Page 82 of Homecoming

“I’m glad you’re enjoying this so much.”

“Let’s get off here. We can walk back to the Jeep. It’s not far.”

“Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Of course. They’ve got this down to a science.” She turned to Bertha. “We’re going to bug out here. Dan has some work to tend to. Thank you for a magical day.”

“My pleasure, honey. I hope you enjoyed it, too, Dan.”

“It was fascinating. I have all-new respect for you and everyone who does this for a living—and I’ll never look at a lobster the same way again.”

“Then we’ve succeeded in our mission,” Bertha said. “I’ll see you at home.”

“I’m making dinner,” Kara said. “We’ll hit the grocery store on the way. Any special requests?”

“You still make that pasta thing?” Buster asked.

“The chicken tortellini?”

“Yeah, that. I love it.”

“I love it, too,” Dan said.

Kara smiled at her uncle. “I’ll get right on that.”

“Only if you feel up to it, honey,” Bertha said. “Don’t do too much.”

“I feel great, and I want to cook for you.”

“Then I won’t say no to that. See you soon.”

After a quick stopat the grocery store, Dan and Kara arrived back at Bertha’s to find the street lined with news trucks and other vehicles that nearly blocked their path to the house.

“What the hell?” Dan muttered.

“Looks like they’ve figured out where the celebrity attorney is staying.”

“Awesome.”

Dan drove around the people and vehicles to pull into the driveway. “Text Bertha and Buster to warn them about what they’re coming home to and then go inside and stay there. I don’t want you anywhere near this.”

“Will you be all right?”

“Of course. I’ll give them what they want and send them on their way.”

“What do they want?” Kara asked with a tentative glance at the gaggle of reporters.

“Something they can use in their stories. Don’t worry, love. I know how to manage them, and when we’re done here, I’ll ask them to move along. Can you handle the groceries?”

“Yeah, I got it.”

“Don’t worry. Everything’s fine. This is actually an opportunity.”

“For what?”

“To start introducing some reasonable doubt.” He smiled. “Go on in. As soon as you’re safely inside, I’ll go deal with them.”

“In case I’ve forgotten to say it today, thank you.”

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