Read Online A Storm Is Coming by LaShawn Vasser - Free Book Online Page B

thick red-rimmed glasses…those eyes were still too expressive. The sadness tugged at his heart.
    She responded, “Uncle Alex? Are you busy?”
    He gave her a warm smile, “I’m never too busy for you Cecily. Why aren’t you wearing your school uniform? As a matter of fact, it’s early yet…why aren’t you in school?”
    The teen walked into his office wearing a white t-shirt, distressed jeans, and a pair of white slip-on flats. “We didn’t have school today. So, no uniform.”
    Alex checked his calendar and there it was…no school. Damn it. He should have planned better. “I’m sorry, I missed it. I’m still getting used to having a teenager in the house. But, I’m so glad you’re here. I need a woman to help keep me on my toes.”
    With a smile that still didn’t quite reach her eyes, Cecily fidgeted, “Um…I was just wondering if…with Nana having gone home to Sicily for a while and Fabi out of town…if…you’d be home for dinner tonight? It gets a little lonely once your staff is gone for the evening.”
    Alex had to be more sensitive to his niece’s needs. It was hard for him as an adult to process the fact his brother was gone. It had to be doubly hard for a fourteen-year-old who’d lost her parent to develop a new routine.
    “I’ll make it my mission to be home at a decent hour tonight. Maybe we can even watch a movie before bedtime.”
    This time her smile made Alexandro feel as if he’d just discovered a cure for cancer.
    Cecily came around his desk and wrapped both her tiny arms around his neck, “Thank you, Uncle Alex.”
    Alex hugged her tightly, “The pleasure is all mine. I just have one request?”
    She pulled away from him and looked up with curiosity in her eyes, “Of course. Anything.”
    He laughed, “Please no musicals. I hate musical movies.”
    *****
    Alex spent most of the morning working away in his office. He would be leaving shortly to meet with Braylee and her team.
    The buzzing of his phone caught him off guard. He was tempted to ignore the call until he noticed the name that flashed across the screen.
    Quickly, he answered, “Detective Jones.”
    “Yes. Mr. Manchetti, I have some information that might prove useful to you. It’s not anything we can discuss over the phone or send electronically. Can we meet as soon as possible?”
    Alex looked at his watch, “When and where?”
    “Meet me at the underpass by lower Wacker Drive and Columbus in twenty minutes.”
    “It’ll take me at least thirty to get there from here.”
    “Then, I’ll see you in thirty.”
    Alexandro rose from his desk, quickly grabbed his keys and jacket letting Cecily know he was leaving on his way out the door.
    Once he was in his car and on the road, he called Braylee to let her know he’d be late to the meeting and to start without him. He knew how she was about being on time and didn’t want to piss her off especially after the night before.
    He told his car to dial Braylee, and moments later the ringing of her line was echoing throughout the car. Nate answered on the first ring, “Hinsdale and Associates.”
    “Nate. It’s Alexandro. Can you put me through to Braylee?”
    “I’m sorry she’s in a meeting.”
    Alexandro was frustrated. Typically, people moved heaven and earth to fulfill his requests. He wasn’t used to being treated in such a manner. While doing his best to keep his emotions at bay but quite sure he was failing miserably, Alex responded irritably, “Interrupt her.”
    Nate paused for a moment as if debating what to do but eventually decided due to the urgency in Alex’s voice to interrupt, “Hold on a minute.”
    Alex waited for just a few moments before he heard Braylee on the other end, “Alex? What could be so important that you couldn’t wait for our meeting?”
    “Detective Jones just called. He has some time sensitive information that he wants to give me. Braylee…he’s giving me this information off the grid. Somethings not right.”
    “How