"Lisbon?" Patrick repeats. "As in Tommy Lisbon's daughter Annabeth?"
"You know her? How? She's two years younger than me."
"She's my partner's neice."
As if on cue, the elevator dings and Teresa steps out. She slightly glances toward Jane's couch but doesn't realize there is an extra person there. She sets her things down in her office then moves to the kitchen for coffee to wake her up. Waiting by the counter, she notices a young girl blowing bubbles into a glass half-full of chocolate milk.
"Hi. My name's Teresa."
"Hi." She waves, pushing the drink away from her. "I'm Zari."
"That's a pretty name." She sits down across from the girl. "What are you doing here?"
"Drinking milk." She answers incredulously.
"I see that. Where are your parents?"
"Daddy's in Heaven and the bad man taked Mommy."
"What bad man?" Her interest is suddenly risen.
"The bad man I'm not apposed to know bout."
The coffee sings. Teresa takes the pot and pours herself a cup. She sits it on the counter then continues her short conversation with Zari.
"Do you know someone who works here?"
"Uh-huh. My uncle."
"Where is your uncle?"
"With my sister."
"Take me to them?"
Zari nods. She stands up and takes Teresa's hand, walking her back to the couch. Teresa is confused. Zari lets go and makes a running jump to the couch.
"I don't understand."
"T'resa." Patrick speaks softly but sternly. "You're in danger."
"Danger?" She is beyond confused but stays still.
"You're Teresa. I'm Winnie." The teen extends her hand.
Teresa shakes it but Winnie holds on. "My sister and I came to ask shelter. A bad man took our mom and he's after us. Not only us, but my best friend and her immediate family."
"Best friend." Teresa repeats, looking at Patrick.
"Yes." She sighs. "Annie Lisbon. Uncle Pat says she's your niece, so you're in danger as well. Uncle Pat says we'll be safe at his motel. Do you have Annie's address?"
"231 Lincoln Avenue." Teresa mutters absently as she watches Winnie and Zari run to the restrooms, and then she falls beside her consultant. "You're an uncle?"
"That's all you got out of that?" He chuckles. "Your life's in danger and you only care that I'm an uncle?"
She sighs and looks back to him. She looks over his furrowed three-piece suit and the hollow bags beneath his eyes. She clicks her tongue disapprovingly. Jane sighs at this and she starts up.
"You haven't been sleeping again."
It isn't a question and he isn't treating it like one.
"No, I haven't, T'resa. But you look chipper."
"Uh-huh." She rolls her eyes then pauses. Her eyes narrow. "How did those two get in here in the first place?"
"Bikes." He shrugs, standing up to type up Annie's address.
"No, no. How did they get into the building?"
"Tommy likes dinosaurs." Jane grins.
"Is this supposed to be some sort of code, Jane?"
"Call it whatever you want." He waves his hand dismissively. "But Tommy likes dinosaurs."
Okay, I know that was short, but I felt like the story needed an update. Please review!
