Consider it due diligence.”
“Discovery phase? Due diligence? This is how you define the romantic part of your relationship?”
“How about I ask the questions and you answer them.”
“How many are there?”
Callie consults her list. “One hundred forty-three.”
Kathleen frowns. “You know I have to pick Addie up in a few minutes.”
“Fine. We’ll pick her up together.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Then get someone else to pick her up.”
Kathleen sighs. “If I answer all your questions, and promise never to contact Donovan, will you leave me alone and never bother me again?”
“If and if? Yes.”
“I’ll call and have one of the moms pick Addie up from band practice. But let’s move this along as quickly as possible.”
Kathleen makes the call, then says, “What’s the second question on your list?”
Callie says, “Spit or swallow?”
Kathleen winces. “For the love of God, Callie.”
“I’m waiting.”
“Spit. What’s question three?”
“What’s his preference, mouth or hand? And why? And how long does it usually take? Oh, and I guess you’ll need to get the dildo again, because I’ll require demonstrations.”
Kathleen shakes her head as if trying to wake up from a bad dream. “Just out of curiosity, what’s the last question?”
“It’s a long one.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“Did you give him anal? If so, how many times? If so, did he ask for it, or just do it? If he asked, how did he phrase the question? Did you comply? If not, how did you turn him down? And if you did, why? And if you did, how did he react?”
Kathleen closes her eyes, shakes her head. “You can’t be serious.”
“You know I am.”
The question and answer portion of the discovery phase lasts nearly two hours. When it finally comes to an end, Callie says, “So basically, if you’re to be believed, you did every single thing that could be done sexually.”
“Not everything. If I remember correctly, question 38 involved threesomes, couple-swapping, and participating in orgies. I never did any of that.”
Callie consults her notes. “According to you, he never asked. So your non-participation’s a technicality, isn’t it.”
She stands, walks toward the front door.
Kathleen says, “My opinion? This relationship isn’t going to work out.”
Callie says, “My opinion? You’re a slut!”
13.
Ryan Decker.
“THERE’S ONE WAY in and one way out,” Decker says. “This road goes 70 yards and turns into Goodman Circle, an exclusive neighborhood with eight magnificent homes. And yes, it’s an actual circle.”
Decker and his three lieutenants are standing near the entrance to Goodman Circle, in Brookfield, Kentucky. They’re dressed in work uniforms with matching helmets.
“I thought it’d be more secluded,” Martin says.
“It’s actually quite secluded, considering it’s less than a quarter-mile from the interstate that divides Brookfield from Louisville’s East End.”
“How big are the lots?”
“Five acres each. And the circle’s surrounded by woods and a golf course. If we park the semi here, we can isolate the entire neighborhood.”
“We’ll need two semis for the motorcycles, equipment, and manpower.”
“Noted.”
One of the other men, Corrigan, says, “What are these houses worth?”
“Two to six million.”
“They’ll have alarms.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“Why?”
“Two reasons. First, it’ll force us to strike with speed and precision. Second, we’ll generate maximum publicity.”
“Why?”
“When you frighten the rich, you terrify the poor and middle class.”
Burroughs says, “It’s a perfect target. But a big step for us.”
“For you, yes. But I blew up half of Leeds Road in Willow Lake, Arkansas, last night. That was a logistical nightmare. This mission’s a snap compared to that one.”
An elderly resident slows to a stop and asks, “Is everything all right?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Decker says. “We’re just finishing up.”
She points at his helmet. “What does BWC stand for?”
“Brookfield Water Company.”
“There’s not a problem with our water, is there?”
“No ma’am. This area has the highest-quality, best-tasting water in the entire country, thanks to dedicated field men like these,” he says, indicating his lieutenants.
“Well, keep up the good work, then,” she says.
“Will do.
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