Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 122609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
“Yeah, James told me about that.”
“I wish I could go with you, but Bannon knows me… knows my face, but uh, I think I can help another way.”
“How so?”
“Electronically. Wire you. Help you. You just said I could use my computer skills in other ways, and I’m one step ahead of ya. Honey, hear me out. I can make a wire so small, it can’t be seen by the naked eye. That way, James could be in your ear and see what you’re seeing in real time, not just waitin’ for you on the outskirts. I was hoping it would give him peace of mind.”
“Peace of mind?”
“Yeah. He doesn’t want you to do this anymore. You know that, right?”
Honey’s stomach cramped. “No. He never told me that.”
“Yeah, he changed his mind. Said if something happens to you over this, he’d never forgive himself.”
Honey blinked several times, fighting her emotions.
“I’m not scared.”
“I believe you. He said you were a tough cookie. My brother didn’t tell you how he felt because he knows you want this story. Something about it helping to save your job.”
“Yes, that’s exactly why.” One reason of many.
“You want it badly. Like me… for different motivations of course.” She bit on her thumbnail now, really going to town on it. “I think this might put him more at ease, and I’d feel like I’d be a part of the takedown, too. James might talk you through it by means of a little earbud I’d put in your ear.” This was sounding more and more complicated, but maybe Irish was on to something. “I wanted to go with you, from a distance of course, but James said that was too risky. I could get made. This way though would be a good solution. Probably even better. What do you think?”
“Well, I think the three of us should sit down and talk about it.”
“Yeah… I hope you’ll be on my side and help me convince him ’cause he is being stubborn, but there’s no way I can just let this go. Bannon’s no dummy. You’ll need all the help you can get.”
A chill ran down Honey’s spine. It didn’t matter… She was determined. This is what I do. I can handle this. I’ve been in worse situations. All I have to do is get in there, find the area where he has the paperwork and stash, take pictures, document it all, and get out. I’ve been training for this for weeks.
When they arrived at the house quite some time later, Irish started looking to and fro, almost as if she were waiting for someone. Honey checked the time as she pulled into the garage.
“Why’s it so dark?”
“What? The house?”
“Yeah. James never keeps it this dark.”
They both got out of the vehicle. Irish reached over to the backseat and gathered her belongings, as well as her trash from her devoured meal.
“I left it like this before I came to get you. I prefer to not use extra electricity for no reason. He said he had to work late so I figured we’d beat him here anyway.”
Irish nodded in understanding and waited as Honey pressed her finger to the alarm. It clicked, letting her inside. Irish stepped in right behind her, and they were instantly blinded with light.
“SURPRISE!!! WELCOME HOME!”
A bunch of people Honey had never seen before were gathered around. An attractive middle-aged woman with strawberry blonde hair, wearing tight jeans and a green blouse, raced over and grabbed Irish in her arms. The lady began crying. “I missed you, baby!”
Oh… I bet that’s their mother.
They hugged for a long time. People chatted and laughed, and Honey noted the big cake on the kitchen island that she’d picked up earlier in the day. Irish chatted away with several others. It wasn’t long before she got that cigarette she was craving. Just as she was wondering where James was, he appeared holding a glass of wine. Wearing a fitted burgundy shirt buttoned halfway up his chest, showing off his muscles, and black pants, he looked good enough to eat. He set the wine glass down and took Irish in his arms. The smile on his face lit up the room impossibly more. When he finally released her, he raised his arm in the air and whistled.
“Yo! Everybody, thanks for coming and keeping this surprise party for my sister under wraps. We’re all so happy that she’s finally with us again.” He grabbed his sister and kissed her forehead. People clapped and cheered him on. “Please make yourselves at home. The bar is open and there are plenty of appetizers. Help yourselves. They’ll start serving dinner in ten minutes.”
He pointed to the dining room where servers in starched and pressed white uniforms were waiting by a catered buffet line of food. Honey stayed off to the side, taking it all in. She knew about the surprise party—hell, she’d helped plan it—but she had no idea so many people would be there. As she stood with her thoughts, he came over and kissed her, wine in hand.