Industrial Magic
Page 113
Any news regarding the case? Lucas asked.
There wasnt. We told Benicio that we were pursuing a lead, but he didnt press for details, only offered us full use of the Cabal resources, should we need them. We spent the rest of breakfast discussing what the Cabals were doing to find Edward. The Nasts, as wed expected, had been searching for him since Friday. Unfortunately, they hadnt found any cluesor any they cared to share.
As we neared the end of the meal, Benicio said, As I was saying earlier, Lucas should take you on a tour of the area. Now, I know, I have a vested interest in wanting my son living closer than Oregon, but there is Savannah to consider. Youve already had one bad experience keeping custody of her and, although you handled that very well, it was the second attempt, was it not?
Second attempt, but same personwho is not going to be making any more.
Maybe so, but now the news of Savannahs desirability has spread across the supernatural world. You must consider that
Both Paige and Savannah are quite happy with Portland, Lucas said.
I understand, but before you put down permanent roots, you must give the matter serious thought. You dont want to buy a house in Portland only to realize six months from now that its unsafe for Savannah.
I know that, I said. Which is why Im not house-shopping until weve been there a year.
Oh? Benicio frowned. I thought you had a house picked out. Lucas said His voice trailed off as he saw my look of confusion. Oh, I see he hasnt mentioned it.
No, I had not, Lucas said, his voice tight. But thank you for doing so for me. He turned to me and lowered his voice. Ill explain later.
We finished the meal in silence.
What house? I said before the hotel room door closed behind us.
I believe I mentioned a potential arrangement with my last client, who, feeling indebted
What house? I said, throwing my purse onto the sofa. The condensed version.
Youre understandably upset
Hell, yes, Im upset. Youre making long-term plans for us and I have to hear it from your father?
Its not as it sounds. When he first called me in Chicago, he wanted to talk about our apartment. He didnt think it was right, me expecting you and Savannah to live there because I refuse to dip into my trust fund. I told him the apartment was short-term. He wouldnt listen, so I said that I had a lead on a house in Portland.
Why didnt you tell me? We havent discussed this, Lucas. I thumped down ontothe couch and rubbed my temples. If this was meant to be a surprise
No, certainly not. I would never presume anything like that. Once this was over, I planned to show you the house and, if you liked it, then it would be yours to take at the offered price, whether you chose to share it with me or not.
Whether I chose? What the hell is that supposed to mean?
He sat on the couch beside me, close but not touching. I would have mentioned it, but I wanted to get through this first. It seemed unfair to discuss long-term plans now, when you were getting your first glimpse of what a life with me might entailthefamilial issues.
So, you think Im going to turn tail and run?
He managed a wry smile. Im surprised you havent already.
No, Im serious. Is that really what you think? That I care so little for you that Id I shifted down the couch, away from him. I knew all about your familial issues when we got together, Lucas.
Yes, but you may have been unprepared for the impact it could have on our lives. I would completely understand
Would you? I said, springing to my feet. Youd understand if I walked out the door? Said Sorry, not for me? Just like youd understand if you showed me this house and I said, Ill take itnow where are you going to live?
I dont want to pressure you, Paige. Of course, I dont want you to leave, and, yes, I want to get this house with you, but if thats not what you want He reached for my arm, but I yanked it back.
You have no idea how I feel about you, do you?
When he hesitated, I strode to the door. Then I paused, hand on the knob. I couldnt do this. Not now.
Come on, I said. We have work to do.
The Cabal photos of Miami had given Lucas a half-dozen possible hotels, which we now needed to check. As for our spat, neither of us mentioned it, though the heavy silence in the car said we were both thinking about it. As much as I wanted to resolve the problem and get past it, I told myself it was better to ignore it for now. Plenty of time to fix things later.
On the fourth possibility, we found a match. A five-story mid-price hotel, with a southern view that matched Fayes description.
We were walking up the side alley, heading for the front of the building, when Lucass cell phone rang.
That was Oscar, he said when he hung up. Fayes awake and very upset. All he can make out is that she wants to see meimmediately.
