Chapter 69
My bedroom door practically burst open. “Hey, girls. Whatcha doin’?”
“Why, Elliott, fancy seeing you here,” I proclaimed, staring at my sister hard, letting her think I might be on to her.
“Well, I was just in the neighborhood and thought I might drop in.” He was still standing in the doorway, leaning into the room, his broad shoulders taking up most of the space in the threshold.
“I was just asking Cadence some questions about your jobs. I was about to tell her how I’m thinking of going into the same line of work, you know, when I’m older.”
“What?” Cadence asked, looking from me to Elliott and then back again. “Cassidy, I thought you wanted to be an engineer like dad, or a doctor or something.”
I shrugged. “Plans change. Elliott, did you work at LIGHTS when our Grandma Janette worked there?”
“No,” he answered quickly, his forehead wrinkling. “Dude, how old do you think I am?”
“Not as old as Aaron, I guess.” If he could shoot lasers out of his eyes, he would’ve had me pinned to the wall. I was thankful that didn’t seem to be one of his superpowers.
“I think it’s great you’re taking such an interest in your sister’s work,” Elliott began, “but, unfortunately, we need to get back to KC so we can report back to work in the morning.”
I sat up ramrod straight on my bed, looking at him around my sister who suddenly seemed speechless for once in her life. “You’re leaving? Now? Why? How can you possibly need to work tomorrow? Don’t most people take this week off?”
“Not in our line of work, lil girl,” Elliott replied. “Besides, if I’m gonna take some time off in a week or two, I need to get caught up.” He didn’t quite wink at me, but his eyes narrowed.
“Time off for what?” Cadence asked.
“Just got some loose ends to tie up with a few of Cass’s friends, that’s all,” Elliott replied. Then, he made that face and my sister nodded. He’d told her something using just his eye! It was creepy and fascinating at the same time.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to stay longer,” Cadence said, turning back to face me and wrapping her arms around me. “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.” That much was true. I missed the old Cadence, the one without a million secrets and without a computer chip in her face.
“I’m gonna go tell Mom and Dad goodbye,” Cadence said, looking at Elliott sharply. “Maybe you and Cass need to talk for a minute?”
“I guess we do.” Elliott let out a breath that likely assured my sister that he caught her drift—my own sister wanted Elliott to brainwash me. Thankfully, we had a secret pact, and he wouldn’t do it. At least I was pretty sure he wouldn’t.
He moved out of the way so she could get out the door and stepped into my room, his hands on his hips. As soon as he was certain my sister was out of earshot, he said, “Cass! What the crap?”
“I’m sorry!” I exclaimed, scooting over so that my legs were dangling halfway off of the bed in front of him. “I just… couldn’t help it.”
“Help it! I can’t keep pretending to brainwash you and not do it! They’re gonna catch on!”
I growled in frustration. “I didn’t really even ask her anything, not half of what I wanted to ask.”
“Yeah, well, you better get your stuff together little girl.” He said “stuff” like he’d almost said something else, and I thought maybe he really was mad at me this time.
I glanced down at the ring he’d given me and remembered the only reason he was letting me keep this information in my head was because he cared about me. “Sorry,” I muttered. “Were you listening in the whole time?”
“No, just from the part where you asked if she’s ever shot anyone.”
For some reason, I thought that was funny. I started giggling and had a hard time stopping, despite his eyes baring down on me. “Sorry, sorry, sorry.”
“You should be.” He folded his arms across his chest and surveyed me for a moment. “Ignorance is bliss, Cass.”
“Has she?”
“Ughh!” He shook his head, exasperated. I thought I should let it go. I wanted to let it go. I was having trouble letting it go. “We cannot tell you stuff like that.” His voice was a sharp whisper. “Listen, I have to give my boss access to this conversation now because you are not behaving!”
My eyes widened. It had never occurred to me that Aaron, or anyone else who was not in the house could listen to what he was saying to me. I straightened up again, not sure if he could see me or was just listening. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“Cassidy,” Elliott had that look in his eyes again, and I braced myself for forgetting. “There’s no reason for you to keep asking questions about your sister’s work. She’s taken a security job in Kansas City, and she is perfectly happy. She doesn’t shoot people. Everything is fine. When you grow up, you will be an engineer like your dad, and you will live a happy life. Got it?”
I nodded, but I knew something was different this time. He was staring at me intently, using that monotone voice he usually uses when suggesting something, but there was no glint, no movement in his irises. Nevertheless, I dutifully did my part. “My sister is happy in Kansas City. She doesn’t shoot people. I should stop asking questions about her job. I want to be an engineer when I grow up, like my dad. I will also be happy. I got it.”
A few seconds hung between us while Elliott apparently had his little conversation with the big bossman. Eventually, his countenance changed, and he began to shake his head. He mumbled something that sounded like, “You’re killin’ me...” but I didn’t catch the last word. “Smalls,” maybe? I didn’t know what that meant.
