Page 112 of Family Bonds: Carter & Avery

“It’s a nice place to be in the dog house,” Carter said.

“You might find yourself in one later,” she said sarcastically.

Griffin laughed. “Have a seat. Can I get you guys anything to drink?”

“We’re good,” she said. “I need to know what is going on with Mike. I’m assuming he’s still here?”

“He is,” Griffin said. “Want to see him?”

“I don’t want to talk to him,” she said.

“No,” he said. “Follow me.”

They moved back toward the front door and a panel came down. Griffin swiped a badge, entered a code, his eye was scanned, her jaw dropped. This was like out of a movie.

The door opened and a whole room of TVs filled a wall with a computer and keyboard in the center.

“Jesus,” Carter said. “Talk about no secrets in this place.”

“It’s secure,” Griffin said. “And I take it this will stay quiet? I know you never say much, Carter.”

“I won’t say anything,” Avery said. She was shocked this was being shared with her.

“Good,” Griffin said. He started to punch into the keyboard and then bought up a guy sitting in front of a blackjack table. “There he is.”

“Yeah,” she said. “He hasn’t changed much other than some weight on him. He looks pretty unkempt.”

“He’s been there drinking for hours,” Griffin said.

“I hope he loses his shirt,” she said.

“I think he has,” Griffin said.

They moved back out of the room and returned to the living room and sat. “What do you know about him?”

“He’s heavily in debt. Gambling,” Griffin said.

“So I see,” she said. “Does he have a job?”

“He does,” Griffin said. “He’s working construction but is laid off right now for the winter.”

“So he’s got time to gamble his unemployment away.”

“Winters aren’t as harsh in West Virginia. He’s only been out of work for a few weeks. My guess is he’ll be back soon,” Carter said.

“My thought too,” Griffin said.

“Do you think that is why it’s taken him so long to figure out where I was? It’s not like I’m hiding. An internet search would show where my practice was. I’m not sure how he got my cell phone number, but he could have easily called the clinic or emailed me there.”

“It’s not that hard to get someone’s personal cell phone if they don’t know how to hide it,” Griffin said.

“I’ll take your word for it. I haven’t needed to hide it.”

“I’m not sure why it’s taken him so long other than in the past month he’s lost more than he’s won.”

“He actually wins?” Carter asked.

“Everyone wins at times, but the house always takes it in the end,” Griffin said.

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