“I understand,” Jeremiah told him, and he shook his hand.

“It was very nice to meet you, Mr. Parker.”

Chapter 42

Parker and Charles Scott were back in the apartment soon after the agent left.

“You okay?” he asked his son. “How was it?”

“It was weird,” he said. “Really weird. Dad, you wouldn’t believe it—the thing looks just like me. I mean exact! Like looking in a mirror. Man, I wish I could be there when he shows up for school! He is gonna fool everyone!”

“Believe me, I know how you feel. And the Meld? How did that go?”

“I guess it went fine,” Parker said. “I didn’t really feel anything. It was sort of like being hypnotized or something, I guess. I don’t feel any different. I don’t really remember it. I guess it isn’t as bad as everybody keeps saying.”

“The jury is still out on that,” he said.

Jeremiah asked Charles Scott if he should start packing and realized only then that he had neglected to take any of Parker’s clothes with him.

“It isn’t necessary, Mr. Adams...or Mr. Parker, is it now?” Scott told him. “You’ll find everything you need is already in your car—enough clothes to get you started, some cash, all the basics. You can get anything else on the road. We took the liberty of securing a Mercedes for you. Well-equipped, top of the line. I drive one myself. I’m sure it will be to your liking. If you’ll just follow me. We can take care of our final transaction outside.”

“One second.” Jeremiah darted into the kitchen and grabbed the package from the back of the freezer and took it out of the ice cream container. He put a hand on Parker’s shoulder and ushered him out behind Charles Scott.

“And Louie?” he asked. “Did you get the dog?”

“The dog is waiting for you.”

Almost the instant they were out the front door, before they were even halfway across the circular drive where the chocolate-brown Mercedes was waiting, Louie had bolted away from the man who held his leash and nearly knocked Jeremiah over with a wild greeting. With two paws up on his chest, he whined and whimpered as though he were literally trying to speak. Jeremiah laughed and tried to turn his face away from the dog’s exuberant kisses and attempted to calm him down. Louie was literally shaking with joy at the sight of him. Jeremiah felt almost as happy. He’d almost forgotten how much he’d missed this dog. He was glad Louie was coming with them. He knelt down and allowed himself to be kissed, and talked in soft, low tones until the dog stopped whining.

“It’s okay, boy,” he said. “I know. I know. I missed you, too. It’s okay.”

Parker got into the front seat of the car and Louie stayed at Jeremiah’s side as he looked to Charles Scott for what he sincerely hoped would be the last time. Scott was staring down at the dog with some confusion.