“What if they think I disobeyed them? They could have taken it out on her. What if they—”
Jayce rose, moved to the chair on the opposite side of the table in front of her untouched omelet, and pulled her down onto his lap.
He linked her hand with his. “I don’t think anybody has seen me, or Donkey Pizzle would’ve said something last night. To be honest, I don’t think anybody is watching you at all.”
“How can you say that? You don’t know… How do they know I’m home? They only call when I’m home.”
“But you wouldn’t know they called if you weren’t here. It’s not like they’re going to leave a voicemail.”
She heaved a huge, frustrated sigh.
“Okay, maybe someone is watching from outside,” he said. “But I stayed away from the windows, and I really don’t think anybody can see in from the street.”
“Unless they live across the street on the third or fourth floor…”
He rubbed circles over her back gently. In as quiet and calm a voice as he could manage, he said, “I know you’re anxious. I am too. We’ll get through this.”
She draped her arms around him and leaned her cheek against his forehead. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I don’t know what I’d do without you right now.”
Jayce cut off a piece of her omelet and fed it to her. He didn’t dare mention that he was going to follow her all day in bird form. On the other hand, if she looked up and saw him, she might have a fit right there in public.
No. He knew she wouldn’t put him in danger or do anything to put her mother in jeopardy. He’d have to risk it. But what could he do if she did run into trouble and needed him? Come to her rescue in another pink sweat suit three sizes too small?
Whatever he did, it would probably require some last-minute thinking. He liked knowing what to do. Even in a fire when he had to make decisions on the spot, there were protocols to follow, which helped. There were no protocols for this.
At last the phone rang, and she bounded off his lap, rushing to the counter where she’d placed it. Jayce was thankful for his supernatural hearing. He didn’t even have to lean in close to follow the conversation.
“Hello?”
“Are you ready for the next set of instructions?”
“Yes. I’ve been ready since last night. Why didn’t—”
“Shut up and listen.”
She paused with her mouth still open and then quickly interjected, “I was just going to say I have to go back to work tomorrow. This has to be over soon.” When he said nothing, she sighed and said, “All right. I’m listening.”
“Take the murse back to the spot where you picked it up in the park. You didn’t open the envelope, did you?”
“No. Of course not.”
“You say ‘Of course not,’ like ninety-nine percent of people wouldn’t do exactly that.”
“Well, I’m not about to place my mother’s life in jeopardy. I’ll do what you say in order to get her back.”
“Good. That’s very wise of you.”
“Will she be at the park?”
“No. As long as you carry out your part of the bargain, you’ll see her when you see her.”
She cursed under her breath. “How do I know she’s alive?”
“Hold on.” A moment later Donkey Pizzle said, “You can say hello. That’s it.”
“Mom?”
“I’m here.” Her mother didn’t sound as anxious as Kristine was. Maybe she was being treated better than her distraught daughter imagined.
