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Keene’s sardonic tone drops. “Keep up the good work, Lee. I came by to drop some paperwork off for Sam and received quite the show.”
“What do you mean?” I ask curiously.
Keene’s amusement is evident. “Sam rocking back and forth in a corner.”
“Aww, Sam. Did we get too close to your precious server,” Leanne coos.
“Yes! And this ass won’t let me buy a new one,” Sam accuses Keene.
“Not if you’re violating our acceptable use policy. Remember, Sam—the phrase is limited personal use.”
I can’t keep my snicker in at this point. I call out, “Sam, what happened to all the guts you used to display so brazenly?”
He calls out, “I joined Hudson and Keene made me sign away my soul. Not long after, I met Leanne at a hackathon where she kicked my ass barely out of her diapers.”
All of us, including one of the renowned owners of Hudson Investigations, double over laughing. Keene offers us some sage advice before leaving us to scratch our heads over what alarms we tripped. “Don’t get caught.”
We wait for him to leave before discussing in detail what happened. Finally, we agree to think about it some more before trying again.
But try again we will.
None of us are planning on giving up because of one little scare.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
KENSINGTON, TEXAS
The belief associated with having regular family dinners is grounded in research on the physical, mental and emotional benefits of regular family meals.
Sometimes, it can cause more mental anguish than it’s worth.
—Viego Martinez, Celebrity Blogger
“What if—” Sam starts.
“It won’t work.” Leanne shuts him down.
“The code is right,” he argues.
“I’m not saying it isn’t. I’m saying we’re missing something.” Frustration fills Leanne’s voice.
Just then my actual office phone rings. Reaching over, I grab it, “Yeah?”
“Son?” My father’s voice comes out weak. “Hi.”
“Dad. I’m kind of busy at the moment.”
There’s a gasp behind me. Ignoring it, I try to get my father off the line as quickly as I can. “Can I call you later?”
“Of course. Would you be willing to come to dinner this weekend?”
I think about my flight to see Fallon on Friday and tell him, “I’ll be out of town.”
Defeat fills his voice. “Oh. I see.”
I hate I feel the bonds of my childhood with this man who almost ruined my sister’s life—a life where she’s ecstatically happy with the man she should always have been with. “Is there anything else?”
“I’d love to see you, Ethan.”