However...


    He''d noticed a long time ago that someone was watching him. If he went into the mountains to retrieve the item, it would be risky.


    Tarquin thought for a moment and said, "To avoid tipping our hand, I can''t go with you. Can you retrieve the item and bring it to the clinic?"


    If they were going to put on a show, they had to go all the way. He was here to pick up Lowell, so to maintain appearances, he would have to take Lowell to the clinic first.


    Wyatt hesitated, looking troubled. "The item is on a cliff face. The ce is extremely hidden and dangerous. A person can''t climb up there. An eagle carried it up. To get it down, we''ll need an eagle to fly up and get it."


    "But before I started ''acting'' crazy, I released my eagle back into the wild. Getting it down now will take some nning."


    Tarquin asked, "Can Dane''s eagle do it?"


    Wyatt frowned. "Dane doesn''t know about this, and his eagle has never been there.


    I''m afraid it won''t understand themand."


    "That''s easy," Tarquin said. "I''ll arrange it."


    They had Evan. This wasn''t a difficult problem.


    Tarquin sent Evan a message, telling him to call him back when Elysia Thorne wasn''t around.


    Soon, a video call from Evan came through. The little guy started right off the bat, "If you did something to wrong Mom, I''m not covering for you! We might have a deal, but Mom alwayses first in my book!"


    Tarquin sighed inwardly. His bond with his son clearly took a backseat whenever Elysia was involved.


    "This has nothing to do with your mother. I need Dane''s eagle, Jove, to help me get something. You''ll need to guide him."


    Evan was curious. "What is it? Important enough that you need Jove on the case!" Tarquin said, "It''s a secret for now, but it''s very important to Dad. It''s on a cliff face that a person can''t reach. Only an eagle can retrieve it."


    Evan''s tone was breezy. "Easy peasy. Where''s Jove? I''ll talk to him."


    "I''ll have Dane add you in a minute. Once they get to the mountain, he''ll start a video call with you."


    After hanging up, Tarquin said to Wyatt, "You and Dane go with Jove. When you get to the spot, my son willmunicate with him."


    Seeing Wyatt''s confused look, Tarquin exined, "My son, Evan, has a gift. He canmunicate with animals."


    Wyatt was surprised, but since Tarquin called it a gift, he didn''t ask any more questions.


    Tarquin added another reminder. "For safety, you should continue to act crazy for a while longer."


    Wyatt nodded quickly. "Got it!"


    In the yard, only Lowell and Dane remained; Dane had sent Diaz away.


    When Tarquin and Wyatt came out, Dane hurried over. "Wyatt!"


    Wyatt''s gaze was gentle. He lowered his voice and said, "They aren''t bad people. They''re friends of Mr. Bradford I''ll exin everyt


    in


    detailter. By the way, the show


    must go on. In front of outsiders, I''m stiff the crazy guy!"


    Dane stared at him, utterly bewildered.


    Tarquin looked at Dane with a friendly expression. Because of the deep friendship between their fathers, he saw Dane as a friend.


    He didn''t say anything sentimental, just gave simple instructions. "First, add Evan''s contact info. Then, take me and Lowell to the clinic. If any of Vigers ask what happened just say Wyatt had a sudden episode and hurt Lowell..."


    "..." Dane was still dazed, unable to make sense of the situation.


    He looked at Wyatt, who said, "Do as he says. After you drop them at the clinic, use the excuse of ''taking me back to the mountains ande with me to the back hills. I''ll tell you everything on the way."


    Dane could only nod, agreeing to take Lowell to the clinic first.