Banjo stood in Danny’s lap, his head out the window.
The sun was on its westward slide, but there were still a few hours of daylight left.
Danny and Tyrell had dropped Ann off at her apartment and were now easing down a potholed street in an old section of Bend, looking for Spike’s house. They had to swerve a time or two to avoid loose dogs, a lazy cat, and a tricycle abandoned in the middle of the road.
Danny had talked Meg into letting him give his plan a try. Now that the law was involved, she’d have to give Banjo up. So what was there to lose?
Tyrell lifted his chin. “There.”
Spike’s house looked completely out of place. It was freshly painted. The grass was green and cut in neat rows. Flowers lined the walkway to the front door.
Danny put his hat on and got out. He took Banjo’s leash and hooked it to his collar. Banjo jumped out and headed for the grass. Danny let him sniff and inspect and pee.
They headed up the path.
“Sure hope this works,” Tyrell said.
“It’s got to.”
Tyrell rang the doorbell and stepped back.
A woman opened the door. A smile grew on her face. “Well, well, it’s the famous Tyrell.”
“Hi, Janey.”
“And who’s this handsome young man?”
“My brother, Danny, only don’t call him handsome. His head is too big as it is.”
Danny shoved Tyrell.
“And he’s violent.”
Janey reached out and shook Danny’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Danny.”
Danny smiled. “Is Spike home?”
“He sure is. Come on in.”
Danny looked down at Banjo. “I’ll stay outside with him.”
Janey crouched down and took Banjo’s face in her hands. “And who are you?” She scratched behind his ears. Banjo kissed her with his wet nose.
“My dog, Banjo.”
Janey looked up and smiled. “I don’t mind a dog in the house. Come on in. I’ll get Spike.”
They waited just inside the door.
Danny thought Spike would probably have a Harley parked in his living room, with parts spread out on a mat. And the whole house would smell like oil and gas.
But the house was bright and clean and smelled like roses.
Tyrell leaned close to Danny’s ear. “She probably makes Spike soak his fingernails in bleach every night after work.”
Danny smiled.
“Heyyy, my men,” Spike said, drying his hands with a paper towel. “To what do I owe this dubious honor?”
Danny cocked his head. “What?”
Spike grinned. “Thought I was just an ex-thief and a grease monkey, huh?”
“No, I—”
“Well I am. What’s this?” He squatted down to scratch Banjo’s chin. “Where’s the fleabite you brought in the other day? What’s the name? Ruby?”
“Yeah, Ruby.”
“And this is?”
“Banjo,” Danny said, looking down at his dog.
“This is Banjo? I thought you said…”
“It’s a long story.”
“I’ve got time.”
“Spike, please, can you take Banjo to California with you? You’ve got to, Spike. I know Tyrell said you wouldn’t, but this isn’t a joke. I’m telling you, if I don’t get him out of this state, he’ll be taken away, maybe even killed.”
As Danny told the story, Spike looked from Danny to Tyrell to Banjo.
“He’s been through a lot, Spike, and none of it was his fault….He…he barely trusts me anymore, and now gunshots scare him, when they didn’t used to.”
“Why me, Danny?”
“Well…first of all, I trust you. Second, you like dogs. Third, you’re going far away, and Banjo can’t stay anywhere near here. And fourth…well, you do always talk about how you miss Grouch.”
Spike nodded. “Grouch.”
He squatted and called Banjo close. “And what do you have to say about this?”
Banjo licked Spike’s face.
“Janey,” Spike called. “Come here a sec.”
She came back holding a roll of packing tape.
“Danny is in dire need of saving this dog’s life by finding him a home. He’s been accused of chasing the neighbor’s sheep, and around here they shoot dogs that—”
“Yes,” she said.
“What?”
“It’s time, Spike. Yes, we’ll take him. I heard it all.”
Banjo sat panting.
Janey knelt down next to Spike and reached out to Banjo.
Banjo’s tail thumped on the floor. He scooted closer and licked Janey’s hand, then her face. Though a lump burned in Danny’s throat at the thought of giving Banjo away, he could see that Banjo liked both of them, and he couldn’t think of anyone better than Spike and Janey to protect him.
“Grouch would be okay with this,” Janey said.
A crooked grin grew on Spike’s face. He looked up at Danny and Tyrell. “Ain’t she the best? Don’t you fret one more minute, my friends. This dog is now in safe hands.”
“Yes!” Danny said. “Yes, yes, yes! Thank you!”
Spike stood, and Danny nearly shook his hand right off his arm.
Janey hugged him.
“One more thing, Spike,” Danny said. He looked out the window. The sun was low, but there was still a good amount of daylight left. “Can you take a ride with us? Unless you have other plans.”
“Where to?”
“Yeah,” Tyrell said. “Where?”
Danny had thought about this ever since they’d left Meg’s place. If Spike said yes, he’d do it. “To see Mr. Brodie…the guy who wants Banjo shot.”
Tyrell looked at Danny as if he was crazy. “What for?”
“I’ve…I’ve got to get my dignity back, Tyrell.”
Spike grinned. “Your wheels or mine, partner?”