Page 449 of Lodestar

Anton:It’s my ‘I’m an old man and I want to know my granddaughter’ phase. That means I’ll bend the rules for you.

Star:Not for the world?

Anton:Maybe. As Peter Parker’s uncle once told him, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Star:That quote would impress Conor but I’m not a comic book nerd. Still, you get some points on his behalf.

Anton:Glad to hear it. I suffered through that movie.

Star:Why?

Anton:I helped a Brother make it happen.

Star:You’re into movies?

Anton:I’m into everything, dear. Most of which I wish I were in the dark about.

Anton:Okay, I shall speak with you when I have news on the adoption.

Star:Thank you, Anton. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.

Anton:If anyone understands the pull of family, Star, it is I. Now, try not to get into any trouble until we speak again, da?

Star:Da.

TYCOON’S MEGA YACHT SEIZED IN NICE

France’s DGSI,under the guidance of Interpol’s Special Trafficking Unit, seizes the mega yacht of George Bailey-Smith, British tech tycoon, in Nice as ‘crime scene’ in the ongoing investigation into the ‘Sparrows’ organization.

Several women described as 'sex slaves' are currently being treated. Many are in critical condition.

PART 3

Watch carefully,

the magic that occurs,

when you give a person,

just enough comfort,

to be themselves.

- atticus

42

STAR

“What didyou want to meet here for?” I grouched. "We could have done this in a coffee shop."

Chadwick peered at me from the bench he was sitting on. “You stop playing or something?”

Grimacing as I stared at the unusually blue sky, I muttered, “No. But chessboards are mobile. Anyway, you’re just pissed I beat you during our last game.”

Didn’t matter that was around seven years ago… Soldiers bore the worst grudges.

He hitched a shoulder. “Let’s see if you got better or worse.”

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