“Uhh; it was nice to meet you… Mr. McCutcheon and Mr. Amoretti…” She said to the two men. My Uncle Sam nodded and smile at her.

“Please… Gabriel is fine…” He said to Carmen. She smile and nodded at him again and excused her self.

Jenny was standing close to me; eyeing me but I didn’t look at her. I couldn’t mutter any words. Gabriel McCutcheon doesn’t fly out much; he only does it if it’s going to be a serious meeting or a huge deal that he’s about to make. He usually makes other people come to him… and this; what he is doing right now is completely out of his nature.

“Jesus Christ Shane… what a catch, you got there…” Uncle Sam said and I laughed at his words. I looked at my dad again and his eyes were serious. Serious as he could ever be.

We stared at each other and it was like a showdown; who’s gonna break first? He did.

“She’s very pretty…” He said to me. The smoke of the cigar clinging in the air. “And a good cover you have here…” he said a he looked around the living room. “Good job…” He said.

“Thanks…” I said toneless.

I wanted to ask him all kinds of questions. Why in the world are you here? How is New York? The Peabody’s still run amok? Heather still bothering ya? Are you bringing me home? What do you think of Carmen? Yes; what do you think of her.

“Shane…” Jenny voiced out. I didn’t move; my eyes didn’t move. I stayed focus on my dad.

“Don’t you say another word…” I hissed at her. And she didn’t. How dare she? I trusted her… and this is what she did.

“It wasn’t her idea… it’s not Jenny’s idea… for me to come here. Be nice to her…” He said without even looking at me. Uncle Sam gestured the guards to leave us alone; to wait around the house. I know this drill; a few will go up to the rooms and have a look; they will search the house to the littlest details; to the nooks and crannies of the house. I kept quiet and still wouldn’t look at Jenny.