Page 14 of No Bones About It

Garrett’s eyebrows shot up. “We are, are we?”

Slick nodded confidently. The man could talk anyone into just about anything, so Garrett figured he probably had a brewmaster course in his future. Didn’t sound bad at all.

Falcon leaned forward. “That one’s the Epic Phail Pale Ale.”

Garrett almost spit out his sip of beer, laughing at the name. “Seriously?”

They all laughed, and Falcon continued. “Our first batch was the Pilsner Of Oz.”

Levi rolled his eyes but laughed. “We’re all getting a beer.”

“That’s pretty awesome.”

Levi nodded. “But we’re not telling you about yours until you get your hands dirty in the business.”

Of course not. Laughing, he sipped again. “I’m in.”

A few hours later, the group headed out. More hugs and handshakes and smiles. He hadn’t had so much human contact in years. Certainly hadn’t smiled this much.

He’d expected the group reunion to bring on his memories of Shaggy. It had, but being with his team again had also brought on good memories. So many good memories. Of Shaggy, of the team, of the good they’d done in the world.

He hadn’t touched Animosh, hadn’t so much as looked in her direction, but he’d got used to her presence in the room. He hoped meeting the other dogs wouldn’t be as difficult now.

It was well after midnight when he headed back along Nina’s path, glad he’d left his yard lights on in the back. Kitty didn’t like complete darkness.

He’d have to get some security cameras set up. He didn’t like leaving the mare alone for so long. With a camera, he could check on her to see how she was coping.

The night was overcast, but enough stars peeked out to help him see without turning on the flashlight app on his phone. Once he climbed his fence, he started speaking to Kitty. The horse nickered softly and trotted over to meet him at the edge of the paddock. When he crossed into the paddock, she knocked off his hat. “Were you lonely, Kitty? Sorry about that. But I’ve got a surprise for you. We’re going to have two geldings arrive tomorrow. I don’t know much about them yet, but you’ll have some company of the four-legged variety.”

Movement on the edge of his vision made him turn. A black and white dog zipped away from the barn and into the shadows. The pitbull wasn’t using its front right leg normally. A bark from those shadows confirmed this was the dog he’d been seeing and hearing in the distance. The one that wanted to be friends.

Garrett blew out a breath. He’d survived being in the same room as Animosh for the last few hours. He could cope with this dog, but he couldn’t live with himself if the animal was hurt, and he ignored it.

With a sigh, he climbed down the paddock fence and turned to the dog. “Come here. Let’s check you out.” He eased closer and squatted down, hoping to lure it in.

A truck engine started up close by, and the dog yelped and raced away. It looked like something was wrapped around his leg.

Garrett couldn’t see much of Kimi’s property because of the trees separating them, but the lights of her truck were visible as she headed out onto the road.

He wondered what kind of call had her heading out after midnight. “Stay safe,” he whispered into the night.

Then he grabbed his bedroll and returned to the paddock. Kitty nuzzled his hat when he set up and moved closer to watch over him.

Kimi started searching for a quiet side road while she was a few miles from her destination. This was a reconnaissance mission, and she didn’t want the engine or lights to give away her presence. Sound and light traveled easily in the dark forest.

This stretch of back-road highway had to have side roads that led to hunting camps or small towns. Finally, an opening popped up on her right. She’d seen no other traffic in the latter half of her eighty-minute drive, but she backed into the road until her vehicle wouldn’t be spotted by headlights.

She pulled over close to the side so she wouldn’t block the road completely, but she hoped no one used it in the middle of the night. She didn’t need witnesses. With a deep breath, she put on her black backpack and ensured the straps were tight. She turned her phone to silent and slipped out of the truck.

She kept her hand on the handle to muffle the sound, but closingthe door still sounded like a drum in the night. Instead of heading straight out, she waited to see if the noise had disturbed anything. Or anyone.

According to her phone, her target was less than a mile away. There wasn’t much wind, but she hoped it wouldn’t pop up behind her and give away her scent.

After a few deep breaths, she memorized the path to her target and put the phone in her pocket. Even though there was no traffic on the road, Kimi walked through the trees. She didn’t know what kind of security John Mead had, but she’d bet it was top quality and extensive. She’d also bet he dealt with trespassers swiftly. Lethally.

Again, she wished she could talk to Marcus Ramirez or the Midnight Security people about options, but she could do basic reconnaissance on her own. Once she found some proof, she would consider bringing in some help.

Forests always felt friendly to Kimi, and walking through them in the night reminded her of good times with her grandmother, who had wanted her to know nature in all its forms.

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