The Mysterious Stranger (The Confidence Game 3)

“Easy for you to say.” Shavonne frowned. “I thought I was smarter than that. I’m angry, so incredibly angry. They’re saying there’ll be counseling, help to get resettled, and find new jobs. I don’t want to go back to teaching but I’ve got an idea. Friend of mine has an amazing original recipe for barbecue sauce. Maybe we’ll go into business, make ourselves rich and safe that way.”

Rory could guess who that friend was, and that Cal could find the money to start up a business to bring Macy’s barbecue sauce to the world. One good thing to come out of Abundance.

It was no surprise that when she got to Cadence’s cabin it was closed tight.

“Cadence. Open up.”

Nothing.

“I know you’re in there.” There was no way she’d be wandering around outside in the confusion. “I came to see if you’re okay and to explain if you’ll let me.”

Nothing.

“You don’t ever have to see me or Zeke again. We want you to know no one will ever make you be with someone you don’t want to be with ever again.”

The Zeke was deliberate. It was the key.

“Who are you?” Cadence peered out from a slit in the open door.

Not ex-addict, poor little rich girl Rosie Woods. Not Rory Archer, uncertain and needing to prove herself anymore.

“My name is Aurora Archer. Zack’s real name is Zeke Sherwood. He’s not my brother.”

“That’s a relief.” The door opened a little wider. “The whole incest thing was too kinky for me. Are you lovers?”

Once she’d have laughed that off. A simple nod made flowers bloom in the middle of her chest.

Cadence came out on the porch and they sat on the steps. “You’re imposters. Fakes.”

“We came here undercover because we suspected there was a lot wrong in Abundance. You’ll get the help you need to start again.”

“I could just stay here.”

“Or you could move to a nice town and get a library card, an internet connection, Netflix, a local p

izza place that delivers, and a couple of cats.”

“I hate cats,” Cadence said, though she was smiling. “The world wasn’t kind to me. That’s why I was an addict. I don’t want to go back out there.”

“I’m not going to suggest it will be easy, but you won’t have to do it alone. We’ll make sure you have as much support as you need, for as long as you need it.”

“Who is we?”

“My family. Busting bad guys is what we do for fun.”

Cadence shook her head. “I don’t want the details.”

Probably just as well. As far as the FBI was concerned, they were philanthropists on a mission. It was a carefully cultivated version of the truth that didn’t get them arrested for their other less legal vigilante activities. “How do you feel about dogs?”

They settled on an easy-care goldfish for Cadence’s emotional support animal, after rejecting peacocks, wombats, sloths and goats, both of them laughing at the idea.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you the truth,” Rory said.

“I wouldn’t have wanted to know it. I was busy trying to hide in here, pretending there wasn’t something rotten about this place. I have a good friend in Ojai, California, and since it’s still part of the United States, and if she’ll forgive me for leaving her behind, I think I’d like to move there, me and my emotional support goldfish.”

That could be arranged. They ended the visit with a hug, an exchange of shoes for Rory and Zeke’s contact details and a promise that Cadence was welcome to be in touch anytime.

It was more likely Cadence got two Ojai strays and called them Rosie and Zack.