Lawless Hero

I stepped in the apartment. “How do you always know when something’s wrong?”

“How long have I been your father?”

“Don’t remind me,” I said. “I’ve got a problem, and I thought you might be able to help me solve it.”

“What’s that, dear?”

“I need to sneak into a building unrecognized.”

He tilted his head to the side as he studied me. “You sure everything is okay? You can talk to me.”

“I know, Dad. Everything’s fine. It’s just… for my job.”

I hated lying to him, but he didn’t need to know the FBI was after me. Some things were better left unsaid.

“Well, you need a good disguise,” he said.

“Like a mask or something? Maybe a wig?”

He laughed. “If you want to look conspicuous, that will work. But if you want to blend in, you’ll need to do better than that. Lucky for you, I can help.”

Now I tilted my head. “When did you become such an expert at disguise?”

“It’s been helpful in my career.”

“As a traveling salesman?”

“Yes, dear, as a traveling salesman.”

We made eye contact for a few seconds. I looked away first, not ready to push him about his past. Right now, I just needed to get to Warren and convince him to agree to being in my story on the smuggling operation.

A few minutes later, Dad had me sitting on the toilet seat as he straightened a blond wig on my head. “Let’s accentuate your eyebrows and make you look foreign,” he said.

“No!” I objected.

He stepped back and peered down at me. “No?”

“I mean, it’s fine. As long as I look different.”

“That’s better,” he said, going back to work.

“How did you learn this?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Oh, don’t worry about that right now, dear. Let’s just finish your make-up.”

Forty-two minutes later, I looked like an entirely different person. When I saw my reflection in the mirror, I didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me.

“Well?” Dad asked.

I smiled. “This will work.”

“Go get your story,” he said. “Don’t be like me. I failed your mother, and—”

“Stop it, Dad! Seriously. You’re the best man I know. The only one I know who could pull off both roles for me growing up.” When he frowned, I put my hand on his arm and rubbed it gently. “Dad, I’m serious. I love you.”

“I love you too. Now go before you get emotional and smear your mascara.”

“Makeup tips from my salesman father. Gotta love it.”