Page 91 of Forfeits

“Fletcher, Robin is many things, but he’s responsible and conscientious in a strange, sort of irreverent way. I promise. Do you want me to ask him?”

I thought it over for about two seconds. “Sure. Yes. Please.”

“Can you give him twenty bucks an hour?”

“Sure.” Totally worth it. And that was probably the going rate, anyway. I got away with paying Patrick less since he was family. “Wait. Do you want twenty an hour, too?”

“No, no. It’s fine. I’m happy to do it for whatever.”

“I don’t want to stiff you, though…”

“Fletcher. It’s fine. It’s just that if I can tell Robin twenty an hour, it will be a done deal.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

* * * *

I woke up the next morning to a text from Patrick that Robin was on board for Friday. I let Fletcher know I had a sitter for Friday when he called me at lunch.

“Not Patrick?”

“No, he’s covering for someone at the club. But he said Robin would do it.”

There was a pause. “Wait. Robin? The molly boy with the Miss Piggy jokes? The one that showed me his nipples?”

“Yeah. Why? Do you think that’s a bad idea?”

“No, Fletcher, I think it’s amazing. Lucy’s going to love him.”

“Maybe it’s a bad idea.”

“I already booked the Bordello. If Patrick vouches for him, I’m sure he’ll be great.”

Chapter Fifteen

Treasure

On Monday, while I was still finishing up at the office, I called my sister-in-law, Catherine, Patrick’s mom. I thought she might have some insight into how to deal with Annie and Brian’s plans. I texted her first to make sure she had a moment to talk.

“Hey, long time no speak.”

“Fletcher! How are you and Lucy? Eh, I get all the info from Patrick.”

“Yeah, not all the info, I’m afraid.”

“What do you mean?”

I hesitated. Now that I had her on the phone, I wondered if this was a good idea. What if she already knew? What if she thought they were right?

“Ah…are you aware that Annie and Brian want full custody of Lucy?”

There was a long pause. “No. I didn’t know that. What the hell?”

Oh, thank God.

“Are you serious?” she asked.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

---