“Okay, what did she tell you about the kid?”
“The ricin you mean?” I nodded my head yes.
“Well, she only used part of the husk of one bean, ground it into a powder and slipped it into his drink while everyone else was in class.”
“How did she get into his locker?”
“Seriously? After all this you think that that would be a problem for her?”
“She didn’t tell you huh.”
“Nope, said she has to keep some of her secrets. I have my equipment out in the car, anytime you’re ready I’ll find whatever it is she has in the house.”
My life, never a dull moment. I wonder what Caitiebear thinks about what’s written on that piece of paper. No doubt she remembers getting the email from Friends of Alice, but she didn’t mention that her little sister was playing detective.
Maybe Kat’s right, maybe I’ve been so busy being a protector that I’d made it so my kids were afraid of me, afraid to come to me with shit. Nah, Mengele sure the fuck isn’t.
KAT
The men were in Colton’s office so I had some breathing room. Cierra and I had been putting our heads together all evening trying to figure out a way around Colton and his psychosis, now we’re calling in reinforcements. For all that she’s a federal agent, her husband doesn’t tell her anything either, so we have to go digging on our own.
I’ve learned a lot since meeting these women. It’s like Colt likes to tease, I have my own little hen pack. Even though we don’t all live in the same neighborhood, we’re just a phone call away, which works out just as well. It would be good though if our husbands didn’t keep giving us shit to worry about. Seems like every other week there’s something to think about. This week it’s Caitlin and her guy.
I pulled out all the stops today, first sending Todd up to Caitlin’s room then inviting him to spend the night. Now the Colton Lyon I know and love would’ve pulled the house down around our ears if I’d done either of those things a year ago, even a few months ago. So the fact that all I got were a few grumbles tells me that we’re making progress.
“I don’t know Cierra, something’s up with him, he’s too accommodating.”
“Yeah, he didn’t lose it when I called Todd your son in law, well not in his usual way anyway. So maybe what we’re dealing with here isn’t so much about Todd and Caitlin’s relationship and more about outside forces.”
“That’s what I’m thinking. The little one knows something, but I have to wait until her father is out of the house to get it out of her, let’s see what the girls know.” Every week us ladies get together and try piecing together what it is that our husbands are up to.
Last week we were dealing with Illyana’s dad and we came up with the idea of inviting the senator to Mancini’s island. That way no one would have ears and eyes on us. It was a breeze getting Colt to agree so now that’s that.
Now I have to salvage what’s left of my baby’s teenage years before Colton make a mess of things. The way he’s acting the girl’s gonna leave home and never come back.
We called the ranch first and then called the compound in Georgia, making sure the coast was clear. “Any news?”
“Illyana’s daddy is running for president.”
“What, where’d you hear that Dana-Sue?”
“I overheard Law telling the guys, he doesn’t know that I heard him, but apparently Hank told him.” I looked at Cierra who was lounging back on my bed.
“First I’m hearing of it and it’s not in the news.” Not like this is the first time her husband knew something he shouldn’t.
“We have to move fast then, July fourth still good?”
“It’ll have to be. By then everyone would’ve given birth, but don’t they announce their candidacy in June or something?”
“Doesn’t matter Ginger-Lee, it’s better to get this thing out of the way as soon as possible, unless you’re thinking we should do it sooner.”
“I’m not sure, I’m just thinking about how it would look if he announces and then we come out of the woodwork, wouldn’t he think that we’re just some goofs trying to rain on his parade?”
“You might have a point. What do you think Illyana?”
“I don’t see how we can get around it, unless I just call him up now out of the blue, which I don’t want to do.”
“Oh dear, I was calling to get some help with Caitie’s problem but that seems so mundane in the face of this new development.”
“Of course it’s not. I’ve been thinking about this.” Gabriella piped in and we all fell silent as she gave us her idea.
“You and his mother are on good speaking terms right?”