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“You interested in robotics?”
“Yes. I know all about your father and his work as a trauma surgeon. In fact, before I got out of the Army, I worked in a field hospital in Afghanistan when I was a new surgeon.”
For the next ten minutes, we spoke about his past, and what I’d been doing at SCH, and he talked about his own interest in robotics. We had a lot in common. He reminded me of my father.
I was impressed with him, and glad we might be working together. I could see us being colleagues, and as we parted, promising to have a drink some time before I left to collect Kate and Sophia, I hoped that soon, we’d be colleagues.
I left the hospital, my main mission accomplished, feeling quite a lot better about my prospects of getting my old job back…
On my way back to the 8thAvenue apartment, I decided to call Kyle Burke, the old friend from the lifestyle who owned Brimstone Security, the firm I used before we moved away.
Kyle answered on the second ring. “Hey, Drake Morgan, how are you? Long-time no hear. You back in the Big Apple?”
“That I am,” I said and smiled at the sound of Kyle’s voice. We chatted for a few moments about my current job in Southampton and our plans to move back to New York.
“The reason I’m calling is to see if you’d be able to send someone to shadow me while I’m here. I realize it’s short notice, but I noticed someone watching me at my apartment and want to make sure it’s nothing.”
“No problem. I’ll contact some retired military guys I know who work on short term contracts for me and get someone out there. You’ll know they’re my guys by the red coffee mug on the dashboard. If you need someone to tail you on a run, the guy will be wearing a red sweatband. If you need a limo, our guy will have a red coffee mug in the cup holder. I’ll send you the numbers you’ll need when you go out. In the meantime, I’ll send one of my guys over to your apartment. He’ll stay until I have someone who can do it for the duration of your stay in Manhattan. You’re at the apartment on 8thAvenue?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“Okay. Consider it done. Someone will be there within the hour. Red coffee mug on the dash.”
“Sounds good, and thanks, Kyle. I appreciate your willingness to help me out on such short notice. Given what happened when Kate and I were here before, I don’t want to take any chances, in case some nut job has it in for me and my family.”
We said goodbye and I took in a deep breath, glad that Kyle was so helpful.
As I was parking my vehicle, my cell chimed, indicating an incoming message.
It was from Kate.
KATE: I miss you.
DRAKE: I miss you, too. Can’t wait until the whole family is back and we can visit our old haunts, take in the park, walk along the waterfront.
KATE: Me, too. Love you, Dr. Morgan.
DRAKE: Love you back, Mrs. Morgan. I’m still watching that video on repeat, just so you know…
KATE: We aim to please, Sir. Anytime…
I smiled and ended the texts. I didn’t want to mention anything about the man watching me. I wanted her to be excited about our return and would keep any security arrangements private unless she indicated an interest in it. If so, I’d let her in on Kyle’s clandestine services.
I wanted our return to New York to be as stress-free and enjoyable for Kate and Sophie, and Ethan and Elaine as much as possible. The thought that someone might be watching me was not the kind of welcome back I wanted for any of us.
Sharing custody of Liam was just too important to me not to suck it up and deal with it.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Imade one last trip to my studio to finish packing up my supplies. Drake would be arriving back on Sunday, and I wanted to be completely ready for his return — and for the move.
It was a sad feeling for me because I enjoyed my time there so much. My art was such a big part of who I was as a person. Saying goodbye to the place and to the people I had come to know and be friends with at the studio was hard.
But at the same time, I was excited about our return to New York. I still had no idea where we would be living, other than somewhere in Brooklyn Heights. I spent some time exploring real estate in the area and found some fantastic properties. I really wanted a view of the waterfront, so that would be one of our primary requirements. It would mean we paid a premium, but Drake said we would spare no expense, if it meant we found a place we could love, close to the water and close enough to wherever Maureen and Chris lived so the shared custody arrangement would work as seamlessly as possible. We’d stay temporarily at the 8thAvenue apartment, and once we were sure that my father and Elaine had a good place with nursing support, we’d find a place as close as we could to Maureen and Chris and most importantly, Liam.
I felt a thrill in my gut at the thought of being back in New York, but at the same time, a sense of sadness that this part of our life was over. New beginnings were always mixed for me, but I had Drake, and Sophie, Liam and my father and Elaine. I had the good parts of my old life here with me, no matter where I lived.
I checked on my latest canvas, and it was now dry enough to wrap up and transport to the house, so I did just that, and then, I packed up my paints and brushes, making sure to clean up the space so that it was nice and spotless — as spotless as an art studio could be of course — for the next resident.
