Chapter 19
Ki opened his eyes and caught Jessie watching him from across the compartment. “That is a most peculiar look,” he said. “It must have some significance.”
“Oh, it does.” Jessie swept back her hair and grinned. “I was just thinking that’s a real fine Stetson. Looks good on you.”
“Yes. It is a nice gift, and I appreciate it greatly.” Ki cleared his throat and looked at the ceiling. “In time, perhaps it will become more—comfortable.”
Jessie made a face. “Ki, you are an ungrateful you-know-what.”
“This is true.”
“What you really mean is, in a few years it’ll get dirty, greasy, crusted with dust, and you won’t be able to tell what color it is.”
Ki smiled. “Ah, now there is a hopeful picture. Thank you.”
Jessie laughed and shook her head. She looked out at the country rolling by, then turned to him again, puzzlement crossing her features. “I never did figure that out, you know?”
“Figure what out?”
“How Gaiter shot point-blank at that wolf and missed.”
Ki stared. “For God’s sake, Jessie!”
“No, really. He hit the animal, I know that. What Torgler had to do was get him a little drunk, I guess. Switch the first three bullets for blanks and leave the others in.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully with the tip of her finger. “That’s got to be it. He knew how fast those creatures were. And he knew Gaiter couldn’t possibly get off more than a couple of shots ...”
“Very reasonable and logical,” said Ki.
Jessie looked up at his tone. “Well, that’s what happened. Do you have any better ideas?”
“The answer is much easier than that, Jessie.”
“It is?”
“Yes, surely.” He looked at her with a perfectly straight face. “Five of the wolves were ordinary animals. The sixth, the one that killed Gaiter, really was a werewolf.” Ki shrugged. “Simple, isn’t it?”
Jessie looked at him and groaned. “That’s very funny, I’m sure. Let’s make a rule, all right? Wolf jokes are out. I don’t think I’ll ever even like dogs again.”
Jessie went back to her book, and Ki closed his eyes. In the morning they’d be back in Sarah, Texas, the town Alex Starbuck had named for his wife. And soon after that they’d be at the ranch. And then...
It was over for the moment. They had stopped the cartel again, cut off one of its stingers. But he knew, like Jessie, that it was never really over.
The faceless men would know who’d beaten them in Roster. They’d come to town when they heard that Torgler had failed, put the pieces together, and learn what had happened. Eventually someone would ride out to the settlement and look for answers there. They’d see it then, the message Jessie had left—a challenge that said Alex Star buck was still very much alive in his daughter.
Feodor had pulled down all the posts that circled the village, torn off the wilted wreaths of wolfsbane, and tossed them aside. All but one. Now, instead of pale blossoms, the single post displayed the skin of a wolf, held there by one of Ki’s star-shaped shuriken driven solidly into the wood. The cartel knew Jessica’s calling-card, and wouldn’t miss its meaning.
Ki gazed out the window, and saw his reflection in the glass. For a moment, another face swam over his own.
I am sorry, he said silently. Iamsorry, Lucy Jordan ...
She had come into his life for only a moment, burning as fast and fiercely as a prairie fire. And in that incredibly short time, she had reached him more than he could have imagined, glimpsed a thing that even Ki would not allow himself to see.
He glanced at Jessie, then turned quickly away. Perhaps she saw a face in the window as well. He did not let his thoughts linger on that.
It is as it must be, he told her in his mind. I will live with who you are, Jessie. And who I am, as well...
