Page 27 of The Fallen Man

“And how is it going to look if I’m not there?” demanded Ralph.

“Like she hates your guts,” said Eleanor, smiling and stirring creamer into her coffee.

“I don’t know what happened to that girl. She went to college, and she got all kinds of crazy.”

“Yeah, it’s almost like she figured out she doesn’t have to take your bullshit,” said Jackson.

“Shut your pie-hole,” said Ralph. “You’re not involved in this.”

“Yes, I am,” said Jackson. “I’m Olivia’s appointed representative. She didn’t like that you were meeting Eleanor. She thought it was suspicious.”

“You told her?” demanded Ralph, looking outraged.

“Yes,” said Jackson.

“You got a loose trap.”

“Ha!”

Both men looked at Eleanor in surprise. “Sorry,” she said. “I just don’t think anyone’s ever accused Jackson of that. I’m amused. Regardless, I cannot and will not make any efforts to put you on speaking terms with your granddaughter. I’m not a certified family counselor, and I have no wish to involve myself in any of your messes.”

The waitress returned and set down plates in front of Eleanor and Jackson. The massive dish of food in front of Jackson had almost certainly been cooked in a vat of oil. It was precisely the kind of food he didn’t get at Deveraux House. Theo believed inhealthy meals.

“I may have to retract my earlier statement,” said Jackson, inspecting the hashbrowns.

“I dislike sayingI told you so,” said Eleanor cutting into her waffle for a tiny bite. “It’s unbecoming. But regarding Denny’s versus the Waffle House, I willnothesitate.”

“What? Son, get your head out of your ass. There is no comparison. The Waffle House is by far superior.”

“You see now why I had to bring him,” said Eleanor, and Jackson watched as Ralph wavered between agreeing with her and still hating Jackson.

“Well, I don’t see why you had to do it on my time,” complained Ralph.

“As though there were a better time,” said Eleanor. “Now, Ralph, I don’t wish to be disagreeable, but no, I will not be interceding between you and Olivia. I suggest you try speaking to one of your relatives who like you. If you have those.”

Ralph glared at her. “You’re going to make sure I get invited to that wedding.”

“That seems unlikely,” said Eleanor.

“But you’re going to do it because I’ve got something you always want.”

“I don’t like to underestimate you,” said Eleanor, taking a sip of coffee. “But I must admit that you having anything I want, let alone knowing what I want, also seems unlikely.”

“Information,” said Ralph.

“Ah,” said Eleanor. “What kind and from who?”

“Two years ago, homeland security pulled those mercenaries out of testifying against Granger. You ever wonder about that?”

“I must admit that I did,” agreed Eleanor.

“And you may have noticed that the release of the Absolex hearing files has suddenly become… slow to materialize.”

“I had,” agreed Eleanor. She watched Ralph with her coffeecup in one hand and her head slightly tilted to one side with a smile on her face. Anyone watching would have thought she was merely politely listening to an old friend. But Jackson could tell that Ralph had captured her complete focus.

“The wedding,” said Ralph. “I can expect an invitation?” Ralph sat back, his chin rising, watching the two of them.

Eleanor looked at Jackson. Jackson nodded. Olivia had been clear on the list of items she was willing to negotiate. Attending the wedding was on the list. He thought it was because she wanted her grandmother there, not for Ralph’s sake.