Page 114 of Emergency Exit
Mel switched inputs, shutting down the Christmas photos, and a jostling video started. It looked as if someone was running. The video settled down, and Harper recognized the pier at Bell Harbor. Two men were standing at the end of the dock. As the person holding the camera got closer, she realized it was Mason and Ash.
“Oh!” exclaimed Harper as Ash punched Mason in the face. Mason attempted to come in for a tackle, but Ash punched him again, and then he began to run toward the swaying gangplank at the end of the dock.
The footage switched to a higher angle, and Harper thought they must have had a drone on site.
Two large men were running to meet Ash from the small speed boat in the water, but Ash didn’t stop. Instead, there was a flurry of kicks and punches that Harper couldn’t follow, and then Ash jumped off the dock into the speedboat. In the video, there was more running and shouting from the police.
“Oh,” said Harper. “That’s when you came to get me. Thanks.”
“Uh...” said Forest, and Olly snatched a cookie from his hand.
“Unca Ash kick!” said Olly.
“Yeah!” exclaimed Chloe, taking the cookie away from Olly. “Wasn’t that a great spinning sidekick? Ash, your instructor will be so proud! You implemented your training perfectly. Teddy, play it again. I don’t think I caught everything. Can we make it do slo-mo?”
“What training?” asked Rowan.
“Yeah, what training?” Forest echoed.
“In karate,” said Harper.
They both looked at her as if she’d grown a second head.
“He’s a red belt,” said Rose, and they both pivoted to look at their mother. “He’s very good.”
“I’m sorry, everyone,” said Rowan. “The Valkyrie brothers need a minute on the balcony. Please watch my baby brother beat up some Russian spies a few more times. Teddy, I’m going to need that on DVD. We’ll be right back. You two, with me.”
Rowan gestured sharply, and Forest handed Olly over to Chloe.
“Be right back,” muttered Ash.
“Baby...” said Rose, flapping her hands, and Harper wasn’t sure whichbabyshe was referring to. But the balcony door closed without any of them responding to their mother. Rose looked nervously at Harper. “I shouldn’t have said that about karate. He’s always so private.”
“It’s fine,” said Vivian. “This is a great chance for them to talk.”
“Their relationship is based on love and respect,” said Chloe. “But it’s time they moved toward more openness.”
“Ash is worried they’ll make fun of him,” said Harper.
“They wouldn’t,” said Vivian, looking surprised.
“I think he’s been stuck in an old pattern,” said Harper.
“No,” said Rose, looking immeasurably sad. “He’s stuck inmyold pattern.”
36
Ash
Valkyrie Team Meeting
Ash shut the door gently behind him.
“Really? We’re in the middle of a party. This can’t wait?”
“No, damn it,” said Rowan. “It can’t. I have been holding my tongue, hoping that you will pull your head out of your ass, but no. What the fuck, Ash! What haven’t you been telling us?”
“I was going to tell you about Emma,” protested Ash. “I told you on text.”
