Page 78 of Lilly

I get up and go out the side door. It leads to an office, which is where I'll be waiting until they're done. In the room where Phillip is, there's a camera in the ceiling and a microphone under the table so I can see and hear what's going on. The camera is linked to an app on my phone which is what I'll be watching as the meeting transpires. I have an earpiece for the audio.

"Can you hear me?" Phillip asks.

I text him 'yes' on his phone.

He sees the text, then sets his phone down and adjusts his tie. There's a knock on the door and the guard opens it. "Are you ready for him?"

"Yes," Phillip says. "Let him in."

Phillip stands up as Dean walks in. He's wearing a better suit this time. A more expensive one that actually fits him.

"Good to see you again, Mr. Ashford." Phillip holds out his hand.

"You as well." He shakes his hand, then sits down across from Phillip.

"So...what's the next assignment?" he eagerly asks, because he knows the assignment will be accompanied by a large sum of money. He shouldn't act so eager. He has no idea what he's in for. His last assignment was easy. The next one will be far more difficult. But with risk comes reward. A reward I know he'll find to be very appealing.

"Before we begin," Phillip says, "would you like some tea?" He points to the teapot that's on the tray next to the table.

"No, thank you."

As Phillip pours himself a cup, I see Dean becoming more nervous, fidgeting with his hands.

"Are you sure you don't want some?" Phillip asks, still holding the teapot. "It might calm your nerves."

Dean nods. "Fine. I'll have some."

Again, Phillip takes his time pouring it, then sets the cup in front of Dean.

"Before we begin," Dean says, "I have a question. I know you said not to ask questions but—"

"Go ahead," Phillip says, sounding annoyed.

"Why didn't you tell me Pearce Kensington was part of this?"

"Why would I tell you that?"

"Because I know him! My son is dating his daughter."

"Is that so?" Phillip cocks his head. "I had no idea. What a strange coincidence."

"You really didn't know?" he asks.

"How or why would I know such a thing? I don't keep tabs on the children of my fellow members, especially the love interests of their teenagers." He chuckles.

"It's more than just a teenage crush. It's serious. Reed wants to marry her."

"All the better. We typically like our members to marry girls whose fathers are members. It's just easier that way. You haven't spoken to Pearce about this, have you? Because as I've told you before, until you're official approved, you are not to speak to any of the members except me. Doing so would result in punishment."

"I haven't spoken with him. Or anyone else."

"Good. Then let's continue." Phillip sits up very straight and folds his hands in front of him, resting them on the table. "Maintaining the existence of a highly secret group such as ours involves a great deal of risk. And one of those risks is the risk of being found out. People are always trying to tell our secrets, and when they do, they are punished."

"I thought only the members know of its existence."

"No. We seek out the help of many other people to help us achieve our goals. Our members are too busy to do the actual hands-on work. They're businessmen, lawyers, judges, politicians. And we're all very active in charitable organizations, and then of course we have families—wives, children to attend to. So we have no choice but to turn to others to help us do our work. We refer to these people as freelancers. The man who helped you falsify that paperwork regarding the mayor? He was a freelancer. He's worked for us many times."

"And he's never told anyone?" Dean asks, lifting his cup of tea to his mouth.

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