Page 36 of Secret Redemption

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When Ava returned to Zack’s office after putting Riley down, Kanan and Celeste had just arrived.

“Hey Honey, I didn’t know you were coming,” she said as she hugged her friend.

“Yeah, well, big brother,” Celeste said with a little sniff of disgust, “decided it was too dangerous to leave me on my own. Anyway, I wanted to meet Riley, but Zack said he has just gone to bed.”

“He has, but you can have a look in on him if you want, he sleeps like lead.”

“Must take after his father then,” Kanan said as he and Zack joined them on the couch.

Zack snorted in amusement. “Not these days,”

“So, what’s going on Zack?” Kanan questioned, as Ava watched the two men interact, seeing the familiarity in the way they talked, but also the pain of the past that neither man had buried.

“As I said on the phone, I want all the civilians together. I’ve been over it in my head, and it’s the best way to keep them safe. We know they are targets and keeping them spread out is also spreading us and our resources too thin.”

“My only concern is if the Watchers attack, we could lose everyone.”

“The Estate is easily big enough and perfect from a security point of view. The long drive sets the estate back, the woods at the back offer the perfect cover, and it’s secluded without being so far away that we’re vulnerable.”

“What about your parents Zack?” Kanan asked.

“They won’t have a problem with it; they signed the estate over to me years ago.”

“Why did they do that?”

“They just couldn’t go back there. When Catherine died, the heart of the home died. It was too painful.”

Ava watched the exchange silently. The pain on both men’s faces when Zack talked about Catherine was evident for anyone to see.

“Would you have everyone live there or just the civilians?”

“That would be up to each operative, but I would encourage some at least to live in.”

“Do you think they will go for it?”

“I don’t know, but it’s the best option. I can have the same security in place for them as Fortis. If we move everyone at night and are clever, we might be able to get them in unnoticed. I have also spoken to the doctor that treated Lauren and Nate in A&E. He has just retired and apparently golf is boring. He has agreed to be our ‘live in’ doctor if everyone agrees.”

“Why would he do that?” Celeste asked, and Zack turned to her.

“He lost his wife a year ago, and with his son deployed, he feels he has nothing to live for in his life. I offered him a job if he agrees to live in and sign a non-disclosure agreement.”

“Sounds like you have it all figured out Zack. So why am I here?” Kanan asked.

“I want you in charge of the house. Nobody knows the estate better than you. We ran every inch of that place as kids, plus you’re a very effective operative.”

“No way, I’m not running that shit show,” Kanan said, as he got up and started to pace like a caged animal. “Your father would have a conniption if he found out. He hates my fucking guts.”

Zack shook his head sadly, “He doesn’t hate you, Kanan; he loved you like a son.”

Ava could see the anger building in Kanan as he flexed his hands and continued to pace.

“Fuck you, Zack. He hates me, and you know why!”

Zack stood now too and walked to his old friend. “He doesn’t hate you!”

“Oh, so after all these years he’s forgiven me for getting his daughter killed?”