CHAPTER 77
(part one)

Friday midday — 11:45 A.M.

Valerie skipped over to the limousine and slipped in the back. She threw her arms around Mike. Laughing, Mike kissed her cheek.

“You seem very happy and very dirty,” he said.

“I happen to be very happy and dirty.” She beamed at him. “Guess what my master secret plan was?”

“Tearing down half of Sandy’s father’s house?”

Laughing, Mike buckled Valerie’s seat belt. He tapped on the glass and the driver took off toward Denver International Airport.

“I wanted to tear the whole thing down, but the FBI had other ideas,” Valerie laughed.

“What happened?”

“We found like a billion or so dollars – actual hundred dollar bills! – inside the walls of the house,” Valerie said.

“A billion dollars? What?”

“I don’t know exactly how much money. But a lot. Check this out. I’m there arguing with the FBI person about who owns the house, and the money, when an armored car pulls up,” Valerie said.

“An armored car?”

“Sent by Jake,” Valerie said. “The Lipson people and the armored car guys had most of the money loaded before the agent could get an answer from his higher ups. By the time the FBI got there, the money was already off to the bank to be counted.”

“Why would Jake send an armored car?”

“Just thought we might need one,” Valerie repeated Jacob’s usual cover for his psychic abilities.

“He didn’t know anything yesterday,” Mike said.

“His skills are changing, strengthening,” Valerie said. “He’s gotten really powerful. How did it go at the Castle?”

“The big unveiling? Katy squealed, laughed, hopped around and begged Jill to bring Paddie to see. Jill cried when we said goodbye. Delphie made me take some brownies with us. I think everyone is going to miss us.”

“You,” Valerie said.

“Us,” Mike said. “You and me. Over the last months, we’ve become family. It’s been nice. For everyone.”

“I’m sorry to take you away from your family,” Valerie sniffed.

“Our family.” Mike stroked her face. “And we’re both going to Prague. You’ll be away from your family.”

“My family…” Valerie sighed. “Yeah. I guess you’re right. It’s been… nice. Dad was really sweet when I left. He told me that he loved me and would look forward to seeing me soon. Nothing special, but… it felt really good.”

Mike leaned over to kiss her but pulled back before their lips touched.

“When are you going to shower?” he asked.

“Airport VIP lounge.” Valerie laughed. “Wait ‘til you see how bad I smell on set. They strap me into some leather or plastic outfit with my breast pressed up to my chin then I jump around for twelve hours and…”

Glancing over at him, she caught his lust-filled look.

“I can hardly wait,” he said.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….