TWENTY FOUR

I finished most of my work for the day and called my assistant. "I'm going out for a bit," I said.

"Okay, sir," she replied.

"If anyone calls, tell them I'm out," I added, feeling a twinge of excitement.

I glanced at my watch. It was almost time for Zenith and Zendaya to get out of school. I don't know why, but I wanted to pick them up. I wanted them to know they could rely on me. I hadn't felt this excited in a while. I took the elevator down, ignoring a few colleagues who tried to stop me with questions.

"Sorry, I've got somewhere to be," I said, brushing them off.

I walked briskly to my car in the parking lot. I could have called Paul to drive me, but I wanted to do this myself. For some reason, I felt protective of those kids. I enjoyed the look in their eyes when they saw me.

I got into my car and drove to the school. As I approached, I noticed Zenith and Zendaya coming out of an ice cream shop with a strange man. I looked again, thinking I must be seeing things.

Then the man tr