Page 23 of Carnival Queen

“I-I’ve never seen them,” she stammered. “I didn’t know they existed.”

“Is there a specific combination of numbers he would have used?” asked Gaspar. Deanna stood, staring down at the black dials. She nodded and reached across, turning the dial carefully. They heard the click on the first one, then the second one.

“My birthdate,” she whispered.

Ian opened the boxes and pulled out four large manila folders. Jean immediately opened them, beginning to review what he was seeing. On top of the first group of folders was a letter addressed to Deanna. He handed it to her, and she read it aloud.

Our darling Deanna

You have been our world, and we are so very proud of you. Take these files to Irene’s sons. They own a security company and will know what to do with them. You need to get them away from you. No matter what happens, no matter how desperate things might seem, do not accept any employment offers from Peck, Barnham, & Dodd and do not do any work at all for Douglass & Jackson Construction. This will explain it all.

We love you, Deanna. Be happy.

“Be happy. What the hell does that mean?” she said, looking at the men with tears in her eyes. “How am I supposed to be happy with them gone? Why keep all this a secret? Why hide this?”

“This is going to get very nasty,” said Jean.

“God,” said Deanna, pushing back the chair. She stood and paced the room, pushing the loose strands of hair from her face. A face that was already swollen from crying earlier was now so puffy she could barely see.

“Deanna, honey, we will make this right. I think it gives us something to look at. Someone to look at for your parents’ murders,” said Ian.

“Why? Why wouldn’t he have told me about this? How in the hell was I supposed to know that he’d hidden these folders in those damn boxes? Am I supposed to be some sort of magician? I’m an adult! I’m a CPA just like him. Why wouldn’t he have shared all of this with me?”

“Sweetie, we’re not sure,” said Ian, “but if I put myself in your folks’ shoes, I would have done it believing that when the parade preparations rolled around, you might have opened the boxes.”

“Well, I didn’t! I didn’t, and now I’m in a mess, and I’ve put you and your families in a mess, and I have to leave.” She started to walk out the door, and Ghost blocked her, shaking his head.

“I don’t want to do it, Deanna, but if you force me, I’ll lock you in that cottage. You can’t leave, honey. Douglass and Jackson are looking for this information, and they believe you have it. If we’re right and they killed your parents, they won’t hesitate in killing you as well.”

She stared at the older man, horrified by his words. Finally, exhausted and confused, she leaned her head forward, bracing her forehead against Ghost’s chest.

“I don’t know what to do,” she cried. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head.

“I know, honey. But we do. You trust us. I know that you do. Trust us to fix this and make it right. Trust us to keep you safe and make sure that you’re okay and away from danger.”

“How? I have to make a living. I have to finish what I started with the parade. I can’t walk away from that.”

“Well, the work thing is easy,” said Jean. “You’ll join me, Ella, Rose, Miriam, Tinley, and Ro in our accounting firm. Great pay, comes with the cottage you’re already in, and you won’t have to leave the property.”

“I thought that was temporary.”

“Honey, we need the help. You being here is a blessing for us,” said Jean. “I need you on the team full-time. As for leaving the property, that may be only temporary, but we’ll have to see. Okay?”

“What about your families? If Douglass and Jackson are dangerous, I’m putting all of you in danger.”

“Deanna,” smiled Gaspar, “do you know what we did in our former lives? Do you understand what we do now?”

“Dad said you were in the Army.”

“That’s true,” nodded Gaspar, “but not the regular Army. I was a Ranger, Special Forces. Nine, Ian, and Ghost were all Navy SEALs. Jean and the rest of my brothers were Rangers. Trak was Delta. Zeke was a Green Beret. We’ve got ex-CIA, FBI, DEA, SOG, Coast Guard, Air Force, everything. We’re not your average operator.”

“I-I had no idea,” she stuttered. “It just feels like another secret kept from me. I should have known.”

“No reason for you to have known,” said Jean.

“Alright. I want to help with all of this. I’ll do what you say, but please don’t risk anyone for me. I couldn’t live with myself if someone got hurt.” Jean smirked and nodded.

“We’ll dive into this in the morning. Come on. I’ll walk you back to your cottage.” When she was gone, the men stared at one another, looking down at the open folders.

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