Page 14 of Asher's Assignment
That didn’t surprise him. Her quietness didn’t mean she wasn’t engaged; she was just observing as life went on around her.
He wagged a finger. “Maybe so, but that doesn’t mean persistence won’t wear her down. And I think someone needs to be there to convince her to put in cameras. I doubt she’ll do it on her own. Right?”
“Yeah. She’ll drag her feet.” Edie crossed her arms and glanced at Jordan. “I could call Mom and Dad. Dad would make sure she did it and would help her put them up.”
“No, I’ll go. Being there might be the only way I can find out who Connie Tyler really is. It might come down to me talking to people.” Asher held up a hand. “I don’t plan to talk to anyone as of now. Like you said, we don’t want to create problems for her if she’s hiding from someone. But if Esther is in danger because of Mrs. Tyler, I won’t hesitate to out her.”
Edie studied him for a long moment. “Are you sure, Asher? You’re not normally in the field. That’s more Dean’s thing.”
“I’m sure.” The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. He could use a change of scenery.
“I think it’s a great idea.” Jordan glanced at his wife. “It keeps you here and out of trouble, but it still gives Essy a layer of security that should make you happy.”
Edie huffed. “Fine. But for the record, I don’t like being sidelined. Even if it is for a good reason.”
Jordan walked closer and took her hand, tugging her into him. “Duly noted, babe.”
She rolled her eyes. “Keep it up, Jordie. I’ll make sure you change all the nasty blowout diapers.”
He scrunched his nose in disgust. “I’m sure I’ll get my fair share, anyway.”
Asher mimicked Jordan’s face. The thought didn’t appeal to him, either. “I’ll go book a flight. I should be able to get on the early flight to San José, then from there to LAX, and then Portland.”
Edie nodded. “Ford needs to find a friend who can fly and recruit him to our merry band. Then he can chauffeur us all around on a whim when we need him to.”
“We have Ezra,” Asher pointed out.
“I know, but the planes aren’t his. Brooke probably wouldn’t mind, but if we’re going to keep doing it, we need to pay her for fuel. Plus, it takes him away from his family. On short notice, I mean. We need someone who’s able to drop everything quickly.”
Tongue in cheek, Asher nodded, giving Jordan a look. Edie’s mind was like a tilt-a-whirl. Pregnancy hormones had hit her hard. “I’ll get on that.”
She rolled her eyes again. “Stop humoring me.” She pushed back from Jordan but kept hold of his hand. “Come on, Jordie. Let’s leave him alone so he can pack.”
Asher turned, smiling, as she pulled Jordan to the door. “I’ll keep you posted on things.”
“Yes, you will.” She glanced at him as she reached the front door. “Or I will be on a plane to Portland, and you won’t like me when I get there.” She speared him with a fierce look. “Keep my sister safe, Asher.” A vulnerable note he’d never heard from her before entered her voice. “Please.”
His smile faded away. “I will, Edie. You have my word.”
Six
Music blasted through Esther’s earbuds, and she hummed along, wiggling her hips to the beat as she vacuumed the gray rug covering part of her living room floor. The song crescendoed, and she raised the wad of cord in her hand, using it like a microphone to belt out the last of the lyrics. As the last notes faded, the sound of the doorbell pealing through the house filtered into her ears. With a quick touch, she turned off the vacuum and turned toward the front door, pausing her music.
The memory of last night echoed through her mind. She’d peeked outside earlier to get her mail. Her mysterious knocker hadn’t left any presents, for which she was grateful. But the lack of gifts or notes just left her wondering. Why had the person knocked? What did they want?
Cautiously, she crept toward the window. She didn’t know what she expected to see; if someone was ringing her doorbell, she’d never see them. But maybe they’d given up by now and were walking away. It wasn’t quite as late as last night—only a little after seven—but it wasn’t normal visiting hours, either. And the pizza she ordered for dinner shouldn’t be here for at least another ten to fifteen minutes.
The bell pealed again, then whoever it was knocked. Esther backed away from the glass and debated whether to answer. It could be a neighbor. Or her parents. Though they would probably call or text first, so she’d know they were coming.
“Esther?”
The deep voice on the other side of the steel door sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place it.
“Esther!” He knocked again. “It’s Asher. Open up.”
Her anxiety morphed to surprise. What was he doing here?
She strode the last few steps to the door and flipped the locks, throwing it open.
