Duke can't concentrate. He is texting Melody again even though she hasn't replied to the one he sent her before nor has she picked up his calls. " Hey, it's me again. Can you please pick up your phone? I know that I need to explain things to you. "He hits send and lets out air from his mouth. He waits, but she doesn't reply immediately. He sighs and drops his hand into his head. " She still hasn't called back?" Bloom, who is next to him, asks. "No. " Duke pockets his phone. " Maybe she is busy. "He knows that she is not. She has read every text, she has seen every phone call, and she still chose to ignore him because she wants to. " Yeah, maybe she is going to call back. " Duke tries to assure himself. " Yeah. " He sighs. " This is about Eve, I will try to contact Melody later." Duke runs his hand through his hair, he is trying to keep calm as he tries to concentrate. The church is getting filled up, he is in the last row with Bloom. He doesn't want to attract attention to
Duke stops, one of his feet is out of the car, but he returns it and shuts the door back. " What?" He turns around. " It's a rumor, she never confirmed it, but even I know that it's true. " Logan adds. Duke is stressed over this, he pushes his hair back and leans with his hand against his chin. " I wish you wouldn't speak to me in riddles right now. " Duke begs. " Eve has a child or she doesn't?"" Fine, she does. " Logan sighs. " She probably has. "" Come on, man. " Duke hits his knee with his hand. " Give me a clear answer. " " Look, she has this young teenage girl who was always with her, but for some time she is not. That's because she is at a boarding school most of the time. " Duke's chest heaves up and down. As if Eve's death didn't hit hard enough, now a child has been brought into the equation. " And you don't know anything about this child? Her name? Age? Where is she?" " Eve never let her speak to anyone and handled her affairs personally. " Logan tells him. " Th
Duke's feet are transfixed on the ground, he can't get his head over the off statement that Mister Jimmy has just made. He wants to question him on what he meant by that, but he decides against it. He pushes the door shut and leaves the house. He dials Bloom's number and places it against his ear. He takes the picture and puts it in his pocket, it's not something that he wants everyone to see. " Yes, boss?"Bloom answers. " I'm at the Futtermans, pick me up now. " He instructs. "On my way, boss. "Duke ends the call and puts the phone back into his pocket. He notices a car drive into the compound and he feels his breath heighten. He is just about to leave like he is going to be gone in a matter of minutes, so why does Melody have to walk in now?She is with her mother and they look like they have been shopping, it's evident with all the bags in their hands. Melody locks up the car and takes all the bags from her mother. Her mother notices Duke and smiles as she walks towards him
Early the next morning, before the sun wakes up from the horizon, Duke and Bloom are on their way to the airport. Duke didn't sleep a blink the night before, and that's because he is trying to get information on Eve's missing girl. As the car moves through the quiet road, Duke is looking into the darkness out the window as he thinks. " What have you found on the girl?" Duke asks Bloom. "Um, sir. " Bloom picks up his iPad and scrolls through it. " There isn't much sir. For all we know, Eve doesn't have a daughter legally. " Bloom tells him. " What do you mean by "legally"?" Duke snorts. " I mean, sir, that her daughter is not recorded with the government or anything. " Bloom explains. " Even if she gave birth to her, she wasn't registered. "Duke thinks, why would she do something like that? Is it because she had so many enemies and she wouldn't want anyone to know?Now she is dead and the girl is stuck in some faraway land?" So what can be done?" Duke inquires. "It's a tough
119" Jesus Christ. " Duke drops his head into his hand, for God's sake he just got here. " According to him, it's a matter of national security. Life and death. " Bloom reads out. " That's why there are a whole bunch of us," Duke yells. " Why does it have to be me?""Maybe that's because you are good at Killing people, boss. " Bloom shrugs. Duke stops and studies him. " Is that supposed to make me feel better or something?" Duke asks. " Sorry boss. "" This has to be the only one, Bloom." He warns. "Any more of this and I will have to kill you. "" Got it, boss. " Bloom apologize. " I am gonna be here a few minutes before nine tomorrow. "" Good." He grunts. " Now, leave. "Duke turns and walks into the house. His elegant house was the one thing he missed while he was in Dunville. Each time he has to pretend as if he is not one of the richest men in the county, he remembers the luxurious home that he left behind. Gwen is watching the television from the kitchen door and that'
Melody? No. He can't bring Melody to a meeting, she doesn't even want to see his face at this point. " I'm sorry, sir, but I don't think that my wife will be able to make it. " Duke quickly says. " She is kind of busy at the moment, traveling for work."" I am sure that she will make out time to attend such a huge party at that. " He insists. " Who knows? She might meet potential business partners while at it." He doesn't wait for Duke to answer to the remark he has made, he is leading him to the door. " I will see you at the party. And your wife too.""Goodbye, Mister president. " Duke smiles as he leaves. Under that smile are jaws clenched as hard as steel. Bloom stands up from where he has been seated and then he walks up to Duke. Duke is already leaving, so he is behind him as they both walk out. They get to the car and Bloom opens the door for Duke before hopping into the driver's seat. Bloom reverses the car and drives out. " How did it go, boss?" Bloom asks. " You guys
He ends the call on her and she can't even believe it. He called and just went on to talk about Duke without even asking if she is fine. She had to go back to work within weeks of her father's death and all he cares about is that she listens to the phony she got married to.She picks up her phone again and calls Duke. He knows what he has done and what he has put her through and that's why he picks up at the first call. " You know, I underestimated just how far you were willing to go for this. " She points out. " Good job. "" I am sorry, Melody, but I didn't have another choice. " He defends himself. " You weren't listening and I told you it's important. "" And the first thing you thought to do was to call my grandfather?" She fires. " Melody, he is the only one that you listen to. " " You know, this just makes you hate me even more. "" That's totally fair, I get it, but I promise that it will be worth it. You haven't told me what you want. "" I don't want nothing from you, D
Duke shuts his eyes as he feels the pain going from his cheek to every part of his body. He inhales sharply and looks at her, there is absolutely nothing that he can do to her. " Nice to see you too, Melody. " He says. " I don't know why you would want to slap me though. "" Why not?" She shrugs. " You dragged me here by my teeth, didn't you?"She hasn't forgiven him for calling her grandfather and him ordering her to come. Duke rubs his cheek some more and turns to Bloom who is now as white as a ghost. " Come on, in. " He sighs. She walks behind him and he walks to the door, he opens it for her and walks her into the house. " I think I am going to wait in the car. " Bloom points. " I think I am going to get some work done here. "Duke shrugs as he shuts the door. Melody is with her hands folded and she is looking around, but not in an impressive way. " Have a seat. " He gestures. " I have to put on my clothes, we leave in a few minutes. "Gwen walks into the room and she freez