“Ah, right. I suppose this would be a surprise to you. Yes. For a while now.”

Ed, smirks and adds, “Dad also basically funded the PHE from the start to get it going too.”

That… clears a few things up actually… He  never did tell us how he was able to get clearance and funding during... Mom’s time.

“So that’s why he  said we had an anonymous investor who helped establish the PHE back in the day… Never could get him to tell me who. I'd have investigated but I trusted it was someone trustworthy.

Guess I was right?”

I give Ed a nudge, and he grins as I do so.

“Oh yeah, dads a regular stand up guy”

Adam covers his mouth trying to stifle a laugh. All Isamu can do is shake his head.

I’m actually starting to feel a little bad for him now, haha.

“And this is why I tried to keep this quiet… Anyway, I’ll see what's going on later and let you know what I find out, is that alright?”

“Haha, sorry Isamu. And yes that’d be great. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem.

Pausing for a moment, I pose a question, “Can I ask you something actually, Isamu?”

"Certainly, what’s the matter?"

"I appreciate what you’ve done for me, and I'd like to repay you for helping me out of that crap from earlier. I guess what I’m trying to say is, Isamu, can I help out? I’m pretty good in a fight, and well, this is kinda personal at this point, I think you'll agree."

I can see Isamu slightly sweat and become uneasy as I ask this… I know what that body language means.

He wants to say no, doesn’t he?

But… why?

"You don't need to feel indebted to us Isabelle."

Yup. Knew it.

Ed obviously and quite frankly, clumsily, tries to help his father out by adding. “It’s uh, OK Isabelle, don’t worry yourself over this. We’ll take care of it.” He’s not usually like this… What are they hiding all of a sudden?

Isamu adds, "Right. Please, let us handle this. Don’t burden yourself."

Yes, well I’m stubborn so…

"I don't mind. My last job couldn't have been any worse than this… trust me. Besides, I want some pay back on the person who did this to me."

Isamu, scratching his head in frustration, continues,  "I’m not sure that it’s a good idea Isabelle... Are you sure?"

"Yes, very." I reply, confidently.

"... I'm not going to win here, am I?" resigning himself to the situation, Isamu shrugs his shoulders in defeat.

"I don't think you are dad!"

Adam snickers to his father.

"...Alright."

"Thank you Isamu, really."

"Don't mention it."

Isamu stands up and holds out his hand. I do the same,  shaking his hand.

He smiles, nodding, "So how would you like to arrange this? You can commute if you’d like but where we are currently is about a 45 minute or more drive from the city. You’re welcome to stay here for now if you would like. We have enough space.”

"Oh, OK. Thanks. Will probably be a lot easier to stay in contact that way… and considering the circumstances it might be for the best… I’ll need to talk to my sister about this too, so I'll get back to you on that."

"Alright If you would like to follow me, I can show you to a vacant room. You’re still recovering so rest might be best.”

He has a point, I still feel like shit.

“I think I’ll take you up on that.”

Isamu and I begin to leave the room.

“Boys?"

Adam and Ed look back at us from their seats and reply.

"Yeah dad?"

"It's your turn to cook."

Ed raises his eyebrow and interjects.

"What’re you talking about?  It's your turn today."

Isamu grins.

"But Isabelle has just joined us so the Rota has reset as of.... 2 minutes ago."

"DAD!"

They both exclaim at the same time.

"Seriously?!"

Isamu adjusts his glasses, a quite devious grin creeping onto his face.

Heh. He's good at keeping them in line I see.

"Such is life. Get to it."

I damn near bowl myself over with laughter at the look on Ed's face as Isamu says this. Isamu, leaves the room and whilst trying to restrain my laughter, I follow.

"Nice."

Isamu winks at me.

"They're good sons. It is a shame they rarely act their age…"

"I bet. Oh right, you don’t mind if I make a phone call while we walk do you? I need to call my sister.”

"Oh, yes, don't mind me. Just be sure to let her know that..”

"...She keeps this a secret? Don't worry, we have experience in that."

Isamu pauses for a moment.

“The offer extends to her if she wants, by the way.”

I was not expecting that. Given how much he didn’t want to do this, he’s being awfully accommodating all of a sudden.

Wait… does he… “know”?

…Something for later I suppose.

“Oh really? Thanks, I'll ask her then.”

I smile and reach for my phone and realise it isn't there. Where is it? I think back on what’s happened.

And then the penny drops,"Ah, right."

"Yes, It was destroyed I’m afraid. It’s in the lab for now."

"Right... Adam, heh."

"Here, use mine. I have a spare unopened one in the lab so I will have it with you by the morning. I can salvage the data and have it transferred over by the time you receive it.

Model ST right?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Simple enough. As for your sister, you can tell her to save my number too, just in case."

This guy just keeps surprising me.

"You’re sure?"

"Any child of Jason’s is fine in my book. I don't see why not."

I pause a moment, then realize. Yeah, this all makes sense now.

“So, you know about that?”

“Yes. “ 

He then puts his finger over his lips and smiles at me. 

Yeah, I think he’s OK.

"Thanks, Isamu."