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“Nonsense!” Pat Rosenthal stood up and shook her hand. “I’m Patrick Rosenthal. Are you the interpreter Mick hired?”
“Yes.” She shook his hand firmly. “Melina Lakkas. It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Rosenthal.”
“My friends call me Pat,” he said.
“Hank Dawson.” Hank shook her hand as well. “Your help with this project is greatly appreciated and your little boy is very charming!”
“Thank you.” She gripped Mihalis’ hand. “Let me clear this stuff and—”
“Don’t be silly. I’m anxious to try this sou—what did you call it, young man?”
Mihalis grinned. “Tsoureki!”
“Let me get a knife and butter,” Lena smiled. “That’s the best way to enjoy it!” She let go of Mihalis’ hand and with a quick look at Mick, went into the kitchen.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” Mick asked, settling into a chair across from them. “I would’ve sent a car for you.”
Pat arched a brow. “Loren told you we were coming… didn’t he?”
“Loren met a girl at the beach yesterday and we haven’t seen him since,” Mick shrugged. “So no, I had no idea.”
Pat made a face, shaking his head. “I keep hoping the boy is going to grow up, but it seems he’s still that same college kid who was more interested in partying than studying.”
“We were all more interested in partying than studying,” Mick grinned. “But a good number of us figured out how to do both.”
“And this is why we chose you for this project,” Pat said with a wink. “Though I wasn’t expecting such an attractive interpreter.”
“Lena and I knew each other in college,” Mick said. “She’s my best friend’s sister.”
Hank grinned. “Beauty and brains, son—that’s what we all hope for!”
“Here we are, gentlemen.” Lena came out with a tray that included a knife, butter and four cups of coffee. Why don’t you get started while I go get Raegan.”
“My assistant,” Mick added.
“I was a little concerned at her lack of resume,” Pat said, taking a cup of coffee from Lena. “But from what I’ve seen, she’s doing a phenomenal job. Are you going to try to keep her?”
“As long as I can,” Mick said. “She finishes her master’s in December and I don’t know that she’s going to want to be anyone’s assistant for long. My hope is that she’ll stay for this project and move on with something solid on her resume.”
Pat nodded. “Good thinking.”
“Good morning.” Raegan came in looking very un-Raegan like in a pressed linen dress. It had short sleeves so the edges of the tattoos on her right arm showed, but the others were all covered except for the band of thorns around her ankle. She wore no makeup and her hair had been pulled back so the bright pink streaks blended in with the rest.
“You must be Ms. Warner,” Pat said, standing up.
Introductions were made and Lena surreptitiously guided Mihalis out of the room after he insisted on shaking both Pat and Hank’s hands like the adults had done.
“Kid’s a pistol,” Pat chuckled. “Reminds me of one of my grandkids—except she’s a girl.”
Talk finally turned to work and Mick told them everything he knew, from what the investigators and police had to him, to Lena getting replacement permits and Raegan already replacing most of the necessary physical documents. He also mentioned Loren’s bad work habits.
“I know he’s your nephew, sir, but I’m not going to be able to get things done if I’ve got someone under me who threatens me on a daily basis.”
The older man sighed. “My only sister’s only child,” he said. “Kid has some talent, but no work ethic, no desire to make something of himself. Didn’t grow up with a father and I only got involved in his life in high school. He did well the first year of college but then started to fall off again. I’m not sure what happened, but I thought he’d turned around after I gave him a job and offered to pay for him to finish his degree online. He seems to think showing up is enough to earn his paycheck and I’m trying my damnedest to show him that’s not how it works. I’m afraid firing him will just show him he’s the loser everyone thinks he is.”
“If you give me the authority, sir, I can try to whip him into shape.”
Pat nodded. “You’ve got it. Do what you think is best and if he gives you any trouble, give me a call.”
