Page 49 of Scarred Sunrise

“Really?”

“If it’s okay with your mum.”

Smithy had taken a chance asking without checking first, and he’d make sure it didn’t happen again, but he needed for Mateo not to see him as the man taking his mother away.

He and Mateo looked at Lizzie for an answer.

“Yes, if you need help, then Mateo is your boy.”

“Yes!” Mateo pumped his fist in the air and went to move away.

“Hey, hang on, buddy. We need to eat first.”

They ate, and Colin lifted his cup in salute. “Well played, son.”

Smithy tried not to let the words affect him but couldn’t help feeling proud and touched by the fact Colin seemed impressed.

When they had eaten and were dressed, Smithy drove them to Fortis. Mateo was chatting up a storm by then and treating Smithy like his new best friend. He’d never given much thought to kids, knowing the only woman he’d ever want them with was married then out of his league. She was, and would always be, out of his league, but now he’d learned that sometimes not every choice was his alone to make.

He placed a hand on Mateo’s shoulder as he led him into the Tech room, having sent a text to Will to let him know. His friend had quickly written some code that Mateo could ‘fix’ for him.

“Will, I’ve brought us some help.”

“Hey, mate, I’m glad you’re here. I have a tonne of things to get done, and Smithy can’t help me.”

“I know Python.”

“That’s great. Sit yourself up here and let’s see.”

Liz rested her chin on his shoulder. “You made his day.”

“Yeah, well, I had to improvise after you hung me out to dry.”

“But you did great.”

“Hmm, I should still tan your ass for it.”

“That a threat or a promise?”

“Woman, unless you want to make good on that, I suggest you quit it.”

Lizzie’s laughter was still ringing in his ears an hour later as he worked his way through the files. So far, he’d learned nothing of any importance.

Zin put his head around the door a little later and nodded towards the hallway. Smithy stood and dropped a kiss on Lizzie’s bare shoulder under the watchful, but not hostile, stare of her son.

He closed the door behind him. “What’s up?”

“The scientist wants to speak to you.”

“Me? Why?”

“He remembers you from the Isle of Man.”

Smithy shrugged. “Fine.”

He followed Zin towards the interrogation room where the taller of the two men was seated with a plastic bottle of water in front of him. His collar undone, tie removed, and hands cuffed in front of him, he looked rattled. His bald head and round rimless glasses did little to make him look any less flustered.

Smithy sat opposite the man trying to remember him and having the barest of memories that were just out of his grasp. “You wanted to talk to me?”