Page 29 of Barron

“Thank goodness I don’t. And many of us know the beautiful truth. But we’re wasting time.” He waved the paper. “I want to send the images to Shifter before we eat.” He took a photo and quickly typed a text to Shifter.

Hey, brother. I’d be grateful if you could figure out the origins of these symbols. I have no background information to give you. Sorry.

He pressed Enter and shoved his phone in his pocket.

“Now we can eat.”

After he prepped the sandwiches and poured the soup to heat up, he filled Caesar’s bowls with food and fresh water.

“Can I help?” she asked.

“Another time, princess. Maybe after you learn where everything is, Daddy will let you help. I also have to get you appropriate utensils and things.” He spoke as he took out placemats and set flatware on his small table. “This is a simple meal. I’ll be done in seconds.”

Once he grilled the sandwiches to a golden brown and took out the steaming soup, they sat down to eat. Caesar stretched out next to his feet.

“Does he beg?”

“Never. I’m not sure if he was trained that way or human food isn’t interesting enough for him.”

“You’re lucky. Mami’s cocker drools. He isn’t allowed near the table, so he stands a few feet away with this pathetic look and just drools and drools.” She laughed. “Makes Mami crazy.”

“Would make me crazy too,” he murmured, grateful for his amazing pup. Caesar had been an instant icebreaker and conversation maker.

“He’s close to you.” She leaned to the side, smiling at Caesar.

“The feeling’s mutual. I’d go crazy without him.” He was going to expand on the subject, but his phone vibrated in his shirt’s front pocket. “That’s Shifter.”

Yoanni nodded and returned her attention to her food. She was obviously giving him privacy to check his phone. He frowned, reading.

Where did you get those drawings? The research states the images are cosmograms used in Palo Mayombe, an old African religion transported to the Americas during the Spanish slave trade. What the fuck, man?

Thank you, brother.

Barron hit Send. Shifter’s response came back immediately.

Is that it? Are you involved in some Voodoo shit? I poked around the web. What I dug up says it’s the evil side of Palo Mayombe. Are you in trouble?

Barron sighed.

No trouble. Tell you more in person. Too complicated for a text. Get ready to explain. Blade called for a church meeting tomorrow. You’ll get the text any minute.

With perfect timing, Barron’s phone chimed. That had to be Blade’s text.

Got the text. C u tomorrow.

FU2, bro.

Chuckling, Barron read Blade’s succinct message.

Church tomorrow at noon.

He tucked his phone into his shirt pocket.

“Is everything okay?” Yoanni asked softly.

“Yeah… Shifter is kind of an intense guy. He’s an ace when it comes to research and tech stuff. But if he’s worried or wants an answer, he’ll pester you nonstop.”

“Did he find anything?” She put down the spoon—her soup was finished—and folded her hands on the table.

---