Here you are being maternal. It’s a new look for you, Mr. Wayne.”
“From fallen to father, what an amazing ride it’s been,” Wyatt said. He got up and handed his empty glass to Nordin. “Let’s go out and see if we can make the acquaintance of Sticks after the rainstorm. I want to see for myself what kind of home he could provide for my future daughter.”
~
Ted pulled into a self-serve gas station, and Mia went into the small convenience store to pay the attendant. She grabbed a few snacks she knew were a favorite of both Ted and Cid. The clerk was distracted by the soap opera that was playing on the small black and white TV, the original intent of which must have been to view the fueling aisles. Mia handed Cid the bag of Dr. Peppers and Red Vines. She sat in the back sipping on a cup of black coffee. Ted put the top down on the convertible, and they continued on their journey.
The wind made it hard to talk, so Mia contented herself with looking at the scenery. It was pretty flat, but the farmhouses stood out against the sky. The two- and three-story structures spoke of a time when families had a lot of children and the older members were cared for in the home instead of in facilities. Spring flowers filled pots that hung from the gingerbread on the front porches.
“Not many trees,” Murphy said close to Mia’s ear.
She nodded.
Cid tapped Ted’s shoulder and pointed out an approaching drive. He slowed and turned onto it.
Mia recognized the farmhouse, but the land seemed different. When she had visited, Glenda was contemplating moving to a new house, so she had let the fields fall fallow. Mia didn’t realize how much she missed the Queen Anne’s lace and other wildflowers until now. The orderly rows of sprouting grain seemed too sterile to her.
Ted pulled in beside an older white Buick Roadmaster station wagon.
Mia, Murphy, and Cid got out of the convertible and waited for Ted to put up the soft top. Mia struggled for an idea on how to approach Glenda Dupree. She was a formidable woman and had a natural radar when it came to lies.
The object of her concern came out of the house wiping her hands on the bottom of her apron. “Hello! Are you lost?”
