Arryn: Mystic Protectors Series (12 page)

“He will have problems should things come to pass as they are now.” She couldn’t speak past the pain in her heart. “I’m sorry, Reyna. I truly am. I had hopes of him coming to you happy and free of this. But the contract forbade me from seeing him until she had harmed him. I am truly sorry.”

“Can You heal him? Make him whole?” He didn’t answer her and she looked at Him with blurry eyes. “Please? I don’t want him to hurt any more. And short of him dying, I know that You can help him.”

“I can. But it will…nothing is without a price, my child. He will come to me as a protector when the time is right. It is the only way I can help him.” Renie cried. “You have only to say the word and I will do what I can.”

“I can’t make that decision for him. It’s…that should be his, don’t You think? I’m not saying that he won’t want to work for You, but to be a protector is something that I think he should decide.” Boss said nothing. “I love them already, as You knew that I would. And I want the best for them. Gavin is so…he’s broken, but we can help him. He thinks we’re going to put him in the system if Kelly doesn’t make it.”

“Why would he think that?” Renie said nothing and Boss nodded. “I see. Someone has spoken to him about that. His mother no doubt. I will take care that he knows differently.” She told him no, that it was their responsibility. “As it should be.”

“I’m so sorry, but I can’t do it. I’m sure that Arryn would agree with me. But I’ve had enough things done for me while growing up that I can’t do that to my own children.” When Boss stood up, she thanked Him. “You will watch over him, won’t you? All of us?”

“Forever.” He touched His hand to the child’s small chest and moved toward the door this time. He turned to look at her after saying her name softly. “I have married you both. The paperwork is filed and should anyone ask, you have adopted them as of this morning. A fitting birthday gift from me, I think.”

Her birthday…it was now, as of twenty minutes ago. As she reached for Kelly’s hand, Arryn came into the room with her. Gavin, he told her, was at Dusty and Galin’s house for now. They sat with Kelly until the nurses told them they were taking him to x-ray again.

After he was gone, she sat in the chair again and tried to wrap her mind around this day. She thought for sure that if someone told her a few months ago that she’d be married, have wings, and be the mother to two boys with a child on the way, she would have laughed in their face.

“I have hired two more people. They won’t be staying on, but will help with the furniture in the house. Kip said that he’d help with the boys’ rooms, but he has no idea what to tell you because he had so little when he was growing up.” Renie had forgotten about that. “Dusty said that she was going to design the rooms for us. Not the furniture, but the walls and things. It’s something that she’s getting into. And I hope you don’t mind, but I told them of the baby.”

Renie told Arryn about what Boss had said. “If you think I spoke too soon, let me know. You know more about being a protector than anyone I know. And if you think it’s the best way, then I will stand beside you on it.”

“No. I think it’s the best you could have done for him. I think being a protector is a grand job and I loved it dearly, but you’re right. We can’t make that decision for him.” The nurse came into the room and looked at them before going out again. When she returned a few seconds later, Arryn asked her what was going on.

“The young boy, has he come in here?” Arryn looked at Renie, then at the nurse again. “He was on the table and we were about to shoot the film when he just…he got up.”

“Got up how?” The nurse only stared at Renie when she asked. “What do you mean, he just got up? You said that his legs were broken. His ribs too, if I remember correctly. People with broken bones just don’t get up.”

“I just don’t know.”

Arryn moved to the door when she did. They were both standing in the hall when a little boy came toward them, looking for all the world like he knew just where he was going. When he stopped in front of Renie, she dropped to her knees and stared at him.

“Hello.” Renie nodded at him. “He said that I should find you first. And I was to tell you that…I was to tell you that….” He grinned at her. “He said you made the right pick.”

Renie wasn’t sure what he meant and looked at Arryn. He was looking just as confused as she was. When asked his name, the little boy said that he was Kelly, but no one had told him his last name since he’d been little.

“We’ll have to figure that out as well.” As soon as she stood up, he put his hand in hers. Renie looked at Arryn as she continued. “We’re going to be your parents. Okay?”

Kelly nodded and said that the other man had told him that too. “I’m really hungry. Do you think I could have something to eat? A burger if it’s not too much. I don’t have any money, but I can work for you.”

“Sure. Would you like to…? Well, I don’t know if we can take you home yet. There might be some questions on how you were nearly…well, there might be a few questions.” The doctor that had been treating Kelly came down the hall. He said hi to them and asked if they had any questions. “About what?”

