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I like this coffee machine. I think I should get one for home. Wherever home is going to be after this New York trip is over.
The first meeting with the family went badly. At least now Kalo is here. I can have him gather some more information on my behalf. I want to know if anyone is on my side. At least those who aren’t are very vocal about it so far. I need to build up a team of people I can trust. Perhaps people who were close to my father. I don’t even know yet who he got on with? Did he get on with my uncle? My cousins? They seem like such bitter, power-hungry people.
I pick up the two coffee cups filled with steaming, frothy cappuccinos and turn to find Seraphina standing in the kitchen doorway, rubbing her eyes.
I put the coffee cups down and lift her into my arms, muzzling against her neck.
She giggles and wraps her arms around my neck.
“Did you sleep well?”
“I did. Did you?”
“Yes, I have a meeting this afternoon, around lunchtime. Then, after that, I'm free. Do you want to go for dinner with me tonight?”
She reaches behind me for her coffee and sips it, closing her eyes for a moment.
“I wanted to ask you a favor. The address that the old lady from the shop gave me, I thought that if he lived there, perhaps one neighbor remembers him? I'm nervous about going there alone because when I looked online, it didn’t look like the best of neighborhoods. I don’t just want to go knocking on doors without some kind of muscular looking back up. Will you go with me?” She grins.
“If you need muscle for backup, I'm the right man for the job. Can you wait until after lunch, though?”
“Sure, of course. Tomorrow is fine too.”
“No, today is good. I’ll keep you updated about what time the meeting ends.”
She nods and carries her coffee out onto the balcony. We sit together, watching the morning light grow brighter and stretch across the city.
At lunchtime, I go down to Kalo’s room. She doesn't need to know that I'm having my meeting in the hotel or that it's with Kalo.
I know she and Kalo don't see eye to eye, to say the least. Kalo is set against her, but I hope to change that.
“Ant, how are you, man? Come in.”
I step inside his more modest, yet still very luxury room.
He pours us each a drink and sits down in the living room with me.
“So, what is it you want me to get to work on?”
Straight to business, I like this about him. He knows when to fuck around and when to focus.
“I’ll give you the names of everyone I know of here in New York. I want to know how they connect to each other and who gets on with whom. If you can find out whether my father liked them, then that would be a tremendous bonus.”
“Consider it done. When is reading the will?”
“Soon. So, I need the info ASAP.”
“Do you want to grab something to eat?”
“No, I have plans with Seraphina this afternoon. I don’t want to keep her waiting longer than I have to.”
He rolls his eyes. I throw him a warning look.
“Come on, man. You know how I feel about her. I won’t hide that from you. I’d rather be honest with you.”
“But what is your actual problem with her? What did she do to you?”
“Nothing, yet, but that is my problem. I don’t trust her not to. I just have a feeling she is up to something. I’ll figure it out.”