Damn, I said.
There wasnt. We told Benicio that we were pursuing a lead, but he didnt press for details, only offered us full use of the Cabal resources, should we need them. We spent the rest of breakfast discussing what the Cabals were doing to find Edward. The Nasts, as wed expected, had been searching for him since Friday. Unfortunately, they hadnt found any cluesor any they cared to share.
As we neared the end of the meal, Benicio said, As I was saying earlier, Lucas should take you on a tour of the area. Now, I know, I have a vested interest in wanting my son living closer than Oregon, but there is Savannah to consider. Youve already had one bad experience keeping custody of her and, although you handled that very well, it was the second attempt, was it not?
Second attempt, but same personwho is not going to be making any more.
Maybe so, but now the news of Savannahs desirability has spread across the supernatural world. You must consider that
Both Paige and Savannah are quite happy with Portland, Lucas said.
I understand, but before you put down permanent roots, you must give the matter serious thought. You dont want to buy a house in Portland only to realize six months from now that its unsafe for Savannah.
I know that, I said. Which is why Im not house-shopping until weve been there a year.
Oh? Benicio frowned. I thought you had a house picked out. Lucas said His voice trailed off as he saw my look of confusion. Oh, I see he hasnt mentioned it.
No, I had not, Lucas said, his voice tight. But thank you for doing so for me. He turned to me and lowered his voice. Ill explain later.
We finished the meal in silence.
What house? I said before the hotel room door closed behind us.
I believe I mentioned a potential arrangement with my last client, who, feeling indebted
What house? I said, throwing my purse onto the sofa. The condensed version.
Youre understandably upset
Hell, yes, Im upset. Youre making long-term plans for us and I have to hear it from your father?
Its not as it sounds. When he first called me in Chicago, he wanted to talk about our apartment. He didnt think it was right, me expecting you and Savannah to live there because I refuse to dip into my trust fund. I told him the apartment was short-term. He wouldnt listen, so I said that I had a lead on a house in Portland.
Why didnt you tell me? We havent discussed this, Lucas. I thumped down ontothe couch and rubbed my temples. If this was meant to be a surprise
No, certainly not. I would never presume anything like that. Once this was over, I planned to show you the house and, if you liked it, then it would be yours to take at the offered price, whether you chose to share it with me or not.
Whether I chose? What the hell is that supposed to mean?
He sat on the couch beside me, close but not touching. I would have mentioned it, but I wanted to get through this first. It seemed unfair to discuss long-term plans now, when you were getting your first glimpse of what a life with me might entailthefamilial issues.
So, you think Im going to turn tail and run?
He managed a wry smile. Im surprised you havent already.
No, Im serious. Is that really what you think? That I care so little for you that Id I shifted down the couch, away from him. I knew all about your familial issues when we got together, Lucas.
Yes, but you may have been unprepared for the impact it could have on our lives. I would completely understand
Would you? I said, springing to my feet. Youd understand if I walked out the door? Said Sorry, not for me? Just like youd understand if you showed me this house and I said, Ill take itnow where are you going to live?
I dont want to pressure you, Paige. Of course, I dont want you to leave, and, yes, I want to get this house with you, but if thats not what you want He reached for my arm, but I yanked it back.
You have no idea how I feel about you, do you?
When he hesitated, I strode to the door. Then I paused, hand on the knob. I couldnt do this. Not now.
Come on, I said. We have work to do.
The Cabal photos of Miami had given Lucas a half-dozen possible hotels, which we now needed to check. As for our spat, neither of us mentioned it, though the heavy silence in the car said we were both thinking about it. As much as I wanted to resolve the problem and get past it, I told myself it was better to ignore it for now. Plenty of time to fix things later.
On the fourth possibility, we found a match. A five-story mid-price hotel, with a southern view that matched Fayes description.
We were walking up the side alley, heading for the front of the building, when Lucass cell phone rang.
That was Oscar, he said when he hung up. Fayes awake and very upset. All he can make out is that she wants to see meimmediately.
Damn, I said.
