Page 74 of For The Days We Can't Forget

“Are you with Mia and Ben?”

“We’re here,” Mia answered, her shoulders getting rigid at his abruptness. “What happened?”

“Are you in the company?”

“Yes.”

“I’m coming to you, then. Be there in a few.”

He disconnected the call, and we instructed Haley to let him in as soon as he showed up. True to his words, he arrived a few minutes later, with all severity and professionalism.

He glared at Mia and headed to the couch in the corner. “You didn’t answer your phone. Again.”

“You know I never do,” she sang. “Everything okay?”

He rubbed his fingers over his mouth. “I’m not sure. The results from the lab were taking too long. Longer than I expected, even if they’re overwhelmed.”

“Why do you think that is?”

He peered at me, and just then I noticed he didn’t look his proper self. His clothes weren’t as pristine as usual, and his eyes were red and rounded with dark circles.

“I think someone was boycotting it. I was afraid it may jeopardize what we’ve been doing,” he motioned his hand, indicating us, “so I took the samples back and gave them to a friend.”

“Ariel?”

He nodded at Mia. “She once mentioned this guy she trusts. He’s good at what he does and discreet. He called me this morning to say he got the results from the genetic material.”

“The ones regarding Matias and a possible relative?” I questioned.

He nodded again. “The manis meeting us here. I wanted somewhere safe where I could run the results in the system without people looking over my shoulder. And that way, you could learn about it with me.”

I tipped my chin. “Weappreciate that.”

“He’s about to get here, and we need to be on our best behavior,” Aaron warned.

Raising one eyebrow, Mia scrutinized him. “That’s an odd request. What are you not telling us?”

Without looking her in the eye, he answered as assertively as he could, “I’m just saying we need to be professional. This is important, and we need to act accordingly.” He should’ve known a stern voice wouldn’t stop her.

“We always are, so no need to remind us. Who is the guy, Aaron?”

“He’s someone who is helping us tremendously.”

Ben frowned and leaned his head. “Why are you reluctant to tell us his name?”

I didn’t know why he was being so secretive, but how bad could it be? “Come on, man. Just out with it. Rip the Band-Aid off before the guy arrives.”

Fidgeting in his seat, he still played the somber dominant. “Mr. Bonner is a busy man, and he could be bringing us the breakthrough we need.”

Mia, Ben, and I stared at each other in silence until she couldn’t take it anymore. “Did you say ‘Mr.Bonner?’ His name isBonner?”

“That’s his last name,” he admitted begrudgingly.

“What’s his first name?” Ben asked, his eyes lighting up.

He took in a deep breath and rubbed his lips. “His name is Richard.” I snorted loudly, and he glared at me. “Please, don’t encourage them.”

“So, he’sDick Bonner?” She was vibrating in her seat, a look of joy only an eleven-year-old could have. I was certainly displaying the same emotion. “Their parents didn’t raise a son; they raised an enemy.”

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