“He’s got a nasty bump on his head from falling, but I’m sure you know how boys are. He’s just fine. I’d just make sure that you pamper him a little more and let him and his brother have some fun time but quiet time. He’ll be ready for school again in a few days.” Renie looked at Arryn when he stood beside her. “Mr. and Mrs. Advocate, we see this sort of thing all the time. Little boys falling on the playground and the school overreacting. I’m not saying that their overreaction wasn’t a good thing, but in this case, it was all right. Kelly here is going to be just fine.”

As he moved away from them, telling them that he was going to sign off on his discharge papers now, Renie felt like something had been sucked out of her. Leaning back on Arryn, she held onto Kelly’s hand.

“My name is Kelly Advocate?” She told him she thought so. “Cool. I like it. Can we go to your house now? I’m really tired.”

“I think that’s an excellent idea, son.” Arryn picked him up and held him as he held her hand. “Come on, Mom. Let’s go home.”

As they left the hospital, Arryn was talking to Kelly. Renie had no idea how they’d gotten to the hospital, and was surprised when Arryn led them to a large SUV. After Kelly was strapped in, she closed the door and reached for Arryn. He held her tightly until she lifted her head and looked up at him.

It had taken them nearly two hours to get the papers signed and then another three to figure out what to dress Kelly in. Apparently, they had cut all his clothing off when he was brought in. Arryn had to make a run to Walmart to pick him up some clothing and shoes. It was just going on lunch time now.

“Pizza. Could we stop for pizza?” He told her anything. “Tomorrow we can start on a proper diet, but pizza for my birthday sounds really good. Don’t you think?”

“It sounds perfect.” As they drove home, she called the house. Ms. Cara told them that she’d take care of having dinner delivered for them, and that the young master had been brought home as well. Mr. Gavin was presently in his room looking around. Ms. Cara said that she’d go shopping for more food later. After she hung up, Renie turned and looked at her son in the back seat. He was sleeping soundly and with a smile on his face. Renie was happy as she’d ever been.

And when she arrived at the house, it was a surprise to her to find not just the Mystics and protectors there, but Boss and Michael as well. But it was the cake and all the flowers on it that had her bawling like a baby when she was told to blow out the candles. Renie would never not celebrate her birthday again if she had friends like this.

“I love you guys.” Everyone hugged her and told her that she was loved as well. Renie wondered if they really knew how much they meant to her, and decided that she’d work on that as well.

Chapter 12

The line at the bank wasn’t that long, but Arryn wasn’t really concerned with how long it was taking them to shuffle the patrons through. He was more concerned with how long it was taking the bank manager to come and talk to them. He’d been told over an hour ago that they were waiting.

Riss and Valyn had come with them. Renie was looking calm and had her files on her lap like she had done this sort of thing many times. Kala was at home with her boys as well as Gavin, who had to wait another week before he could begin classes because they were waiting on the results of his placement testing. Kelly was in school, and Judith was going to get him should this run over…and it was looking more and more like it would.

“Mrs. Advocate? Mr. Grimmer will see you now.” When Renie stood, the rest of them did as well. The woman who had come to get her stepped back. “I’m sorry. I just…he thinks that he is only seeing her.”

“Where she goes, we go.” The woman nodded but looked nervous when Valyn put his hand on her shoulder. “When you take us into his office, I want you to clear out your desk and sit quietly until I tell you that you can leave.”

“I can do that.” As she led them to the door to the bank president, Arryn asked Valyn what he had done.

“I just made sure first of all that she wasn’t a part of this…which she is not. She’s wondered about the money he seems to be spending, but never asked. She needs this job.” Arryn asked him what else. “She’s going to come and work for me. As my cook. It’s been her dream to work in a big house and I’m going to let her help me out. There is no reason for her to be unemployed when the bank closes down, right?”

“But you don’t like people.” Valyn looked at Renie as she moved to have a seat, then looked back at him. There was something there, but Arryn never got a chance to ask him when the banker started speaking.

“I don’t know what this is about, but I thought that I was meeting with the new teller we hired. You should know that I don’t care for this show of whatever you think this might be. You might have just lost yourself this job.” Renie said nothing as two more chairs were placed in front of the big desk. “What is the meaning of this?”

“I’m not your new teller. In fact, the rest of the tellers are being led out by the police even as we speak. They’re going to be questioned, but I doubt any of them know what someone at this bank has been doing. If they do, then they too will be arrested.” He asked her what she was talking about. “Arrested. You know the meaning of the word. To be seized or taken into custody. Jailed. And in the case of the person skimming money from accounts, prison.”

“For what? I demand that you leave here this moment or I’ll be calling the police. You’ve no right to come in here and accuse me of anything.” She told him that she’d not accused him of anything. Yet. The door opened again, and a man that Arryn had only met today came in and stood in front of the door. “Who is this? Your gunman? Get out of my office. I have a business schedule today.”

