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Atlas Missing - Part 3

"Can't you tell me?"

Jaci shook her head. "Not until you get your credentials tomorrow."

I must have looked #skeptical because she sighed. "I'm sorry. I was told not to say anything."

"Why?"

She shrugged. "No idea. I'm just following orders."

"That's ridiculous."

***

"I know, but I don't want to break the law as soon as I start. I may be a #heretic, disagreeing with them over some things, but you're not technically an agent until you have your badge."

"You're right," I said. "Was there something else you wanted to tell me?" I asked.

***

We lapsed into silence as our meals were placed on the table and I had to give the chef credit, the dishes had an amazing #aesthetic look to them. We took the time to appreciate the culinary delights and I wondered what fresh hell I would be thrust into on my first day.

***

"Yes, I did have something else to tell you. I changed my name. I dropped Garcia and went back to my maiden name, Foxx."

"You said you hated that name and always got teased with it."

"Well, I'll have to have a thick skin like a #pachyderm then, won't I?"

"Guess so."

***

"Anything new with you?" Jaci asked once she finished eating.

"I took in an #orphan for a few weeks while his aunt moved next door from out of state."

"How was that?"

I'm glad I don't have kids. They're difficult. Hands in everything and constantly asking questions."

***

"Was he really that bad?" She asked.

I nodded. "Yes he was. His mother died a few years ago, and his father was a complete #xenophobe. A racist bigot. The kid's lucky. His aunt is really nice. Hopefully she can turn him around before he ends up in jail or on a slab."

***

"Don't sugar coat it. Tell me what you really think."

"I think the man was a weasel. He oozed #charisma in the same way a snake oil salesman does, and he was always hateful. The world is lucky that some Good Samaritan beat his brains in."

"They haven't caught the guy?"

***

"Nope. Cops think the kid did it, but he's not admitting it and they have no other leads. It's a cold case."

Jaci shuddered. "Ok, let's finish up and go for a drink."

"How about a movie?"

"What's showing?"

"#Ocean's Fourteen," I said.

"Is George in it?"

"New cast." 

***

"Nah, what about that  new docudrama about life in politics, The #Sycophant?"

"We'll probably be dealing with enough political maneuvering ourselves tomorrow, I think."

"True, but political capital can come in handy sometimes."

"Do you have experience in that area?"

***

"A little," she said. "You know, I think I'm just going to get an early night. Big day tomorrow."

"So you say," I countered. "I'll probably be sitting at a desk all day."

"Go online and look at yesterday's Houston #Chronicle. You'll understand what I can't tell you."

***

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