Page 43 of Wolf's Whistle
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The front door closed and Rémy exploded. “I can’t believe he asked for money.”
“Maybe he’s short of cash,” Richard interjected.
Armand came into the room. “He isn’t short of cash, but this was a big ask. He’s leaving himself short of protection. He’s calling men in from the Tri-State area. Julien, we have to call in your Enforcers from Washington and Oregon. This is only a temporary fix until Stawski is apprehended and that won’t happen unless Murphy finds the bullet and the gun. Which he probably wiped clean of fingerprints.”
“Richard seems as if he’s going to fall asleep standing up. Call Murphy, if he isn’t finished, you and Richard can stay in our guest room this evening,” Julio suggested.
“Tomorrow Julien can help Richard apply for entrance to NYU’s graduate program. Did you take your GREs, Richard?” Armand poured himself another cup of coffee and took a cream puff.
“Yes, right after I graduated. I scored one-sixty-five in Verbal and one-seventy inQuantitative.”
“By the gods, we have a genius in our midst. Those are terrific scores.” Sean’s enthusiasm for Richard’s future career at Garou was infectious.
Richard’s face heated. “I was the valedictorian. Garou tried to recruit me in my junior year but with Dad and Mom the way they were, I couldn’t commit to coming to New York.”
“You should be able to write your own ticket at NYU. We’ll apply online tomorrow.” Julien laughed. “Later, if you get bored with industrial engineering, you can go for another degree. You have three hundred years to fill.”
Richard smiled for the first time that evening. “Oh my God, you’re right. I don’t have to pick something for the rest of my life. I have years. I can graduate and then go back to school when I get bored and do something else.”
“That’s how all of us amassed so many degrees. As the world goes on, science, literature, and art change and venture off in new directions. You can keep up with the changes because your brain will stay young and nimble.” Armand continued, “I have degrees in English Literature, French Literature, an MBA from Wharton and an Engineering Degree from Columbia. Every twenty years we must pick up and move households. The entire board lays low for about ten years then set up shop in another city under different names. We use our time away for education and travel. I anticipate the pleasure of showing Sean the world.”
The doorbell rang. Théo came up. “There is a gentleman from Don Ferone downstairs. He said the wire transfer went through. I gather this was to let you know he was safe. He has a contingent of twenty men in four cars to escort Julien and Richard back to the house. What shall I tell him?”
Henri walked back into the room. “I called Murphy. The CSI people are finished. You can go back to the house. Murphy has called a glazier to come in the morning. I’m afraid the bullets pockmarked one of your walls but I’m sure it’s nothing Ian can’t fix.”
“Thank you, everyone, for your support. Julien, if it’s okay, I rather we slept in our own bed tonight as long as it’s safe.” Julien wrapped his arm around Richard’s shoulders.
“If Armand thinks it’s safe to leave, you’d be better off in your own bed.” Etienne patted Julien on his back.
“Go ahead…we all need some sleep and thanks to Don Ferone, we can get some.” Armand called for his coat. “Come on, baby, we’re going home.” A very sleepy Sean followed him out the door. They left in order of precedence and Julien and Richard were the last to go.
Richard hugged and kissed Julio and shook Etienne’s hand. “I thought I’d never have a friend like Julio again and now, because of you, Etienne, I have a Mate, I have Julio back, and thirteen others who are willing to stand by me in the face of a murderous cop. I don’t know what to say besides thank you.” Tears streamed down Richard’s cheeks.
“Thank you is sufficient,” Etienne answered. “You make my Julio happy. That’s thanks enough for me.”
Julien put his arm around Richard. “Come on, mon ange, you’ll feel better when we get home.”
“I want to be where you can hold me.” He rested his head on his wolf’s shoulder.
“Then that’s where we’ll go.” Julien walked him to the limousine. Four cars surrounded them the four blocks to home.
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When they arrived at the house, a dark-haired, green-eyed man from their escort followed them inside. “I’m Frankie Ferone, Don Ferone’s oldest son. My men are outside all around the block and on the rooftops. No one that doesn’t belong here is getting passed them.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ferone, we’re grateful. Richard means everything to me, and I can’t get my men from Oregon and Washington State here until tomorrow.” Julien pulled Richard in a little closer to his side.
“It wasn’t a really tough decision for my father. He detests the Serbs for their policy of ethnic cleansing. He lost a man who was like a brother to him in that conflict and my father thinks the worst offenders managed to escape to the United States.” Frankie put out his hand, and Julien shook it.
“Do you have a back garden?” Frankie glanced around the foyer.
“It’s only accessible from the house. I have six men here with me. I’ll post them in the back garden.” Julien didn’t want a Ferone inside his house.
“I’ll be in front should you need me.”
“Thank you again,” Richard said.