As he reached for his phone, Valyn stood up and put his hand on it. Arryn was sure that it wouldn’t work for him when he sat back down, but it was funny to watch the man’s face. He was scared and getting more scared by the second. Renie put the first sheath of papers on his desk.

“These are the bank statements for Jellies, Jams and Preserves. You might also have it on your books as JJ&P. Or maybe it’s marked as client number twelve.” Mr. Grimmer didn’t even pick the file up, but it didn’t stop Renie. “She is number twelve in a longer list of names and clients that this bank, or someone that works here, has been scamming, isn’t she?”

“You’re barking up the wrong tree there, girl. You should really have some facts before you start spouting things you don’t know about.” Renie smiled and continued, only to be cut off again. “I’m going to only tell you once more to get out of my office before I call the police.”

“They’re here, as I have told you. And buddy, your threats are nothing compared to what I’ve been through lately. I’ve looked in the face of real evil, and you are nothing but a blip on my computer.” She handed him the next file. “This is Strategize Yourself. It’s an advertising firm that deals with huge clients with names like Sweet and a few others. She also works with JJ&P as their advertising firm. She’s on your list as number ten. I’m not sure how the numbering system works, but I have them all now.”

Mr. Grimmer leaned back in his chair but looked nervous. She had him; it was only a matter of him just coming clean. And Renie had assured them all, including the federal agent at the door, that he would come clean.

“The next client that has been scammed is Riss Trainer. He and his lovely wife, Kala, opened their account with nearly fifty million dollars. But the bank manager at the local level told them that they’d have to spread out their money should they want it to be covered. He’s a very smart man.” Grimmer said that all of his employees were smart. “Not as smart as you, are they? Never mind. The next four accounts, all numbered in order of date of the accounts opening, were Galin and Dusty McGee, Agon and Judith Guardian, and last but not least is Valyn Savior. Now, this is where you…or I mean someone here…messed up. They didn’t just skim this money over a period of time, they took out a large chunk of it right at the first. Then they had the nerve to charge him a finder’s fee for a house that was sold to him. I had to look that up. Banks aren’t allowed to charge a broker’s fee on houses that are on their books. I don’t know why, but there you have it.”

“Broker’s fees are fees that can be charged when we help a client find a house to buy. It is perfectly legal.” Renie shook her head at Grimmer. “How the hell would you know anything about this? Are you a banker?”

“No. But I do know how to look things up. And on all the websites that I looked on, it says so long as there is at least five hundred dollars in a personal account and a thousand in a business account at all times, there will be no fees. Not for checks cashed, nor any business fees for taking credit cards. Yet at this bank, at this office, the accounts are being charged not only fees, but very large ones. Mr. Collier, the manager at the local level, has taken off the charges for the house and all the other charges that were incurred to these accounts, just so you know. He was appalled that they were there in the first place.” That got Grimmer’s attention. “Oh, and you should write him a little note when you have time. He has been most helpful in having all the money returned to the accounts. It was with his help that I was able to trace the IP address to this office. I mean, this particular office.”

“What do you mean, returned to the accounts? All those fees are legal. I can show you where we have instituted that new policy recently.” Mr. Grimmer reached for a pamphlet on his desk, only to stare at Arryn when he stood up. Arryn was glad he could be a part of this. When he opened his notes, Arryn winked at Renie before speaking to Grimmer.

“There were seven off shore accounts. The first five were easy enough to trace back to this office, the last two had been set up from another address, and that was traced back to your home address…this time a physical one, not just a computer one. Is someone there using a computer that is in your office?” Grimmer shook his head slowly. “No one thought so, but we did need to ask. You live alone and have no housekeeper that we could find. You do have a service that comes in once a week to wipe up, but they cannot enter your office. You make sure that it’s locked at all times. Isn’t that right, Mr. Grimmer?”

“How did you…? You can’t know this. Are you spying on me?” Arryn told him that someone was, at all times. When Grimmer moved to his computer, Jack Spencer, the agent, moved to stand right behind him. Arryn watched as Grimmer moved his fingers across the keyboard quickly before he leaned back in his chair. “It’s gone. All of it. You really did find the accounts, didn’t you?”

“As I have said, it’s all been returned to the accounts you took it from.” When Spencer told Grimmer to stand up, he staggered slightly when he complied. But it was the look that he gave Renie that had Riss and Valyn move with Arryn to stand in front of her. His hatred was palpable. Cuffs were put on the man as his rights were being read, and Spencer laughed when Grimmer tried to get away from him.

