I was entertaining Angelica and TJ, who were excitedly looking on, clapping and squealing at my antics while balanced atop the airwheel. I’d noticed the boy look on curiously so I hopped out. I encouraged Nate to hop on the airwheel and invited him to take it around for a spin. As he tentatively directed the airwheel back and forth in the long hallway of the open space first-floor of the duplex, the look of joy shining out from his face told both Chris and I that he’d immediately gotten hooked on the airwheel. So we got one for him, and had it shipped to Jack’s house, as a surprise for the boy, whose birthday was coming up.

I breathed out a sigh of relief now. “I’m glad that Brom assigned this to you, then, Jack, since you and I know each other. I really need to work on this with someone I know and can trust.”

He grinned back at me. “When Brom sent a broadcast text around, I answered him right away. My family and I were stopping by Vegas anyway, while on our way to the Grand Canyon. And it wasn’t difficult to explain to my family that I needed to come over and help you. So it’s my pleasure, entirely, to be able to help you out, Aerin.”

And then he paused, pursed his lips, remembering his mention of Chris’ name. He touched my elbow briefly. “I’m sorry about Chris, Aerin…”

I nodded and gave him a small smile. “Thanks, Jack. It hurt for a while. I honestly thought I’d never get over it. But then I met someone recently …”

His eyes brightened up. “Really? That’s great, Aerin!”

I smiled again, and then bit on my lower lip nervously. “She’s the reason why I need your help, actually.”

“I see … so this woman … Allegra … is…” he started to say, as he pulled out a mini-tablet, and thumbed through the screen, scanning through the information being displayed there.

“She’s someone who’s running some kind of high-class escort service in this area, and Harley, she’s the one I’ve … um … fallen in love with … used to work for her,” I interrupted haltingly.

He looked up in surprise.