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“Isn’t it just? I’ve been coming here since I was a baby. Pa used to come up here with me in his arms and sit for hours. He used to only see the stars back then, but one year we had a terrible storm and we didn’t get to come for a while. When we did, he told me that two trees on that side of the clearing had fallen, and that was when he first saw that view. After that, he would bring an axe when we came and take down a tree or two until he created what he called the frame for that picture that you see now.”

Salem looks at Mateo, and I see her eyes widen in surprise. Shock even. Looking, I don’t see what she must see. I see nothing untoward or out of the ordinary to cause that look.

“I think I may have misjudged you, Mateo, or at least underestimated you.”

Mateo looks at her in surprise. “I don’t think I’ve done anything that gives you cause to judge me. As for underestimating me, I don’t see that I’ve done anything to cause that either.”

“I don’t mean it as a criticism, quite the opposite. Spectre is a one-woman dog, at least until now. No one other than me has ever touched him. He wouldn’t allow it.”

Taking a second look, I see Mateo is scratching Spectre’s shoulder as the dog leans into him, for all intents and purposes he looks asleep. Sensing that he was being watched he opens his eyes to look at us. The look he gives us seems to just say, ‘And? What’s your problem?’ The moment is broken by the sound of splashing coming from behind the treeline further over.

“Damn that damn dog.” Salem jumps from her rock and walks to where the splashing is coming from. Spectre first, and then Mateo go with her. Not to be left out, I follow.

Walking into the now dark woods, I see a wooden structure that is clearly where the noise is coming from. Closer inspection shows it to be a large, homemade hot tub that could easily hold four adults. Splashing in the middle of it is Bruno. There is just enough light to see that he is having the time of his life and doesn’t give a hoot about any of the curses that Salem is throwing at him. It takes several minutes and a very wet and angry Salem to get Bruno out of the tub.

“You need a lid on that thing,” Mateo observes.

“Really? You think so? Maybe when this is all over you could come, pet my dog some more and build the fucker for me!” With that, she storms off, and I have to wonder if we’ll ever be invited to her special place again.

“Dumbass,” is all I can manage for Mateo before we’re back in the bunker.

*~* Fury *~*

My fucking father of all people. I would never have made that connection. Why would I? An old guy in a junker could describe how many thousands of drivers and vehicles are out there, just like the one I thought was tailing Jamie that time. The guy I thought looked familiar. The guy who was probably my father. Oh, hell. It was him. How would I have known that at the time? I thought he was dead, not up in some hills or mountains somewhere plotting my demise.

Sitting alongside Breaker in a club SUV, we’re heading out to collect Jamie’s truck from Smoker. It cost me another arm and a leg to get the windshield replaced, but there’s no point in having an armored truck and an ordinary windshield. It was that which saved her, not the steel armor.

“I’m talking to you, asshole,” Breaker's voice interrupts my thoughts.

“Sorry, what? Did you say something?”

“Were you like this all the time, or am I just noticing it? Pay attention, numbnuts. How do we get Pattie in a position to bring out your father so he thinks he’s got another shot at killing Jamie?”

“I don’t know, that’s why Pres asked everybody to throw ideas into the pot and see what we can come up with. My father probably thinks we have her under wraps at the clubhouse. He shouldn’t know anything about where Ghost has her. Hell, none of us know where Ghost has her, not even his son.”

“Well, we’re going to have to come up with something soon. The Doc isn’t going to sit on her butt forever, no matter what you say, Pres says, or the risks involved.”

“I know,” I say as we pull into the mechanic's shop.

Breaker doesn’t hang around. As soon as my feet hit the ground and the door shuts, he’s away, squealing the SUV’s tires as he goes.

Walking into the shop, I see Smoker working on an old junker. Thank God it’s not the one I saw my father in.

“That’s not something I ever thought I’d see. A bit far gone for your normal clientele, isn’t it?” I grin as Smoker bangs his head on the hood as he shoots upright.

“Ow, fuck me, that hurt. If I’ve dented that hood, you’re paying for the repairs. This thing is a ratrod, not a junker. It cost more to build than Jamie’s truck, believe it or not.” Rubbing his head, I smirk as he has an oily rag in his hand. “Fuck me. Now I’m covered in freakin’ oil. You are a nightmare to have around, Fury. You know that?”

“Of course I know it. It’s what makes me so cute and lovable.”

“The keys to Jamie’s truck are in the office. I’ve played with the engine management system a little, so take your time until you get used to her. You’ll need to let Jamie know too when she gets her back. The gun rack is in, and before you say anything, it is more for display purposes than a functional rack. Jamie wanted the hunting rifle and its case displayed so that’s what I’ve done. The shotgun has its own place by the center console now. I figured that if she was having it in the truck, it needed to be easily accessible. Pres picked up the tab for all the work and parts, so you’re good to go.”

“Thanks for everything, Smoker. I don’t care what anyone says. You’re a good brother.” I duck just in time for the oily rag to sail over my head.

Sitting in Jamie’s truck, I have to say that it is something special. Starting her up, she doesn’t purr, she roars. Rolling out of the parking lot, I give her a minute or two to get warmed up and then tweak the gas pedal. Oh boy, does she lift her skirts and run. Dropping back to the speed limit, I settle back and wonder if I should take the long way back to the practice house.

Glancing in the mirror, I see a vehicle pull out of the side road I’ve just passed. It doesn’t catch up like you’d expect and stays well back. Very gently I speed up and once just over the speed limit I wait to see what happens. The trailing vehicle stays the same distance. Hitting the brakes, I come to a dead stop. The vehicle behind takes a moment to react, spins around in the middle of the road and then takes off fast. That thing might look like a junker, but whatever it has under the hood doesn’t sound stock. It rockets away down the road and is gone in seconds. I didn’t see the driver, but I would have to assume that was my father.

Taking the long route, I wait to see if the vehicle reappears, but I’m disappointed when there is no sign. Placing a call to Breaker, I tell him what’s happened and that I’ll be ready to be picked up in a minute or two. He says he’s stopped at the practice to see Molly, so I don’t have to worry.