The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 33

Kas

Kas smiles as Eli's grandma shows him pictures from an old ornate picture album. He putshis arm around her and quietly listens as she talks about Eli's parents, Eli as a child andhappy family memories. He suppresses his feelings of guilt as she goes on contentedly onthe miraculous change in him and how happy she is that he has taken over the business. Herhand falls on a picture and she caresses it gently. He casually looks at the picture and hisheart almost stops. It's a picture of Ash Gray. It's a very old picture but it's definitely AshGray. "Grandma, this is...."" He pauses carefully because Eli's memories don't have Ashanywhere in them. "My son Ash. Your uncle who died many years ago. Remember?". Kasstares at the photo and he hears a soft voice in his ear. "Aah. Did you finally find me, Kas"?

Chess

He wipes the sweat dripping down his face as he enters the hallway. He is in the big houseto drop off an invoice for servicing the Bernard cars. He takes a detour and cheekily peeksinto one of the main living rooms. He hears Ryan Bernard's angry voice as the man paces theroom. "Can she just disappear into thin air? It's been done with proper planning! If Kaiserhas died weeks ago, who else can do this?". Chess watches fascinated as he watches RyanBernard's livid face,  "What do you mean you cannot find that boy Ash? He used to be withKas all the time. Keep searching. It has to be him!". He quickly moves out when he sees RyanBernard hang up. He sniggers quietly to himself thinking Eli would enjoy this tidbit. It alsogives him a chance to meet Dor. 

As he walks out, he sees Zander sitting by the pool. His face looks distraught and he keeps staring at his phone. It's a classic heartbreak expression. Music by Ryan Bernard and acting by Zander Bernard. It's the sweetest scene ever. Half an hour later, he is leaning over Dor's counter and she ignores him as usual. He whispers chattily, giving an exaggerated description of all that he encountered the big house. He makes sure he keeps his voice low as Eli has given strict instructions that no one is to be trusted. He has carefully edited the Kas part from Ryan Bernard's telephone call. He knows that Dor is still very sensitive about it. "Dor", he adds after the elaborate report, "why do you still live with the old man"? She stills for a moment then shrugs "conditioning, I guess".

He pushes his luck "Dor, have you ever thought of leaving him"? She stops her work and looks at him "And go where? To whom?" He doesn't even blink as he replies "To me. Permanently.".

Kas

He watches the young woman with the little girl in front of him as they browse through theclothes in a boutique. They are in his mall and its Alice and the little Megan Bernard. Thereports had come negative so Megan is definitely not Ryan Bernard's daughter. AliceBernard's father had been one of Ryan Bernard's suppliers who had gone bankrupt. Therehad been a hush quick marriage between Alice and Zander. Alice's mother who has sincethen passed away was Sierra Bernard's friend and both women had been keen on themarriage. Kas watches her as she dotingly picks clothes for the little girl. It's obvious she is acaring mother. But the question arises as to who is the father? And why does Alice continueto live with an obviously gay man. He dials Neil "Watch Alice Bernard carefully. I want all herhistory, past boyfriends etc. Also offer Kevin's father a good position. Make sure he breaksfree of Ryan Bernard. The job has to be in another city. Kevin also moves away with theboyfriend we planted. Time to isolate the Bernards."