Page 15 of Benga's Rise
Cort looks unsettled. I sit and glance at Pooh-bah Dan. He looks worse. “Want me to order drinks up?”
“They’ll be here after Inner Circle gets in. Dan isn’t alone in a room with Web so it’s never noted.”
I nod, but it takes me a second to get that. No ties from Web to Masons is the point.
When Falcon, Banks, Amos, Hade, Jinx and Brinks show, Cort stands. “Web and the As are under a shield that started with Crow. My father passed that to me. If at any time help is needed for them, the Mason’s have a hand out.” He passes a card to all of us. “Call that number and say the words on the back. They have the ability and places to keep the As covered. Both Rex and Seren can help you communicate with the As if Web isn’t close. We have others shielded. You know what it means. Web can’t answer your questions just because he’s a Brother and you’re close. He was the As first shield and because of that, needs a shield. Be that for him and the As.”
“Roger, Boss.” Comes from all of us and I put the card in my wallet. When I look up, I see Falcon and Jinx doing the same. We all look back at Cort.
Pooh-bah Dan smiles, shaking his head, he looks at Cort too. “That was it, thanks, Brothers. Falcon, if you have a minute. Raid, stay.”
I sit back down and wait some more. Falcon looks torn. “I’ll cover training,” Brinks tells him and Falcon sits. Web walks out like this meet wasn’t about him. I smile watching the door close.
“Falcon, this is Dan, the Grand Master of the Masonic order,” Cort says, then goes to the door opening it for the Prospect with drinks. Falcon is surprised. Twice in one day has me feeling lucky to be here as a witness. I shake it off. He was surprised a couple of times yesterday too.
“I talked to McCabe Sr, just this morning. Are you here about the kids?”
Pooh-bah Dan smiles. “No, but I’m having lunch with Stanley so I’m sure I’ll hear about it. I was told of your interest in the order. I’m offering to answer any questions you have and I have an offer for you.”
Again, Falcon is surprised. I smile. Cort interrupts. “Dan, we don’t need Falcon’s questions or the inner workings of the order. We’ll be in my office if you need us.”
Dan stands and shakes Cort’s hand. “The doctor?”
“Call me with the date and time and I’ll have a room set up. I’d like to set up a standing set of appointments so nothing is missed. We’ll work around the doctor’s schedule.”
“I’ll get you the date. Thank you, Cort and Raid. I’m greatly relieved we spoke today.”
I shake Pooh-bah’s hand but don’t say a word. I didn’t speak to him today, but I leave it alone.
Cort thumbs in and drops in one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Fucking hell.”
I sit on the couch and watch him. “Web grew up in an orphanage. He’s got no clue about shots and shit. The As have never seen anyone but Patcher and that was for minor stuff. Crow never gave me anything about getting them taken care of. All I got was a name I could never say. He said,in case it ever came up. How the fuck did he expect me to shield them with only that?”
“David?” I ask, knowing I shouldn’t or he may not answer.He barely nods. “Fuck, Brother. So, a doctor is coming and they’ll be taken care of now. They don’t go anywhere so that’s a good thing.”
He shakes his head. “Caelan got a shot in the hospital, he’ll get more on his first doctor visit. The As can’t be around him.”
Oh, fuck, fatal. “Live viruses and they’re not covered, then the two that are fatal.”
“Yeah, Web doesn’t understand, but he’s telling them now that they're quarantined here until they see the doctor, who isn’t a doctor, but a genetic scientist. Dan says he gave the paperwork to Crow. I never got it. My father didn’t have it. Where the fuck is it?”
Jesus, that’s a scary thought. “Pooh-bah Dan said he has it, so he gave a copy?”
He laughs then bends over laughing. When he calms, he looks less stressed. “Leave it to you, Brother, to lighten me up. Pooh-bah Dan does it. Thanks. Yeah, it was a copy, but it’s still missing.”
“Maybe Rex is holding it.”
He smiles and pulls his phone. Before I know it, we’re riding to Rex’s.
I’m never gonna make dinner on time.
~*~
I’m an hour late for dinner, but Seren doesn’t care. She made me a plate, then a plate to take home. Food is good, but I came for Caelan. Hade has him right now, but I’m taking him as soon as I’m finished eating.
“Seren, you’re an amazing chef. Thanks for dinner, it’s always better than I’ve ever had.”
She smiles with her eyes shining. “Thanks, Raid. I wish I were a chef. I just follow my mom’s recipes.”
