Page 113 of Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad World

The team drank heartily.

“Any word onformerADA Grant?” Rochelle asked, her eyes narrowing.

MacMillan wiped his mouth on a napkin. “Got on a flight to Ecuador. They don’t extradite to the US, so she’s out of our reach for the time being. But I read up on Ecuador, not sure she’ll want to hang out there forever. Doesn’t look like it’s as much fun as say Argentina.”

Johnson grinned at his partner. “Mac’s always fancied himself a great tango dancer.”

“Don’t be fooled by my curves.” MacMillan patted his belly. “This boy is light on his feet.”

As the team laughed, Noah caught Rodrigo’s eye. “You know anyone in Ecuador?”

Rodrigo’s smile was slow. “I believe I might know one or two people there.”

“Handy.” Noah sipped his beer.

After the team caught up on the details of the Demon Brothers’ fight against the Alvarez cartel, and Mac finished the pizza, the detectives said their goodbyes. Promising to return early the next morning for their statements.

Meanwhile, Annabelle took her iPad to a corner and, much to Noah’s delight, called his sons. He went over to say hello before leaving her to it.

“It worked,” she told the boys with an ecstatic grin.

“What worked?” Jacob said.

“Your advice, Jake, your advice!” She peered into the camera excitedly. “I went out onto the roof, and I did what you said your aunt does; I focused on one tiny thing. And it worked! I mean, Ididn’t get far, but I was outside. I felt the sun on my face, and it’s all because of you!“

Jacob looked like he’d burst from pride and, at the same time, die of embarrassment.

Sammy pushed to the foreground. “Did you do my thing too?” he asked eagerly. “Did you hold Dad’s hand?”

“I did when he got there,” Annabelle said seriously. “And that worked too. You guys are geniuses. I went outside, and it’s all thanks to you!” She sobered somewhat. “I mean, it was just a little bit outside. A few steps onto the roof, but it still counts.”

“Heck yeah, it counts,” Jacob shouted. “That’s awesome, Annabelle. Hey, Gran, Annabelle went outside, and she used our advice to do it!”

To Noah’s surprise, Therese’s mother appeared behind the boys. It always made his heart ache to see her, as he imagined that’s exactly how his wife would have looked if she’d made it to the same age.

“That’s wonderful, dear,” Bernadette said. “I’m so proud of you.” She put her arms around the boys. “And I’m so very proud of my wonderful grandsons too.”

“Dad helped,” Sammy piped up. “He held Annabelle’s hand.”

“Did he now?” Bernadette’s eyes twinkled. “Well, next time we talk, I’ll tell him he did a good job too.”

“It was only onto the roof,” Annabelle clarified.

“Nonsense.” Bernadette waved a dismissive hand. “Only nothing. The roof today; tomorrow, you’ll be visiting us in Atlantic City.”

Annabelle looked awestruck at the thought. “That would be amazing.”

Meanwhile, Noah wondered when she’d become such good friends with his in-laws. He shook his head in bewilderment. She was just that kind of person. If she hadn’t been housebound forso long, he imagined she’d have adopted everyone she met and filled the warehouse with waifs and strays.

“I knew you could do it,” Jacob said with confidence. “I told Sammy you could.”

“He did.” Sammy nodded vigorously.

“When we come back to Houston, we’ll help you some more,” Jacob vowed.

“I’d love that,” Annabelle said sincerely. “Now, show me how your comic’s progressing.”

As the boys rushed away to get their artwork, Violet called out, “Noah, get over here and back me up.”