Not a fool this time…. Chapter 18
After Richard left Walter made sure all was locked up, security inside and out was on and operating before going up the steps to the loft. Gale had taken a shower and lounging in a robe while combing out her long brown hair.
She looked to Walter when he entered. "You aren't worried about that guy, are you?"
"I had said I did not want to get involved in the family dynamic, but it came to my door, anyway." Walter said sitting on the sofa.
Gale joined him. "I think the guy was just trying to push his big, bad self but won't try anything- he has too much to lose- already taking a risk with the crap he said- could lose him his job."
"I do not have as much trust in the goodness of people as you, Gale, especially government types. I have had dealings with them since a young age…. did not always end well."
"Forget about it for now. Not worth the headache." Gale said continuing to comb out her hair. "That sounds like a lot of benefit for Ralph. Guess it isn't surprising Richard is a billionaire as he certainly seems to have a knack for gathering the best and brightest…. like you and now Ralph."
Walter gave her a hug and cradled her in his arms. He ran his fingers through her hair. "I know you keep saying your hair is 'blah brown' but it has different shades in it- like mahogany. Beautiful, like the rest of you. Same with your eyes- color seems to change with what you wear- sometimes look gray, sometimes blue….. you keep me intrigued." He gave her a kiss. "Where would I be without you…. I am going to take a shower, then I think a bit of a siren song would top off the evening just fine."
"Go ahead- I will be in bed awaiting your presence with anticipation."
Saturday morning, Walter was using his desktop computer doing some research. Gale was working on coding for a security program and Ralph was in the kitchen fixing breakfast. Scrambling eggs, sausage and toaster popping.
"You guys ready to eat? Breakfast is ready." Ralph called.
Gale joined him in the kitchen, "Wow, looks good, Ralph. Eggs nice and fluffy, yum. Walter you coming?"
"In a moment."
Gale and Ralph sat at the table and started eating and were almost finished before Walter left his computer. "Sorry, got a bit involved in some research. Looks good, Ralph, thanks."
"After I clean up, I am heading to the beach," Ralph said and took his and Gales empty plates into the kitchen.
Ralph was sitting on the bench when Paige parked and walked over to sit with him. "I don't even know if it is OK to give you a hug anymore," she said.
"I don't know why. My problem was never with you, mom," Ralph said then leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek. "There were just too many bad decisions- forbidding contact with Walter and having Sly keep track of my computer use. Then taking my computer and phone, and making it so I could not get to my college classes. All that was impacting my future. You and Walter, the Scorpion blow-up and driving him out of business- was it worth it?"
"I do not want to discuss past problems- it is done. Now that you are a legal adult, what are your plans?"
"I am seeing about early graduation from high school so I can get back into my college classes. I will be checking into an internship with one of the local big tech companies. I will be having a few hectic months until the end of the school year then should be settled into classes and job. Getting into what I want for my future."
"I am going to miss you- feel rather lost without you around."
"Mom, you have a new husband, who knows maybe another child- one easier than I was. I will remain in LA for the foreseeable future. We can still spend time together. All kids leave the nest, just some sooner than others." Ralph said. "Not like I disappeared from the planet."
Paige looked out at the waves. "How is Walter?"
"Walter is fine, though tense when he came to the garage to find Steve there."
"WHAT?" Paige exclaimed.
"You didn't know he went to the garage? Was not a good move on Steve's part. Needless to say security has been scaled up- you are well aware how protective Walter is. Should anything happen to Gale or me, he will move heaven and earth to do what he thinks he should- he is not a force to take lightly."
"I will talk to Steve. Want to take a walk and get some ice cream?" Paige asked.
"Just been waiting for the suggestion." Ralph said standing up.
Monday morning, Walter dropped Ralph off at school then returned to the garage where Gale was continuing to work on the coding job. He sat at his desk and opened the laptop to sit on the corner when an alert for mail sounded.
Walter- Don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. I have a personal property you and Gale might be interested in. Let me know if you both are available and I will come pick you up. Richard.
"Gale, that was a message from Richard. Want to go with him to check out a property? He will pick us up if you want to go."
"Sure, will be good to get away from this keyboard for a while."
Walter hit reply: ready when you are. Within an hour Richards SUV driver pulled in, Richard riding shotgun. When they climbed in Richard said, "you guys are gonna' love this place. It is only an acre but a lovely house, pool, and extensive security, including Adam and Sue former Marines…. and then there is always Peaches and Cream." Richard laughed at that. "It is a nice, quiet residential area, fully fenced, three bedrooms, four car garage- a den for your servers. Sound like a real real estate agent, huh?"
"You said this was a personal property?" Walter asked.
