Vegas returned to Nevada’s side. “Everything good?”
“Everything’s great. They’re probably waiting on us. You ready to go?”
Vegas gave him a thumbs up, and they walked in the opposite direction toward the Thompson Television building.
“Where have you been? What took you so long?” Consuela asked when they walked into the lobby. Nevada silently kissed his mother’s cheek, allowing his father to speak.
“It is my son’s birthday. We were spending a little father and son time together.” Vegas kissed her on the other cheek. “Come on. They can’t start without us.”
Consuela linked an arm into each of theirs, and they entered the main studio of the television station. They spotted Sasha and Junior, who were already seated. Nevada sat beside his uncle and looked onstage at his grandparents, Aunt Paris, Uncle Rio, and his new uncle, Roman. They all looked nervous. Video cameras were strategically placed throughout the room, and the production staff made last-minute adjustments.
One of the producers yelled, “Quiet on the set!” A hush fell, and the lights dimmed. It was showtime. “Close on Savannah. Three, two, one.” She pointed at the host.
“Today on the Savannah Kirby Show, we have the intriguing, exclusive story of love, tragedy, and abduction,” the show’s host, singing sensation Savannah Kirby, announced as the camera panned from her to Chippy and LC, pausing momentarily on a close-up of their faces before moving to Paris, Rio, and finally, Roman.
“Twenty-six years ago, Charlotte and LC Duncan gave birth to twins Paris and Rio, or so they thought. Turns out, she didn’t have twins, but actually triplets. They weren’t aware of the third baby until a string of unfortunate coincidences. Right after his birth, the third baby was abducted by Margaret Johnson, the nurse who delivered him. She took him home and named him Roman Johnson. Now he’s here with his birth family, and they are all here to share their amazing story.”
Savannah looked into the camera and exclaimed, “Y’all, this story is crazy! Wait until you hear all the details. Please help me welcome the Duncans.”
The camera once again panned across the stage, capturing the reactions of each family member as the audience erupted into applause.
* * *
“You’ve gotta be fuckin’ kidding me.”
Fifteen hundred miles away, at the Allen B. Polunski Prison in Livingston, Texas, KD Shrugs threw a deck of cards at the television in the recreation room. He’d been watching the show with his fellow inmates, and now he was pissed. His angry face almost matched the color of his orange jumpsuit.
“What’s wrong, Daddy?” Tyler was dressed in the same type of jumpsuit.
KD pointed at the TV. “Look at that son of a bitch. Can you believe this shit? He’s there, and I’m fucking here!”
“Is that LC Duncan?” Tyler squinted at the small screen. “Why is he on TV?”
“Somethin’ about a long-lost son.” KD wished they could turn up the volume, but that wasn’t allowed, so he strained to hear what they were saying. He read the names on the bottom of the screen and nearly shit his pants. Roman Johnson.
“Well, I’ll be damned. This world is just too damn small.”
“What’s going on, KD?” one of the guards asked.
“Nothing, Richards. Go back to sleep.” KD rushed over to the phones on the other side of the room. He put in his access code, dialed the number, and waited for the operator to connect the call.
A woman answered. “Save Smart Corporate. How may I help you?”
“You have a call from an inmate . . .” the recording began.
The Save Smart operator didn’t hesitate to accept the call. She’d been given explicit instructions by her boss to do so should KD ever call.
“Put me through to Leo Greer. I need to speak to him right now,” KD demanded.
“I’ll see if he’s available.”
“Tell him it’s about his daughter,” KD told her. “He’ll be available.”
“I thought you said you didn’t want me to get you out until the heat died down,” Greer said as soon as he picked up the phone.
“I don’t,” he replied. “No reason to bring attention to ourselves now. How’ve you been?”
“I’m about to go into a meeting. What’s this about my daughter? I don’t have time to chitchat.” Greer sounded a little frustrated.
“Actually, Leo, I’m calling to help you.”
“Help me with what?”
“Saving your daughter. What else?” KD replied. “You still looking for a kidney and a heart?”
“Of course I am. They’ve got my daughter on a damn respirator. I’ve got all the money in the world, but I can’t save her without those organs. My wife’s talking about pulling the plug.”
“Well, don’t pull the plug just yet, because I know where two, possibly three perfect matches are not too far from you.”
“You do? Where?” Greer’s voice was animated now. He sounded like he was ready to jump through the phone.
“Now, I can’t get them for you considering my predicament, but a man with your resources should be able to find the right people to do the job.”
“KD, stop fucking with me and tell me where I can find these people!”
“Turn on your TV to the Savannah Kirby Show and you’ll see all three of them. Roman, Rio, and Paris.” KD smirked as he hung up the phone.
