Masterful Tactics

"Uncle, you should really rest. Once you're feeling better, we can chat more," Ella said softly, as Eric gently wiped away her tears with a handkerchief.

Lila glanced at Ella and remarked, "What a good child. I never expected that our Bobby... really is fortunate!"

Bobby, filled with relief, let go of Ella's hand. "Dean would be happy to know as well."

Lila's expression darkened at this, "That would be your cousin. We haven't heard from him in months. We don't have cell phones, and when we try calling, his phone is always off."

Ella's heart sank, and she instinctively looked at Eric.

Eric reassured her in a low voice, "Don't worry. I've already arranged for someone to find him."

Ella nodded, though she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling she had about her cousin, someone she had never met.

He was, after all, Uncle's only son...