CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

Two weeks later Joe relayed to Mike the latest message from Nek after his regular delivery.

Joe said, “I thought he was depressed. He said he wasn’t sure why he was still bringing stuff.”

“How long do we have?” Mike asked.

“Nek said the home fleet was a week behind him, and this time Bex wants you and me dead. He wondered why you weren’t there to meet him as usual.”

“What did you say?”

“That you were digging high in the mountains.”

Each night Joe and Mike talked. That night Joe stood on the plain and watched the storms in the mountains. They exchanged “I love yous” as they did at the end of every communication.