ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

Anderson opened and closed a file. "Shana will be glad to hear it. Any ideas where we go from here? We can't allow Kuznetsov to hold us captive in our own home. That's exactly what he's doing. We're sitting here waiting for his next move."

"Did Agent Ryan give you any indication when we'd hear back?" asked Zachery.

Jeff shook his head. "He just said when he knew something, we'd know."

"The only thing we know so far is they did a lousy job guarding Patricia." Anderson checked his phone. "Mom just texted. It seems Robert's family is doing as well as can be expected and appreciated the help."

Zachery's eyes met his brother's. "Robert was a good worker."

Shana stepped in the den holding the kitten, and handed Anderson the computer. "Thank you. I'm feeding Malachi and then going to bed. Newborn kittens sure eat often."

"Okay. I'll leave the computer on the desk. Help yourself to it. I won't be much longer. I'll be there in a few minutes."

Jeff and Zachery stared at Anderson.

"That didn't sound right, did it?" Anderson avoided their stares.


TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 33 part 1

Early the following morning, Shana rushed into the kitchen but found Anderson already cooking. "Darn, I had planned on making breakfast."

Anderson grinned. "What did you plan on making?"

"I thought French toast and eggs would be good."

"How about I make the eggs, and you do the French toast?"

Shana smiled. "Sounds good."

As Shana set out the ingredients, Anderson cracked an egg. "Tonight at sunset, Shabbat begins, correct?"

"It does, but..."

"I know you missed it last week," interrupted Anderson. "It won't be perfect, but I'll do what I can." He glanced at his ringing phone. "It's Agent Ryan. I need to see what he wants." He went into another room.

"I'll take over breakfast." A few moments later, she glanced up when she heard Anderson come into the room. "Good or bad news?"

Anderson stared toward the front door and paused. "Neither, right now. He's giving us a heads-up. Jeff, come in here. I need to talk with you." When Jeff entered, Anderson continued, "Ryan just called and said he had a surveillance camera placed by Shana's painting and caught a man attaching a small round disc. They're planning a raid on Anastasiya's Tea Room this evening. He wanted us to be alert in case there's a backlash. He figures there will be."

Jeff poured himself a cup of coffee and then took out his cell. "I'll text Zack. He's on his way back to Corpus. He needs to be aware." While he sipped his coffee, he leaned against the counter. "I feel like I should be doing something. You're cooking eggs, and Shana? Exactly what are you making?"

"French toast. You don't like it?" Before he answered, Shana continued, "You can put fresh berries, or syrup, or both on it."

Jeff laughed. "I've never seen it made before. I've just eaten it. I like it a lot. I'll set the table."

After they sat and blessed the food, Jeff asked, "Can we leave for Wild Road after the dishes are done? I want to be back in time to check the security for tonight and tomorrow. I don't want any mistakes."

Anderson nodded. "Good idea. I need to make sure Sabbath happens." Shana started to speak, but he held up his hand. "I don't want to hear it." He grinned. "I'm serious."

Shana sighed. "I can call Emily after I look at the rooms. Any idea who's going where?"

"Not a clue. I haven't given it a thought. I guess I know where the kitchen, dining room, and things like that are going, but other than that, no." Anderson took a bite of French toast. "This is good. There are seven of us who need bedrooms. So we'll have three left over for guest rooms. All I can say is have fun deciding."

Jeff took a drink of coffee and got up to refill his cup. "In this house the bedrooms are somewhat split-up. You might want to take that in consideration. Otherwise, you may want to draw straws."

"Should you, Emily, and Jane be close?" asked Shana.

"Probably. Helen should be fairly close to the kitchen. You, Jeff, and Philip are up for grabs." Anderson turned toward Jeff. "Any suggestions?"

"Maybe put either me or Philip toward the front and the other toward the back. Shana, you can take whatever room you like."

"Drew's easy. He'll take the master bedroom. I'll go from there." Shana hesitated, became quiet, and then almost whispered, "Are the rooms sound proof?"

"Good question." Anderson's eyebrows rose. "Jeff, any idea?"

"No. I guess we can test them when we get there. How's that, little lady?"

*****
Later that morning, Anderson walked into the den, snapped a picture, and then laughed. "This is priceless."

"What?" asked Shana as she walked over and took Anderson's cell. "Why'd you do that?" She began deleting it.

He reclaimed his phone. "I want that picture. It's great." He pointed as he spoke, "Here you are searching on the computer, your notepad, Romeo and Thor by your side, and curled up on a blanket your kitten right next to the computer. It's great."

"You're..."

Susan walked through the door. "Incorrigible. What has my son done now?" She laughed. "And he's my good one."

