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“Yes.”
I gasped, and one of the guys actually gasped with me. In Europe, Andliet was a household name. The company had risen to the status of a mega-corporation, providing everyday goods and services from Spain to Lithuania and everywhere in between.
“Anyway,” the man went on, “I needed you all to know how grateful I am for what you’ve done for my family. Pulling my son out of that place — alive and well — is a debt that can unfortunately for me never be fully repaid.”
He cleared his throat and looked around, his shrewd eyes scanning the mansion, the heavy equipment, the stacks of lumber and supplies that lay scattered around.
“But I can certainly try,” he added.
Liam scratched at his chin. “Howisyour son, by the way?”
“Bradley is recuperating nicely, thanks to you,” Andliet replied. “It took six of the best doctors in the world to put his shattered arm back together, but the dehydration and malnutrition have been addressed. Other than a series of cuts and bruises he’s no less worse for wear.”
“Good,” said Duncan. “It could’ve been a lot worse.”
“Agreed.” Julius nodded. “He’s a tough kid.”
“That’s his saving grace,” the man conceded. “It almost even makes up for his recklessness and piss-poor decision-making. He ought to be dead right now, and he damn well knows it. But my son is alive, thanks to your bravery.”
“I wish I could tell you we did it for the bravery,” said Duncan, “but we all know that’s not the case. Your retainer was… well… let’s just saymorethan generous.”
“And yet it still wasn’t nearly enough,” said Andliet, sharply. “Which is why I’ve quadrupled it.”
Julius uncrossed his arms. Duncan actually staggered backward, onto the opposite foot.
“Did you just sayquadrupled?” asked Liam.
“Yes. Call it a bonus, if you like. The money should already be in your accounts. If you ask me, it’sstillnot nearly enough.”
A stunned silence settled over the cold driveway. The wind picked up, sending an even bigger chill down my spine.
“Oh, and one more thing,” the man said, with one hand on the Bentley’s door. “The three of you have children of your own, yes?”
“Twins,” Liam nodded slowly. “A boy and a girl.”
“We share custody,” Duncan explained. “The children of a fallen comrade.”
“Then they shall want for nothing,” Andliet said. “Whatever they require to better their futures: college tuition, seed money, anything at all — consider it theirs. Uncle Evan will always provide.”
Uncle Evan. EvanAndliet.
Good God.
“D—Did you want to come inside for a few minutes?” I asked meekly. “Maybe have a drink and get warmed up, or—”
“Thank you but I’m afraid I can’t,” the man smiled genuinely. “I’m already late for where I need to be next. But I’m also sorry I’m so late in getting here, to thank you all in person.”
“Late? It’s only been six days,” Julius pointed out.
“For what you gentlemen did?” Andliet sighed. “That’s six days too long.”
