Page 52 of Rules of Engagement

"I do. I'm a Jewish mother now. I have to feed everyone. It's the law," she said. "Also, it makes me feel better because I am useless to you right now and I don't know what to do except bring more food."

"I really appreciate it," said Delgado. "Lily, you're a very thoughtful woman." He eased himself upright on the cot, stretched, and showed no signs of tiredness after sleeping on alert. "Please excuse me for a few minutes, then I'll be back in to vacuum up any leftovers." He grabbed his backpack and stepped out of the room.

"Our soon-to-be brother-in-law is a very nice man," said Lily.

"I agree. Let's keep him." I reached for a donut and wrapped the hot dough in the napkin Lily handed me.

"Can you imagine what his kids will look like?" Lily mused.

"Well-dressed tanks?"

"With really nice hair," added Lily. "Should I reserve you for babysitting now?"

"As the only single aunt in the family, you really should."

"Sorry," said Lily, suddenly hugging me. I tried not to choke on the piece of donut I chewed. Over her shoulder, I shoved in the last piece in case the hug lasted for a while. A hungry rumble would probably ruin the moment.

"Why are you sorry?" I mumbled. Was now the wrong moment to lick sugar from my lips? What if Lily thought I was trying to lick her? Her hair smelled really nice but I didn't want to actually lick it.

"In case you thought I don't value you for not having a child, and using you for being the single aunt. I really do value you for many, many things."

"I don't think that," I assured her as we disentangled. "I don't have a child because it's not my time yet, and I guess I'll know when it's time. When did you know it was time?"

Lily tapped a finger against her lip. "When I was pregnant," she decided.

"Hopefully, I'll know before then. Until then, and if I'm available, I'm happy to babysit. I get to squish the sweetest people and watch them grow up and be part of their lives. I get to help the people I love."

"But reserve your services well in advance, yeah?"

"Definitely."

Lily paused, and I felt the weight of an important question bearing down on her. She looked into my eyes, took a deep breath and asked, "You are counting all the favors we owe you, aren't you?"

"I'm covered for my future children's entire childhoods," I said and she broke into a grin.

"Now we have that decided, what's happening today? Where's Damien? I thought the mystery brother might be here."

"He met up with Anastasia last night and my parents insisted he stay with them too. He'll be here soon and you can meet him then."

"Is he a lot like Solomon?"

"Sort of. He's a couple inches shorter and not quite as fit but they have similar faces. It's in the eyes I think."

"Do you like him?"

"He seems nice. It's a shame we didn't meet before now. I think Anastasia is glad he came."

"What about the investigation?" Lily perched on a chair and pushed the bag over to me. I plucked another donut and took a sip of the coffee before reaching for my phone.

"Fletcher and Flaherty are still staking out Mikey Gibbs," I told her, scrolling through my messages. "They had a few hours to sleep while some other guys from the agency took over watching. They assumed their posts an hour ago. Lucas wants me to call." I hit dial and waited for him to pick up.

"I ruled out a few more names," said Lucas, jumping directly into the latest update. "We confirmed overnight that forty-seven are in jail. Two are in long-term comas. Witness protection accounts for eight. One dude found God and joined the priesthood, one is a monk, and one runs a yoga retreat in India. The others are still unaccounted for."

"That leaves, what? Seventeen names?"

"Yeah. I know it's still a lot but I'm working on it. I'll find everyone."

"Maybe someone in jail masterminded this," I said, taking another sip of the coffee. "They could have sent out a hit man."

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