Anderson showed his mom. "Nothing much, just a little teasing. Mom, look at this picture."

"He's right on this one, Shana. It's a great shot. When did you get a cat?"

After catching up with the news, Michael walked in, and Anderson said, "Dad, good. We need to talk."

"Just spoke with Jeff. He's working things out." Michael smiled as he looked in his den. "Nothing so pretty ever sat at my desk before."

Shana jumped up. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean..."

Michael walked to her and gave her a quick hug. "Continue what you're doing. I don't mind, really."

Shana's eyes met Anderson's. "He means it, really he doesn't mind. Finish what you're doing." Turning toward his parents, he said, "Shana's decorating the Wild Road house. She's got some good ideas."

"I'll always go for comfortable, rather than stylish." Michael put out his arms. "Just look around."

The kitten started meowing.

Shana petted its head. "You hungry, little buddy? It's Malachi's feeding time." She shut the computer. "I'm finished for now." She picked up the kitten and headed for the kitchen.

Susan followed. "I'll come with you. Tell me all about how you're going to decorate the house."

"I'm having fun, but my biggest concern is assigning the bedrooms. What if I mess up?"

Laughing, Susan said, "Then people can just switch rooms. It's no big deal."

"I guess if you look at it that way, it's really not." Shana took a deep breath before she continued, "I guess you've already heard the FBI's raiding Kuznetsov's restaurant this evening."

"I have. Hopefully they can put an end to all of this." Susan reached over and petted the kitten. "It was nice of Zack to rescue this little guy. I'm glad he thought of you."

"Me too. Drew's not too happy about it. He's worried about the dogs."

"He's probably upset that it wasn't his idea to get you a kitten." Susan tilted her head. "Once this is resolved, are you staying?"

Shana stood. "I don't see how I can. I have a job back home." She handed Susan the kitten. "Can you finish feeding him? I just thought of something. I need to talk to Drew. I'll be right back."

Shana stood at the den's door. The three men glanced at her as Michael pointed to a chair. "Shana, how can we help you?"

"I need to borrow Drew for a minute, do you mind?"

Anderson stood. "Of course not. You look like you have a burning question."

In the hallway, Shana took a deep breath, her cheeks tinged pink, and then she blurted, "Do you mind if my bedroom's close to yours?"

Anderson laughed. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry. Why would I mind?"

"Sound doesn't travel well in the house, but it does travel. It would only be until I move back to Peoria. Are you sure you don't mind?"

He took her in his arms and kissed her forehead. "My suggestion would be to put twin beds in your room and a king-size bed in mine, for our wedding night."

Shana backed away. "You're ..."

"Incorrigible, I know."




Characters so far:

Shana Kohlberg -- a 25 year old high school English literature teacher -- she's trying to get her family's painting back
Anderson Sharp -- often called Drew -- 31 years old -- works part-time on Wall Street -- a billionaire from Texas oil wells
Dmitry Bezrukov -- one of three Russian men in black suits
Jeff Burk -- takes care of Anderson's cars and important security details.
Helen -- Anderson's cook
Jane -- Anderson's housekeeper
Philip -- Anderson's butler -- close friend
Kyle -- Anderson's dog walker
Axel -- Anderson's lead German shepherd
Thor -- Anderson's second German shepherd
Romeo -- Anderson's third German shepherd
Aaron Kohlberg -- Shana's older brother
Ivan Kuznetsov -- formally Ivan Morozov, I accidently chose a real person, so I have changed it present day owner of the painting.
Patricia -- Anderson's ex-wife
Emily -- Anderson's five year old daughter
Isaiah Glassberg -- Anderson divorce/custody attorney.
Jeremy -- Jane's second-cousin twice removed, NYC undercover cop.
Hannah Jacobs -- Shana's cousin, the same age and best friend. Married within the past year and just had a baby, Sarah. Her husband, Paul. Sarah was just diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease.
Joshua Colton -- Art Museum's curator
Benjamin Kohlberg -- Shana's father
Eliana Kohlberg - - Shana's mother
Maxwell Gaines -- Lawyer hired to retrieve the painting
Erich Berger -- Manager of the Dorotheum art auction house in Austria
Mary Pritchard -- The lady Anderson hired to help Hannah while she's in Boston with Sarah.
Zachery Sharp -- Anderson's younger brother
Michael Sharp -- Anderson's father
Susan Sharp --Anderson's mother
Leon Sharp - - Anderson's grandfather
Grandma Sharp - - Anderson's grandmother
Oscar - - Team Leader of the security detail
Detective Rollins - - Austin police detective
Agent Allan Ryan - - FBI agent