"Yes, I had picked it up and had it all set up with tight security after you got Zoe home to me safe. Of course she didn't want to live there so it has been empty all this time."
The SUV cruised down a long driveway to stop before the garages.
"Come on, meet Adam and Sue." Richard said getting out.
"Hey, Richard, finally remembered you had this place?" Adam said with a big grin.
Walter, Gale, this is Adam and Sue. They live in the smaller house. I will let them tell you all about the place and I'll just follow along."
Adam waved to the structure. "The smaller house is attached to the larger house through the garages. They are separated but there is a door for access should the need arise. There can be movement throughout the entire structure without being visible to the outside. Each houses kitchen opens to the garages. There are nine security cameras outside monitored by my computer inside or my phone. And then there is Peaches and Cream- either of you have a problem with dogs?"
Gale and Walter shook their heads so Adam whistled and two Dobermans bounded out of their open kitchen door, through the garage to sit next to him. "These two patrol the property. No one comes on property that they do not hear and let me know. Once you are properly introduced, they will be unobtrusive to your presence, just cruise through to keep an eye on things. Between the four of us- me, Sue, Peaches and Cream, security is no problem."
"Wow, they are beautiful," Gale said.
"Home," Adam said and both dogs returned to the kitchen of Adams place. "As you can see they are well trained. That is my hobby- dog training."
"Love Peaches and Cream." Richard said. "Let's go sit on the patio while Gale and Sue check out the house. You can see just how peaceful it is here- unlike the garage."
Walter laughed. "You never have liked the garage. It is quiet here."
Sue and Gale went back inside the house to look around some more. "It may seem a bit strange to have the place set up like this, but Richard was extremely focused on security when his daughter was safely returned to the US and him by the Scorpion team. That is how Richard met Walter. His daughter told us all about it. Walter's plan left the entire cartel gang under their own remote controlled motion detection operated guns- for twenty-four hours while they all just sauntered right out. Wish I could have seen that, and to be honest, I think Zoe had a bit of a crush on Walter….. don't worry, she outgrew it. Have to admit, though, that whole ordeal sure took the idealistic stupid right out of her head. She and her 'capitalist pig' father have never been closer."
"This sure is a lovely place- so quiet for being in the city limits. Not sure we could afford it, though" Gale said. "Can picture a line of orange trees along that section of fence, and a big pot with a dwarf lemon by that window. Lemons flower all year 'round so they emit the citrus fragrance so perfect by windows. When we get a place, we plan on starting a family- you guys could handle noisy children so close?"
"Adam and I never had kids, but many of our friends do, so not a problem. Most of our friends are military- former or presently serving. Many people these days are not overly fond of military personnel, could you handle military personnel so close?"
"My father was Navy as was my brother. There was always competition between Navy and Marine," Gale laughed, "could you handle that?"
Sue laughed as well. "We, Adam and I, will have as little or as much interaction as whomever is living in the 'big house' wants. The access between the houses is for security purposes only when, if there is a need. Shall we go join the men on the patio or do you want to see anything else?"
All sitting on the patio in the quiet was pleasant as the sun went down. Richard rose and said "been nice seeing you two again, Adam and Sue. Walter, Gale, shall we head back to the garage?"
"Adam, Sue, been a pleasure." Walter said as Gale waved good-bye and got in the SUV.
"I do not expect you to make a snap decision," Richard said. "I just thought the place might be interesting for a first place. It is a shame it has been vacant so long- like I said, it completely slipped my mind."
"What do you think Gale?"
"To be honest, I already pictured some orange trees along a section of fence and a dwarf lemon in a pot by a window. It is a lovely place, quiet and peaceful but can we afford it?"
Pulling up to the garage, Richard said, "Like I said, think about it, and I can work a good deal for you if you want the place as it has been vacant too long."
As they were getting out of the SUV Walter said 'We will think on it and let you know. We can hash out the details then. Good night and thank you, Richard."
Ralph opened the door for them. "Been monitoring the security feed. You guys have a nice evening? Now that you are here, I am going to hit the hay. Good night."
Walter and Gale went into the kitchen to set up coffee for the morning then climbed the stairs to the loft.
"What did you think of that place, Walter?"
"Certainly convenient, nice and quiet for being in the city. Big enough….. not so sure about chickens- that might be a no-go."
"You could live with people so close by? They seem like a nice couple, though." Gale said. "Have to admit, they have a sense of humor with Doberman's named Peaches and Cream. Security sure would not be a problem with them around."
"I will ask Richard the price Monday." Walter said giving Gale a hug. "Looks like a nice, family type abode, indeed. Shall we retire, Mrs. O'Brien, and practice the baby making process?"
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