Page 107 of The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The Second Collection
He nods before passing me an old-fashioned metal key and sitting back down to finish his pie.
I grab my bag and take it up with me. The room’s not fancy—no coffee pod machine here—but it’s comfortable and, for once, warm. I strip off my bullet-resistant hoodie and crash down across one of the beds. Before I call Cynnie, I arrange the pillows, pull out my tripod and set my phone in it so my hands are free, and grab some lotion and tissues. Tissues are something that haven’t been in short supply at any of the places we’ve stayed. Probably because this country is so chilly everyone has a perpetual sniffle.
Cynnie answers as soon as I call her. She’s in her bedroom, which is not a little’s bedroom in any way except for a lineof three stuffies on her bed. Everything else is tasteful but austere: white wood in modern lines, soft furnishings in pale grays. There’s a canvas of autumnal trees on the wall above the headboard, which is pretty but not Cynnie at all. My chest aches every time I see her room. She should be smothered in stuffies. Swaddled in soft, furry fabrics. She should have the cherry blossoms and bright daisies she loves on every wall.
I want to give that to my bumble. We didn’t buy comfortable chairs for my dining room or art for my walls before I left for England. We’re definitely shopping when I get back.
“Hey, my baby,” I say when she smiles at me.
“Oppa! I’z missed you so much! Where were you?”
“I had a crazy adventure today and had to change hotels, but I’m all settled now, and this new place is even warm. Isn’t it nice?” I pan the phone around so she can see the room with its two twin beds and small seating area by the window.
“It looks very nice,” she says, her lisp gone. “Why did you have to change hotels?”
“I don’t want to worry you, baby. It’s all good now.”
Her fine brows beetle. “The bad guys found you?”
I nod.
Her eyes sheen. “Please be careful.”
“I am being. Promise. And you know I think De Leon’s certifiable, but he knows his stuff. He got me clear as soon as I spotted the tail. The guy watching my vitals contacted me immediately and I got in touch with Logan, so he knows what’s going on, too. I have a lot of people watching my back. I’m as safe as I can be.”
She nods but looks down. Although they’re out of frame so I can’t see them, I bet she’s twisting her fingers together, something she does when she’s nervous.
“Tell me something good that happened today,” I say, to divert her.
“Nothin’ until now,” she says. Her eyes are still downcast, but her adorable lisp is back.
“I know that’s not true because you’ve already earned threegood girlsand are about to earn a growl.”
A smile peeps out. “I love our app. You’z never named it?”
“I didn’t.” I slap myself on the forehead. “How could I not have named it?”
“I think of names while you gone. Keep me busy.”
“What else have you been doing?”
She shrugs. “I made lunch for Baachan, one of her recipes, and she said it was perfect.”
“That’s my very good girl. I’m proud of you for doing nice things for your family.” I don’t get into her grandmother praising the food’s perfection. That’s something I want to get Cynnie away from—she doesn’t need to be perfect—what’s more important is trying to shore up her relationships with her family. “How’s your project for Orionex coming?”
“Another two days, I be done. Won’t be late.”
“See, there’s another good thing.”
She tips her head to the side and squints at me. “Thereally goodthing’s talking to my Oppa.”
“How about we do more than talk? Do you have some privacy?”
She grins. “House’s empty.”
“Take off that shirt, baby, and let me see those sweet tits that belong to me.”
She shivers and grins. “Yes, Oppa.”
