Page 28

When the team found out Lenora had used a fishing boat to get into England and board a flight back to Connecticut, they met Chipper and Evie at the airport in France, loaded their gear, and prepared to leave as soon as possible.

“Excuse me. Are you Mr. Robicheaux?” asked the man walking toward him. Luke frowned and nodded. “I don’t mean to bother you, but I was hoping we could have a conversation.”

“About?”

“Lenora Palmer.”

“What about Lenora Palmer?” asked Hex.

“Listen, I know who you guys are, and I know why you’re after her, but so am I.” He held up his badge and ID for the FBI, and they all nodded. “If you’d just give me thirty minutes of your time, I think I can explain everything. I also think we can help one another out.”

“Okay. You’ve got thirty minutes,” said Cam. “Let’s have this conversation on board.”

“On board that?” he smiled. “Hell, yeah.”

The team left the conversation to the leadership team. Hex, Eric, Cam, and Luke spoke to the FBI agent, listening intently. With thirty minutes to kill, they were able to go inside the terminal and grab some souvenirs.

“You know, I’ve been a lot of places over the years,” said Leo, “but I’ve never spent much time in London. I thought we’d get there, but Lenora seems to have ruined our plans. Maybe that is someplace we can come back to for our honeymoon.”

“Our honeymoon, huh?” she smiled. “I think it sounds wonderful, but I would ask that you do something very old-fashioned for me. Ask my father for permission. I know it seems crazy, but it would mean a lot to him if you did that.”

“Tillie, I’m way ahead of you, honey. I asked your father after the first night we spent together in your cottage. I’m an old-fashioned kind of guy, and I didn’t want to offend your parents. I told them both that you were the love of my life, and I couldn’t live without you.”

“You did?” she smiled.

“I damn sure did. I wish my folks were here to see it all. I was angry at my father for a lot of years for something he couldn’t control. I know that now, and I appreciate the conversations with Irene, Matthew, and the counseling team to clear my head about that.

“He was a good man and worked hard when he was able. The demons and sickness inside of him must have been overwhelming, and that makes me sad for both my parents. I want you to promise me something, Tillie.”

“You’re not him,” she said softly. He nodded.

“I know, but I’m his son, and some of this could be hereditary.”

“You’re not him,” she repeated.

“Tillie, just promise that if I show signs of depression, increased anxiety without cause, strange behavior of any sort, you’ll run for help. You won’t just stare at me or ignore me. Get me help.”

“Leo, of course I’d get you help,” she said, pushing his hair aside. She kissed him sweetly, hugging him. “I love you. We’re going to be together for the rest of our lives, and I know for a fact that it will be decades of the two of us and, hopefully, a few babies along the way.”

“I love you, Tillie. I think I’ve loved you from the moment I first saw you. I don’t ever want to lose you or do anything that might hurt you.”

“You wouldn’t, Leo. You’re not capable of that.”

“Hey! Love birds,” smirked Pax. “They’re ready to leave now. Let’s go.”

“Let’s go, babe. We’ll visit jolly old England one day soon,” he smiled.

Back on the plane, the FBI agent was gone, but Luke and the others were seated at the tables.

“Take a seat, we’ll explain as we fly.”