Chapter 526: Happy 58th Birthday, Dalton Jenson
Chapter 526: Chapter 526: Happy 58th Birthday, Dalton Jenson
When Zoe Morgan got home, she thought about texting Aria Sinclair to ask if she wanted to meet up and talk tomorrow.
She typed out a message but deleted it all just before hitting send.
She gazed out the window, a new firmness hardening her expression.
’Perhaps I should talk to my older brother instead of Aria Sinclair.’
She had already spoken to Aria Sinclair last time, and it hadn’t done much good.
With her brother, she might be able to bring herself to tell the truth.
The Morgan residence.
The moment Yvonne Morgan got home, she took a box of pastries upstairs to find Aria Sinclair.
"Mom." She raised a hand and knocked on the door.
There was no sound from inside. She knocked again. "Mom, can you hear me?"
A moment later, Aria Sinclair opened the door, her face clouded with fatigue. "Yvonne, what is it?"
"Mom, was I disturbing you? Were you resting?" Yvonne Morgan’s expression immediately turned apologetic. She lowered her gaze and said, "I’m sorry."
Aria Sinclair said softly, "It’s nothing. I just didn’t sleep well last night, so I’m a little tired."
"Then first thing tomorrow, I’ll go buy some calming herbs and make a soup for you," Yvonne Morgan said, holding out the bag in her hand. "Oh, and Mom, I bought these pastries from your favorite bakery."
"Yvonne, you don’t have to go to the trouble. Just have Mrs. Lowe prepare it." Aria Sinclair gave a gentle smile as she took the pastry bag. "The line at that place is always so long."
"As long as you like it, Mom, waiting in line is no big deal," Yvonne Morgan said dutifully. "Well, I won’t disturb your rest any longer. Good night, Mom."
"Good night." Aria Sinclair watched her go, then closed the door. She carried the bag over to the sofa and sat down.
She hadn’t eaten pastries from this bakery in a long time. They must have changed either the baker or the recipe, because the last few times she’d tried them, they just didn’t taste the same.
She hadn’t liked them for a long time, but it was a thoughtful gesture from her daughter. Aria Sinclair put the pastries in the freezer of the small refrigerator she used exclusively for skincare products and nutritional supplements.
After doing all this, she sat back on the sofa, staring blankly into space.
’I wonder if Renee Jennings will be streaming tonight...’
Renee Jennings was not streaming tonight. After having dinner with Faye Wyatt and a few others, they had moved on to another spot for drinks.
It wasn’t a good idea to stream after drinking, lest the alcohol make her loose-lipped and she say the wrong thing.
The next day, Renee Jennings received a call from the police station. Director Lowell wanted to make good on his promise to Inky and throw a celebration to thank the bird for its help in catching Sean Quinn.
"Great," Renee Jennings agreed happily. "I’ll contact them now."
After hanging up, she walked into the courtyard, took out a whistle, and blew a sharp note.
A moment later, several small birds came fluttering down in front of Renee Jennings, Inky leading the flock.
"Renee, Renee, were you looking for us?" Inky asked.
A smile played on Renee Jennings’s lips. "I was," she said cheerfully. "To thank you all for your help with their cases, the human police want to treat you to a big meal. Are you interested?"
The little birds immediately huddled together, chirping amongst themselves.
Finally, Inky landed on Renee Jennings’s shoulder. "Renee, will you come with us?"
"Of course."
"Great!" Inky chirped happily. "We’ll go!"
"Alright, I’ll let them know to get the food ready." Renee Jennings took out her phone, dialed Henry Stark’s number, and told him the news, rattling off a list of the birds’ favorite foods.
The police station held a special celebration that day. The long conference table was laden with all sorts of treats: dried insects, grains, fresh water, fruit, and more.
In the world of birds, this was the equivalent of a high-end buffet.
Everyone ate with gusto, occasionally chirping and chattering amongst themselves.
Watching the scene, a gratified smile spread across Renee Jennings’s fair, lovely face.
After the birds had their fill at the buffet, they chirped their thanks and goodbyes to everyone before flying off.
"How about we all get dinner together tonight?" Henry Stark asked, walking over to Renee Jennings.
"Can we do it next time?" Renee Jennings explained. "It’s my dad’s birthday today."
Henry Stark raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Of course. Wish your dad a happy birthday from me."
"Thanks," Renee Jennings said, pulling out her phone to check the time. "I have to get going. I need to pick up the cake."
"Alright. Drive safe." Henry Stark walked her to the entrance and watched from a distance as she got in her car and drove away.
"Chief, can I talk to you for a minute?" Zachary Conway’s voice suddenly spoke up from behind him.
Henry Stark turned, eyeing him. "What about?"
Zachary Conway pursed his lips. "It’s about... relationship stuff."
"You want to talk to *me* about relationship stuff?" Henry Stark’s dark eyes narrowed, his tone laced with uncertainty.
"Yeah," Zachary Conway nodded.
Henry Stark frowned. It was strange, but he agreed anyway. "We’ll talk after work."
"You got it."
**
The private room was filled with birthday balloons. Renee Jennings had also ordered a custom banner, which read: "Happy 58th Birthday, Dalton Jenson!"
She handed the cake to a server. "Could you please keep this in the fridge for us? Thank you."
Soon, Michelle Fuller and Sylvia Brooks arrived, each carrying a bouquet of flowers.
"Huh? The birthday boy isn’t here yet?" Michelle Fuller asked, looking around the room curiously.
Renee Jennings was pulling out the banner, getting ready to hang it on the wall. "They’ll be here in a bit. Zane and Jasmine have dance class today, and it runs late."
"Ooh!" Michelle Fuller clapped her hands excitedly. "Then when we visit for the New Year, we can have Zane and Jasmine perform for us!"
Renee Jennings nodded. "Good point."
Sylvia Brooks came over to help with the banner, sighing. "The New Year was a nightmare for me as a kid. The adults always made me get up and perform something."
"Summer, my heart breaks for you," Michelle Fuller said with great sincerity. "So, this New Year’s, can you perform that childhood talent for me?"
Sylvia Brooks was speechless.
She looked at Michelle Fuller and said dryly, "I’m not exactly feeling the sympathy."
"Hehe." Michelle Fuller stuck out her tongue. "The sympathy is real, but I also really want to see you perform!"
Sylvia Brooks gave a resigned smile and asked, "Weren’t you ever made to perform for the adults when you were a kid?"
"Nope." Michelle Fuller shook her head. "I didn’t have any talents as a kid. I was a total crybaby, so who would dare ask me to perform?"
"Ah, I see." Sylvia Brooks turned to Renee Jennings. "What about you, Renee?"
Renee Jennings finished taping up the banner and hopped down from the stool. She put her hands on her hips, admiring her handiwork with a grin. "My special talent is stress-crawling around in the dark. Not exactly a crowd-pleaser."
Sylvia Brooks just assumed she was joking.
The door to the room was ajar, and the sound of laughter drifted in.
The three women turned toward the door at the same time.
The door swung open and Dalton Jenson walked in, leading the group. He had a warm, simple smile on his face, which froze the moment he saw the banner on the wall.
"This..." He pointed at the banner, looking dumbfounded. "It’s my birthday today?"
’Good heavens,’ he thought, ’we came to such a fancy place to eat... because it’s my birthday?’
"Dad, happy birthday." Renee Jennings’s lips curled into a slight smile as she handed him a folder. "This is your present from me."
"I get a present, too?" Dalton Jenson’s face flushed with nervousness, and he quickly waved his hands. "You don’t need to give me a gift. The thought is more than enough."