Dakota found himself looking for excuses to leave, even when he didn’t have a mission. He would make a run for coffee or groceries, or say he needed a walk and just disappear for a couple hours. Whatever the reason, the task always took longer than one would expect, but if anyone noticed, they didn’t say anything about it. Perhaps they understood that he was still mourning, even months after Gage died. Or they just didn’t care. Regardless, everyone left him alone.
He was out on one such errand when it happened. A pharmacy run for Hua Tou. Eight prescriptions filled for a false identity so that the house doctor could replenish his supply. Normally, Adelaide’s personal assistant would do that, but Dakota volunteered. He would pick up some vitamins for Ken, monthly provisions for the women o
