Page 60 of Resolutions

“You know why,” Sebastian says cryptically.

Law clears his throat. “They'll need time to work. Lunch?”

My phone startled me when it rings with a number I don’t recognize.

“I don’t know who this is.” I held my phone out, and Law came to stand next to me.

“That’s a Whispering Pines number,” he said. “Here, I’ll answer it.”

Taking my phone, he lowered his voice. “Yes?” He answered. “One minute.” He held the phone out to Evelyn. “It’s the pilot.”

“I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you I gave them your number to reach us. You know, since Michael has mine bugged.” After a brief conversation, she returns, looking apologetic. “Our pilots went to Maine and are now fogged in. I guess that's the price you pay for lobsters. We'll need a hotel for tonight.”

“No problem,” Law smiles. “I know just the place.”

Chapter 30

Melanie

The hustle and bustle of New York streets fills the air as Law leads us back to the office after lunch. During the meal, we listened to the guys reminisce and playfully bash each other. They seem like a good group who genuinely want to make the world better. I find myself feeling increasingly safe in their presence.

Back at Law's offices, thumping music draws my attention. Walking upstairs, I realize it's coming from Mouse and Keyboard's workspace. Two huge speakers pulse with neon colors matching the beat. The room is covered with retro movie posters and gaming characters. Mouse and Keyboard are seated in neon pink desk chairs, fuzzy lime green rugs beneath them. While the room has an eclectic college dorm feel, both women are focused intently on dual monitors, their fingers flying across keyboards with machine-gun rapidity. Their earlier playfulness has vanished, replaced by laser-focused concentration. Lawquietly closes the door before leading us back to the conference room.

“They texted during lunch. They've encountered some resistance from well programed defense systems,” he explains, his deep voice steady and reassuring. “They said not to worry, it's normal. Mouse said think of it as testing the castle walls. They're in the zone, so we'll let them work.”

“I'm impressed they've gotten that far so quickly,” I say, raising my eyebrows.

“Me too,” Evelyn adds, “though I'd be lying if I said I understood what you're talking about.”

He guides us past the conference room to the elevator, which takes us up to the next floor. At lunch, Law mentioned we could stay tonight in the upstairs apartment. Stepping into the space, Evelyn and I both stop in our tracks. This place could grace the pages of Architectural Digest. Gleaming marble floors throughout, soaring ceilings, and a grand piano anchoring one of two elegant seating areas. The open-concept layout flows seamlessly from the chef's professional-grade kitchen to a dining room table that could seat the Knights of the Round Table and then some. But it's the bedrooms that call to me like sirens to sailors. Plush beds dressed in what must be thousand-thread-count linens promise the deep sleep that's eluded me since this tragedy started. Only the spa-worthy bathrooms with their deep soaking tubs and rainfall showers offer competition for my attention.

“This is incredible,” Evelyn gushes, running her hand along the polished granite countertop. I nod in agreement, still taking in the understated luxury.

“I'm glad you like it. Please make yourselves at home,” Law says. “I have some case work to handle. I'll be back around six to discuss dinner plans. The kitchens fully stocked, and there's a number by the phone if you need anything, food or any suppliesyou may have forgotten. Don't hesitate to call if you need one of us too."

We thank him profusely as he heads out. Evelyn locks the door behind him with a satisfying click that makes my shoulders relax even more than they already have since arriving in New York.

“Would you mind if we stayed in and rested?” Evelyn asks, stifling a yawn. “Between our early departure and everything today, I'm rather worn out.”

“Actually, I was going to ask you the same thing,” I say, pulling her into a tight hug. “Thank you for bringing me here. I have real hope the team will find something on Michael.”

“Those girls are something else entirely, aren't they?” Evelyn shakes her head, still processing Mouse and Keyboard's existence. “Explain the brother thing to me again.”

Laughing, I explain it before we split up and head to our rooms. In mine, I sprawl out on the king-size bed and sigh. Even if Mouse and Keyboard can't find anything, I'm grateful for this trip. I knew I was wound tight, but I honestly had no idea how tight. A nap sounds wonderful, so I burrow into blankets that instantly make me feel like I'm wrapped in clouds. The mattress cradles my exhausted body perfectly. I feel truly safe. As consciousness fades, Cameron's face appears. This time not in nightmare form as it sometimes does, but smiling that crooked smile I fell in love with. I drift off, clinging to that image.

“Melanie.”

A gentle voice penetrates my cocoon of comfort. I try to ignore it, wanting to stay in this peaceful place.

“Melanie, honey, it's almost six.” Evelyn's familiar tone finally pulls me from sleep. I crack one eye open.

“Already?” Both eyes open now as I stretch languorously, still reluctant to leave this haven.

“You slept the whole afternoon,” she says, perched on the edge of my bed with that maternal smile I've missed so desperately. “I think you needed it.”

“I didn't expect to sleep that long.”

“Sometimes we don't know how exhausted we are until we feel safe enough to really rest.” Her hand squeezes my arm gently.

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