part0067

“ Y ou know, if I switch with Ruger when all of this goes down, we might have an issue,” Abraham said.

Smoke had stitched a small tracking device—like a tiny fuse—underneath the skin of his forearm. “At least we can keep track of you this way. You and Ruger, that is.” He bit off the string. “Perfect. They’ll never suspect a thing.”

Abraham was inside Luther’s office. It was the same place where he’d interviewed not so long before for a job as a trucker. Luther was looking out his window at the truck lot, his hands behind his back.

“Luther, I really hate to see you getting involved in this,” Abraham said. “There might be another way.”

“Don’t think anything about it. I’m only making a phone call,” Luther said in a reassuring voice. “How dangerous can that be? Besides, it’s been a long time since I’ve done anything meaningful. I want to help.”

“To a lot of people, making beer is pretty meaningful,” Abraham said while he rubbed his stitched-up forearm.

“True, but you know that’s not the kind of meaningful that I mean. Anybody can tap a keg and serve beer.” Luther turned around and sat behind his desk. Abraham and Smoke sat in the chairs across from him. “Should I make the call now?” Luther smiled nervously. “I have to admit my fingers are itching like the first time I unhooked a bra.”

“Just hold on,” Abraham said.

“You know, I knew this was big trouble when those three men showed up,” Luther said as he leaned back in his leather office chair. “Colonel Drew Dexter, Eugene Drisk, and Dr. Jack Lassiter. I won’t forget them. They were the pushy kind. I never like a pushy kind, unless you’re selling me something. I can respect that. But they were threatening me without saying it.”

“A pretty good sign that they are the bad guys.” Smoke grabbed a can of Coke off the corner of Luther’s desk and drank.

Luther made a sour face and said, “I’m surprised that a fit fella like yourself drinks that. That crap will kill you.”

“Every man has his poison,” Smoke said.

Mandi and Sid entered the office and closed the door behind them. Like Smoke, they were wearing bulletproof sweetheart suits that looked like skintight scuba suits. The two women were drinking bottles of original green Gatorade.

“We are all packed,” Sid said.

Abraham gave Mandi a sheepish look. She sat down on the arm of his chair and rubbed his back. “You really need to get that worried look off of your face. We are all going to be fine.”

“Somehow, I get the feeling that is the suit talking,” he said. “Mandi, you can’t be a part of this. It’s too dangerous.” He glanced at the others. “None of you need to do this. Ruger and I will have to figure it out on our own.”

“There won’t be any turning back now,” Smoke said as he grabbed Sid’s hand. “That’s not our style. Besides, I really want a peek at Titanuus.”

Sid tugged the back of Smoke’s hair. “You need to avoid any more thoughts of your crazy vacation ideas. As for Mandi, don’t worry about her. She’s going to be in a very safe place.”

“I’d feel better if she wasn’t wearing the suit and was on a plane to Texas,” Abraham said.

“Sorry, honey, but I don’t do long-distance relationships.” Mandi took a long drink. “Man, this stuff really makes a difference.”

“We added some more electrolytes to the formula.” Sid looked at the phone. “I guess it’s time to make the call.”

An awkward moment of silence passed.

Luther jumped in his seat and leaned forward. “Oh, I guess that’s my cue.” He picked up Drew Dexter’s business card and dialed. He cupped his hand over the phone receiver. “No one picked up. I’m getting a recorded message.”

“So leave him one, short and sweet,” Sid said calmly.

Luther’s forehead beaded with sweat. “Uh, hello, this is Luther Vancross. You stopped by my place a few days ago. Um, I have some information. He’s here. Acting kinda crazy. Oops, got to go.” He hung up quickly and smiled. “How’d I do?”

“Fabulous.” Smoke stood up. “Now, that’s our cue to go.”

Abraham shook hands with Smoke and Sid. “Good luck.”

The husband-and-wife team nodded, shook hands with Luther, and left.

“Uh, Luther, can Mandi and I have a moment?”

“Sure, sure.” Luther hustled from behind his desk and out the office door.

Abraham sat down and pulled Mandi into his lap. He touched foreheads with her. “I really wish I understood why you were doing this for me. But I guess I’ll never understand.” He looked into her eyes. “I’m honored, Mandi. I don’t know how I can—”

Mandi put two fingers on his lips and said, “Don’t think so much, just do.”

He kissed her fingers, moved them aside, and kissed her fully on the lips. He reeled her body in closer as her fingers grabbed a handful of his hair. Her heart beat against his. Their lips locked in a more passionate kiss.

Someone knocked on the office door’s frame. “What is this, a Big Red commercial? I’ve been standing out here ten minutes already.”

They broke off the kiss.

Outside, someone was honking a car horn.

Mandi crawled out of his lap with her chest heaving. “Boy, this suit really does something for the libido. No wonder Sid has such a happy marriage.” She caressed his face and kissed his cheek. “It’s going to work out. Have faith. Believe in yourself. I do.” Mandi gave Luther a hug and left.

From the office window, Abraham and Luther together watched the black Jeep Cherokee drive away.