Michael entered the Coco Kabash, straightening his suit lapels. He was seated at a table next to a family, who he was not surprised to find that it consisted of Alex, Heather, and Mark. He started a little when Alex winked at him conspiratorial while Mark and Heather tried to pretend he wasn't there. Alex grinned.
Call me if you need help, he mouthed, before turning to Heather to ask if he could get a soda.
"Mister Adkins. So nice to see that you're on time."
"Mister Stewards, pleasure. I must say I enjoyed our chat last night."
"Me too. Now down to business, I am for joining with you but I believe that we will need to see each others arrangements. How does this weekend sound. I need to clean up a bit before I have guests if you know what I mean."
"Of course. How does Sunday sound?" Michael asked.
"Wonderful. I'll call you about locations," Eugene replied standing up, shaking Michael's hand before leaving. Michael sat back down, taking a sip of his drink. He watched as Alex left Heather and Mark to go back to the soccer game. As Alex passed Michael watched him drop a piece of paper on his table. Michael waited a minute before paying the bill and leaving before reading the note.
Please leave Stewards to me. You will only complicate things. You don't understand what is going on. ~ Alex
Michael pocketed the note before calling Sam.
"Hey, Mikey."
"Sam, You have anything?"
"Not much Mike. Helen Beckett studied medicine at Oxford before working at a St. Dominic's Hospital. She dropped of the grid a few years later."
"Anything on John Hunter?"
"No. Dude's a complete ghost Mikey."
"Thanks Sam."
"No problem, Mike."
Michael took off across the park and sat on a bench, watching the pick-up soccer game. Michael watched the boys played for a few minutes until Alex's team scored a goal. Alex pardoned himself for a few minutes, running over to where Michael was sitting. Alex sat down, taking a drink from his water bottle.
"So do you stalk many fourteen year old boys, Michael?"
"Only the ones who keep trying to stop me from doing my job."
"Really? Last I heard you were burned. So technically you would be the one stopping me from doing my job."
"How do you know Helen Beckett and John Hunter?" Michael asked. Alex laughed.
"Do you really believe I would tell you?"
"Well I was hoping. You said call if I need help. This is me calling."
"When you put it that way. I'll tell you this. Helen married John. There was a small wedding. I also told you that Stewards gave the wrong last name."
"Thank you. One more question. Last night when you said that the meaning of the wrong last name was easy enough to discern given the proper background, what is that background?"
Alex stood.
"Think along the lines of zodiac signs. If you know the proper information you'll get the idea. Feel free to call for help or when you get my clue. Bye!"
With that Alex ran back to the game, leaving Michael to his thoughts.
