I can’t help it. Despite my promises to myself that I wouldn’t cry, moisture gathers at the edges of my eyes. And much to my brother’s discomfort, I don’t give him my answer verbally. I take the first difficult step, closing the distance between us and pulling him into a forced hug. His arms hang awkwardly at his sides until he slowly wraps them around me.

“Thank you, Santi.” I burrow my face into his chest and cry in relief. “Thank you.”

12

Judge

I sit in my car and watch the condo. It’s a little after eleven at night. Two IVI guards lurk not so discreetly in a Rolls Royce, getting looks from every other resident of the small development. I understand why Santiago doesn’t have more discreet men here. Vincent Douglas is still a threat. He wants to be sure if Douglas wants to try to get at Mercedes, he’ll have to get past these two first.

At least with them around, I blend.

Or so I think until I hear a tapping at the passenger side window and turn to find Solana standing there, the hood of her wool cloak pulled over her head to shield herself from the drizzle.

When I don’t move to open the window right away, she gives me a look and points at the button that would lower it. I push it so it comes about a third of the way down.

“Yes?”

“You are scaring the neighbors.”

“No, that’d be the two soldiers in the Rolls.” I point as if anyone could miss them.

“You’re not exactly incognito here. Please tell me you realize that.”

“What do you want, Solana?”

She reaches into her giant bag and retrieves a jar. “Here. Your salve. You're probably running low if you’re using it as I instructed.”

I open the window a little wider and reach out and take it because I don’t think she’ll go away until I do.

“Madame Dubois told me you’d be here, so I brought it with me.”

“Madame Dubois is a crackpot.”

“She’s the real deal, Judge. And she told me a few things about you.”

“Like what?” Why am I playing along?

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” She pulls her arm out, straightens, and looks up at the sky. “I’d better get inside. Mercedes is expecting us.” She gives me a grin just as Georgie pulls up, honking his hello to her as he parks directly in front of my car, just tapping his bumper to mine. He smiles at Solana, then glares pointedly at me and mouths an oops.