Page 23 of Stryker

“You choose forme.”

John thought about it for a moment andwent with a classic.

“The Lark Ascendingwas inspired by a poem by George Meredith andcomposed by Ralph Vaughan Williams. I always imagine a bird flyingwhen I play it, which makes sense, I guess,” John said, his cheeksheating up. Why was he acting like he’d never played in front ofsomeone before?

He shook out his arms and picked uphis violin. He loved playing. It had been one of his mother’shobbies and left an indelible mark on John. As he ran the bow overthe strings, air filled his lungs, and soon he was lost in themelody, imagining the bird wings fluttering ever faster, higher,before soaring free and diving low among the trees.

This happened to him every time heplayed. The music would take him on a journey of emotions that fedthrough him and out his violin. As the notes floated in the air, hefelt electrified and more full of life than at any other time. Thiswas his solace, his reprieve from a world that could be cold andlonely.

John remembered his mother’s joy whenshe played and his father’s captivated stare that took them intotheir own private world. They’d had a language of their own, andJohn would never forget the look on his father’s face as he’d closehis eyes, letting his mother’s music flow over him, and was atpeace. That was love. A great love.

As the melody wound down, John openedhis eyes and was struck by the man sitting before him with his eyesclosed and that same familiar look on his face. Peace.

Perhaps this was the way to the man’sfriendship—perhaps even his heart. Because John was beginning tothink more about Stryker in a way that wasn’t exactly onlyfriendship.

CHAPTER NINE

Stryker

Stryker frowned when he noticed thesame car from the road outside had driven around the block threetimes before they entered the warehouse. He kept an eye on it butwhen it got to a fourth time, he needed to do something.

“I have to make a fewphone calls,” Stryker said. “I’ll catch up with you in abit.”

“I’m going to go finishthose table legs I started yesterday.” John turned on the lights inthe work area.

“Okay. I’ll be back in awhile.” As soon as he was out of earshot, Stryker got on the phoneto Brick.

“Brick here.” The deepvoice of his commander always lifted Stryker’s spirits.

“We were followed thismorning. A dark blue, four-door sedan, single occupant, parkedoutside Joe’s Convenience,” Stryker said before rattling off thelicense plate number.

“On it.”

Jason walked in as he was hanging upthe call. “Morning, Stryker.”

“Morning. We may have asituation,” he said before filling Jason in on the events of thatmorning. “John doesn’t know, and I’d prefer to keep it that wayuntil we confirm who it is.”

“Got it. I’ll go check inwith him, see what’s on the plan for today in the shop.”

When Stryker was alone again, hewalked over to the front window and casually glanced up and downthe street. Sure enough, the sedan was still parked down thestreet. A few minutes later, the sheriff’s truck went by, followedby Brick’s. One stopped in front and the other behind the sedan,boxing it in so whoever it was couldn’t drive away.

Elias, Brick, Fletcher, Gator, andGunner soon surrounded the vehicle, and the sheriff pulled the loneoccupant from the driver’s seat. They’d have their answers soonenough. He couldn’t help but feel relieved, and as he turnedaround, he almost ran headlong into John.

“Shit, what are you doingsneaking around? Where’s Jason?”

“He’s on the phone,” Johnanswered before looking out the window. “So, they got the car thatwas circling this morning?”

“You knew?” Stryker asked,trying to hide his shock.

“I’m not oblivious, orstupid,” John said acerbically, eyebrows raised. “Why didn’t yousay anything to me?”

“I didn’t want to worryyou.”

“This isn’t going to workif you aren’t straight with me,” John grated. “Like I told you, Idon’t need anyone protecting me from stuff.”

Stryker didn’t miss the anger in hisvoice.

“You’re right, I’m sorry.I won’t make that mistake again.” Hell, the man had a temper. Good.Stryker liked a man who would challenge him.

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