Page 75 of Facade

But he was feeling positive about their chances of discovering more information. Heath approved of Russell taking time to strategize. He wouldn’t waste time chasing ghosts, or be distracted from the objectives.

Seeing the message that Clarke was willing to include Nadine, Roger, and Brady was a huge relief to Heath. He had already dodged four more calls from his parents and sister. This deception was weighing heavily on him even after just a few days.

It had to be ten times harder for Clarke, pretending to be someone she wasn’t. Heath was glad that he could provide a safe place for her to be herself without fear of being exposed. The acute relief on Clarke’s face every time she removed the charm bracelet proved how vital that was to her state of mind.

On Tuesday after classes, the three of them had a video conference call. They decided to invite Nadine and her husbands over to Heath’s house on Saturday. The meeting with Russell would be held on Sunday.

Heath called Nadine immediately after disconnecting with Clarke and 007. “Suddenly, you aren’t avoiding me? That’s an abrupt turnaround,” she said. “What the hell is going on, Heath?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Grrr. Little brothers are more trouble than they’re worth,” Nadine complained. “I’m tempted to strangle you with my bare hands.”

“But then there would be no hope of getting information out of me,” Heath teased. “I called to invite the three of you to lunch on Saturday.”

“Why not come over here like you usually do?” Nadine asked suspiciously.

“I’ve been given permission to discuss this with you. We’ll talk about it on Saturday. My house is a better place for this conversation. You’ll understand after everything has been explained,” he said.

“But you’re making me wait the better part of a week. That’s cruel, Heath,” Nadine said with exasperation. “What on earth could be such a big secret?”

“Most of it is good, and you’ll be happy,” Heath said. “The secrets aren’t mine, so I would be betraying a confidence by blabbing. The person in question agreed that you can be trusted. We’ll have more time to talk about everything in detail on the weekend.”

“So, this involves someone else,” Nadine commented in a considering tone. “Now I’m even more curious, and have no idea what to think. My mind is running in circles.”

“Just come over on Saturday.”

“I’m leaning toward throttling you again,” Nadine said with enough fervency to be unsettling.

“I love you, sis,” Heath declared cheerfully.

“Whatever,” Nadine said with an annoyed huff. “I might remember that I love you on the weekend, but I’m not feeling it right now.”

When the call ended, Heath relaxed. That had been easier than he’d expected. Nadine was stubborn, and could be difficult to dissuade.

Twenty minutes later, his phone chimed with a text from their parents. Nadine must have called in reinforcements. His mom and dads said they just wanted to know if he was ok.

Heath replied that he was perfectly fine, and things were going well at the college. To his relief, they left it at that, saying that as long as he was well, they could be patient.

The week went by smoothly. From students to faculty, everyone seemed more relaxed without Mitch to deal with. While Ray didn’t perform his duties at the same level as Clarke and Jace, he was doing a good job with the casters.

Heath and Clarke spoke every night, mostly about the plan to move the feral cats. They would do that on Saturday after the talk with Nadine. Being animal lovers was one more thing they had in common.

The football team had a home game Friday night. Nadine saved them all seats, as had become her habit. Lane seemed to be developing a good relationship with the elemental students.

Russell joined them, sitting next to Lane. He greeted everyone casually, giving no indication that Clarke was anyone other than who and what she appeared to be. Jace and Heath relaxed by degrees when everyone continued to act normally.

Heath was impressed with Russel’s aplomb, and knack for subterfuge. If he didn’t know better, he would think that Russell was unaware of Clarke’s real identity.

As usual, Clarke and Nadine were deep in conversation before the game started, and during halftime. Heath couldn’t wait to see the look on his sister’s face when she realized that Clarke was a woman, and his mate. It would be priceless.

The Ravens won, putting all of them in excellent moods. Heath made a quick getaway before Nadine had a chance to interrogate him again.

At his request, Clarke and Jace got to Heath’s house at ten on Saturday morning. After hugging Clarke, Heath said, “I have to pick up a few things in town, but I shouldn’t be long. Make yourselves at home.”

“We could have waited until you ran your errands,” Clarke said.

“It’s just a couple of things I thought of at the last minute,” Heath said untruthfully, as he took his car keys down from a hook in the mudroom. “We’re mates. I trust you unattended in my house.”