#bergen_county

the Croix family post Christmas, the house is something to see. New roof, new paint, new wiring. Even a solar panel (Nocker cousin helped)

and two kids playing in the yard

Frank drives by in Brekke's jeep, just to put eyes-on. Looks good.

Daphne looks wistful but smiles a bit.

Junior sees the jeep annd waves

Frank doesn't seem to react, but wonders if/how the children might recognize him...?
((Or did player forget something??))

Nope. Just a friendly happy kid

Or perhaps he has a gift... but you can't ken from a vehicle

Frank can't, at least. He gives a small wave, just a tip of his hand, and drives along a little ways. No need to show undue interest.

Indeed. He 'patrols' by road casually

He pulls over when safe, and carefully dials his tiny phone to speak with Jonas or Anne Marie.

He gets Jonas "Hello? Mrs. Lee can't make it to the phone right now"

"Everything ok there?"

"Mm. Wondering what the status is on the Croix family. I just drove by, saw the improvements. Did the father get a job?"

"Got him working with construction temporily. We'll see how itt works out"

"Mm. Do you know if he's working right now?"

"Yes. Sir. Romana is babysittin his kids"

"Ramona's there? Can you ask her to call me?"

"I could just give you her Cell"

"Mm. If she would not mind."

The # is given

Frank thanks Jonas, and calls Ramona.

"Ramona, hello. Mr. King." he rumbles "I understand you're babsitting? How is everything going?"

Roma answers "They're in the fine, out in the yard. Daphne seems to distrust happinness but she's trying"

"Mm. I'd like to hear more about Daphne and how she's doing, perhaps when you have time."

"House looks good there?"

"Yes sir. And really good. There was a draft , now it's gone."

"Not as cold there, now, then?" he tries for a slightly coded message.

"Not nearly as cold. Sir. I feel fine. And they're..warmer"

"-Too- warm?" concern.

"Sir???"

"I mean... are they too warm? Dangerously so?"

"What would be dangerously so?" She seems to find that idea odd

"I would be concerned if they were drifting off into a Dream state, say." Frank says with some slight emphisis.

"Ah. Oh no, no. Quitte far from THAT"

"Let's talk, when you can. Can you meet me at the Ranger station?"

"I 'm babysitting for annother 3 hours"

"Need a ride after?"

"I guess to the ranger station I would"

"I'll give you a ride home, too, after. If you like."

"Th.. thank you, sir"

a beat "Have I done somethin wrong?"

"No, Ramona, no. I just want to talk about the family there. Safely."

"Oh" relief "They seem fine sir, but I'll tell you what I know when we met"

"Perfect. I'll be out front in the Ranger's jeep in three hours."

"Yes sir. Forgive me. I need to feed the kids"

"Of course. See you later." And Frank will find somewhere to kill three hours or so.

3 hours later, He pulls up about a block from the house and Romana is there in a winter coat

He gets out and opens the jeep door for her; the covers are on, and the jeep is warm inside.