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Bridger was about to suggest their next steps when a small voice piped up unexpectedly. “Is there still time for pancakes?”
Kellen stood in the doorway, Tai’s huge tee hanging off his thin shoulders, rubbing his hands, a bright smile on his face. He seemed completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere that had filled the room just moments before.
Bridger blinked in surprise. He’d assumed the boy would be in his room grieving, but here he was, cheerful as could be.
Jane reacted first, matching Kellen’s smile. “Of course, sweetie. I’ll whip up a batch right now.”
As she headed to the kitchen, Kellen trailed after her, chattering about chocolate chips and whipped cream. Bridger watched them go, marveling at the resilience of childhood. Even in the midst of turmoil, simple joys like a favorite breakfast could prevail.
The boy’s enthusiasm lifted the mood of the whole room. Tai and Paige joined Jane in the kitchen, bantering lightheartedly with Kellen as they gathered ingredients and utensils. The aroma of sizzling batter soon filled the air.
Bridger allowed himself a small smile. Trust Kellen to provide some much-needed levity after the morning’s revelations. He was a special kid. Worth protecting, no matter what.
“I brought you a plate.” Kellen approached him, a bright smile on his face, a stack of pancakes the size of Texas in hand.
Bridger barely had time to grab the plate before his phone buzzed. He set the food down and glanced at the screen. A text from Romero.
He squeezed Kellen’s shoulder. “These look amazing. I’ve just got to answer this message and I’ll dive in.” He bent closer to Kellen’s ear. “Can you stand guard duty for a minute? I don’t want Tai stealing these.”
Eyes round, Kellen quickly agreed. “Sure thing,” he said, his voice high and breathy with excitement, as if Bridger had handed him a sidearm and asked him to take first watch.
Bridger edged away from the table and read the text. The magician had come through. His trusted law enforcement contact had agreed to meet with Jane and Bridger in Romero’s private dressing room after the first show that evening, around 7 p.m.
He responded instantly.Many thanks.We’ll be there.
Things were in motion. By the end of the night, this mess could be over.
He entered the kitchen and leaned against the counter, watching as Jane expertly flipped pancakes on the griddle while Kellen set the table, one eye on Bridger’s pancakes. Paige was slicing fruit and Tai was brewing coffee, the two of them bantering good-naturedly.
“Alright team, listen up,” Bridger said, raising his voice just enough to get everyone’s attention. “I just heard from Romero. He’s set up a meeting with his law enforcement contact tonight at 7 p.m. in his dressing room at the Orpheum.”
Tai and Paige nodded, their expressions growing serious.
“Jane and I will go,” Bridger continued. “Tai, you’re backup. Paige, I want you to come with, too. We’re gonna need tech support to transfer the money.”
He turned to Kellen. “That means the rest of the team is going to hang out here with you tonight, buddy. How’s that sound?”
Kellen’s eyes lit up. “Maybe we can have pizza, and stay up late?”
Bridger chuckled. “Within reason. But Mason, Fenn and Kate will be here to have fun with you.”
He looked at Jane questioningly. He should have asked her first. “You alright with that plan?”
She gave a resolute nod, though her eyes betrayed a hint of underlying worry. “Absolutely.”
He inched closer, until only she would hear him. “You’re leaving that meeting with me, no matter what. I won’t let any agents—legitimate or not—arrest you. Copy?”
They held each other’s gaze for a long moment, a silent understanding passing between them. Then Jane took a deep, steadying breath and straightened her shoulders. “Copy that, Captain.”
34
Bridger followedJane into Romero’s dimly-lit dressing room, the scent of candle wax heavy in the air. The eerie atmosphere created by magical props and mirrors surrounding the vanity table sent a shiver down Bridger’s spine. A beautiful white dove perched on Romero’s shoulder caught their attention, its tiny eyes observing them with curiosity.
“Tai, Paige, we’re in Romero’s dressing room,” whispered Bridger into his earbud comlink, feeling the reassuring presence of his teammates. “Everything looks clear so far.”
“Roger that, Spider,” Tai’s voice answered back, steady and calm. “Bo Peep and Sheep One report all clear so far, but if you two take too long, Sheep One might try one of these slot machines.”
The silly code names made Jane smile.