“Why did you do this to me?” Renie asked him what he meant. “This. You know just what I’m talking about. You stole my money. I had great plans for that money. I was going to make a difference with it. This bank prides itself on making differences in other people’s lives, and I was going to use some of that for that very reason.”

“I’m sure you were. But the money wasn’t yours in the first place. And the people you stole it from had plans for their money as well. It was you who were the thief, Mr. Grimmer. You stole from them. I merely replaced it.” When Spencer started to finish reading Grimmer his rights, Arryn moved to stand beside Renie. He could feel her fear and pain.

When Grimmer and Spencer were gone, three men came in to gather things off the desk and in the files. Valyn went to talk to the woman he’d put on hold in the other office. Arryn simply held onto Renie.

“He’s going away for a long time, I think.” He agreed with her. “I did this to him. I mean, I know it was his doing, but I caught him. And as much as I hated making him realize it, I really enjoyed it.”

“Good.” They both turned to look at Spencer when he spoke. “I’ve spoken to a few of my colleagues while I’ve been working with you, and we’d like to hire you. As a consultant. I know that your time is valuable and we’d never interfere with that, but you could work from home and on as many projects as you want. Right now we have a back log of about two hundred, give or take a few more hundred.”

“You mean doing the things I did here?” He nodded, then shook his head. “You’re not very clear. I thought you guys were like the smartest people in the world.”

“Yeah, if that were only true. The bad guys—in this case, the cyber bad guys—are smarter than us and getting smarter by the day. Had you not found this, we would never have known a thing.” He handed them both a card. “Call me if you have any questions. And I’m serious when I tell you that you could help us out a great deal. And a lot of people like the ones you helped here would be very grateful as well.”

After he left them, they met the rest of their group at the car. It was lunch time and then after that, they were headed home. Judith was called and told what happened, and then she said she’d call the rest of them. She also said that Gavin was having a great time with her and Kala and the babies. Arryn just wanted to get back to his own family.

~~~

“I can’t do that.” Renie nodded at Gavin. He really was a great kid, but he was as lost over what to do with her as she was him. And getting him to open up was harder still. “You don’t have to spend that kind of money on me. I’m fine with what I gots.”

“Have. You’re fine with what you have. But you have to study, and wouldn’t it be better if you had your own computer?” He didn’t so much as blink an eye in response to her question. “Look, I have nine laptops, and eight of them are just sitting in the boxes. The FBI is going to supply me with what I need, but—”

“The FBI? You work for them?” She nodded and turned away. It was the first time he’d been animated about anything she’d said to him. “What do you do? Kill the bad guys? Do you get a gun too?”

“I’m sort of a boring kind of agent. Well, not really an agent so much as a colleague to a bunch of agents. They’ll be coming here some. I’ll make sure you can meet them if you want.” He nodded vigorously. “And what I do is find the bad guys through my computer work.”

“You can find them with a computer?” Gavin eyed the one in her hand. “Did you use that one to find them? Is it the one you used to catch him?”

“It is one of the ones I used.” Renie put it out to him and he stepped back. “I could show you how I do it. I mean, if you wanted to see it. I love what I do.”

Gavin wanted the computer. And not only that, she could tell he wanted her to help him with it. But she was thinking of what Kip had told her. Don’t push. It would only make him want to back off more.

“I guess it would be nice for homework. I know you won’t let me have the Internet and all. It’s too expensive.” She told him the whole house was hooked up, as was the wireless printer that she had for him. “Why are you doing this? You know that in a few days, you’re going to want to get rid of us again.”

“Why would you say something like that?” He shrugged. “I’m not going to get rid of you. Not ever. You’re my son. You and Kelly are going to live here for the rest of your lives.”

“Kelly is cute. I’m not.” She look at him, really looked at the kid. “I know that you only took me because that man asked you to.”

“You need a haircut. And some cloths that fit you.” Renie asked him to turn for her. “And some boots and shoes. How old are those you have on?”

“They were in the box at the shelter we were at before you came to get us.” Renie nodded, put the computer on the desk, and told him to come with her. They were nearly down the stairs when he asked her where they were going.

“The school first, to get Kelly. He gets out in…well, it’s too early for that. Why don’t you and I go to the computer store? I need a few things there, and I got your school results back too. Did you know that they want to put you in eighth grade already? I was going to talk to you about that but I forgot. I have a horrible memory when I’m working.” She gathered up her purse and her jacket. “After we go to the computer store, we can pick up Kelly and have a mall shopping spree. Haircuts, then we can have dinner. Maybe Arryn will be done by then and—”