Page 131 of The System

“I don’t know what I want. I might want to go back to Florida after.”

“Okay. That’ll be up to you.”

“But I’d want to, you know, keep in touch if I leave. I never had a real sister. I never had anyone fight for me how you have since we met.”

“She’s the reason you’re not going to trial for murder,” Carina volunteered. “Sorry, Frank.”

“Don’t be sorry. I can admit that Kieran figured it all out. She was my official outside consultant, after all.” He winked at Kieran. “That’s what it says on all my paperwork, anyway, to make it okay that she had info she probably shouldn’t have had otherwise. At least, not when she had it.”

“I couldn’t have helped had you not sent me that footage you weren’t supposed to and filled out that paperwork, I guess.”

“True,” Frank said and gave Kieran a smile.

“I guess I should thank all of you.” Marin looked at Carina then and added, “Well, not you, maybe. You were fighting against me – in the beginning, at least – and now, you’re maybe fucking my sister, I think. So, that’s not cool unless you’re really good at it and Kieran’s all about it. You all about it?”

“Okay. Can we not call it fucking?” Kieran requested.

“Is she not doing that for you?” Marin asked, looking deeply concerned.

“She’s taking care of me just fine.”

Carina probably looked a little smug then.

“So, you’ll be loud when I move in? Should I get headphones or something?”

“Anyway…” Frank stood. “I’m going to go finalize this deal, if you’re in agreement, and before you say no to this one, too, Marin – this is the best you’re going to get. It’s either this, or years in prison.”

“Yeah, fine. I’m in. I can handle six more months of this.” She turned back to Kieran. “You’ll keep visiting?”

“Of course,” Kieran said. “I can’t get here every day, but I’ll try every other. The time will fly by.”

“I doubt that. But it’s better than being here forever,” Marin said. “You really think we can find our birth parents?”

Frank cleared his throat and said, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Marin. With a deal for you to sign.”

“Oh, okay. Sure.”

Frank opened and closed the door behind himself.

“I don’t know if we can,” Kieran said honestly. “But we have some connections that might know who they were, at least. Maybe if we can learn what happened or find out if they’re still around, that’ll give us something.”

“But don’t you have a mom still?”

“I do. She’ll always be my mother. I love her. Just like I loved my dad. Still, when I found out that I was adopted, I couldn’t help it. I battled with myself, but I knew that I wanted to know. I’m sure it’s no fairy-tale ending, but I don’t need that. Maybe just the truth about who they were and why we were dumped in an alley.”

“That would be a good start, yeah,” Marin agreed.

“Well, we should probably go now. Visiting hours are almost over, so they’re going to kick us out. Do you need more money in your account?”

“No, I’m good. Maybe next week, though. Thanks.”

“No problem,” Kieran replied. “And I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Hey, can my sister and I have a sec?” Marin asked Carina.

“Oh, yeah. Sure. Sorry.” Carina stood up and let go of Kieran’s hand. “I’ll just be outside.”

“Okay. Thanks.” Kieran smiled at her.

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