Page 49 of Collin: Episodes 13-15
“You got them close. Now it’s time for other people to try.”
Ash grimaced. “Paulsen says we don’t have a specific address for a warrant and not enough for Child Protective Services to get involved. I got this whole list of things to look for that would help, but nada, zilch, zero.”
“You got a feeling though.” Collin pressed his lips together.
Ash nodded.
There was nothing either of them could do, so Collin went to his desk. Ten minutes before he needed to leave to pick up Mr. Reevesworth lunch from the front, the plug in his ass buzzed.
Collin clamped his cheeks together as if that would hide it. A quick glance around the office proved that no one had heard anything. He grabbed his phone and texted Mr. Moreau: Is that you, sir?
Mr. Moreau texted back a purple devil emoji. Collin smothered a groan.
I’m getting Master’s lunch, sir.
And what do you say, pet?
Collin blushed. Thank you, sir, for the reminder. Not that I needed it.
Collin hurried to pick up the lunch waiting with Carrie. Eleanor was in the office with Mr. Reevesworth when Collin stuck his head in.
Mr. Reevesworth waved him in and kept talking. “Well, if that’s all that’s going on, then we have to wait.”
Eleanor crossed her arms, tight angry lines around her eyes. “Unfortunately, that’s also my advice. However, in good news, we have the water line hook up for all the planned stations in this state. It’s passed the last legal challenge, and we’re free and clear.”
Mr. Reevesworth smiled, leaning back in his chair. “Good. Who was working that case?”
“Deborah Cohen. She’s been a great addition to the team since she came on two years ago. I’ve already given her more cases based on her work on this one.”
“I’ll have to remember her name. Pass on my appreciation. Having that done moves us along nicely. Which reminds me, Collin, I saw the proposal from you and Eliza. I’m happy to allocate budget to that. I’d like to see a few local advocates included, to foster conversation, and someone to lead the tour and teach. I have a short list. Ask Émeric to reach out to them on our behalf, will you?” He passed Collin his handwritten notes on the printout.
Collin took it. “You’ve included yourself, sir?”
“I won’t join the entire tour, but we can drop in on them for lunch or dinner one of the days.”
“Us, sir?”
“You and I, Collin. We’re both working on the project. And showing up in person tells them just how seriously we take it. Consider this a test run. If it goes well, we’ll arrange these imagination tours for each local station.”
Calm. Calm. Calm. Collin couldn’t help the wide grin that broke over his face. “Thank you, sir.”
Mr. Reevesworth waved away Collin’s gratitude, but a pleased smile lingered on his face.
Eleanor took her leave, hinting that she had a date, and Collin set out lunch for Mr. Reevesworth, himself, and Ash, who slipped in a moment later. Over the meal, Ash made his weekly general report.
Mr. Reevesworth scrolled through Ash’s document. “Your writing is getting much better, and I like the new sections and subsections. It makes it easier to read.”
Ash bit his cheek and nodded, eyes darting everywhere but Mr. Reevesworth’s face. “Bruiski said to do it.”
“Well, you did good. Paulsen put in an application to assign you training. What do you think about that?”
“I want to stay here.”
“You can. It’s training. Even though it’s with him, it just allows you to become certified. Did you two talk about this?”
Ash waggled his hand side to side. “He asked if I wanted to learn more; I said yes?” His voice went up in a question as if he wasn’t sure that counted as talking about it.
“I’ll approve it as long as you can keep up with your duties here and after your current extra work calms down.”
