Chapter Twenty
The next morning, Bishophad a bleary-eyed Winter up, fed, and out to meet the others by 8:50 AM.She sat on the tailgate of Wrench’s pickup, swinging her legs as she sipped from the large paper cup filled with whatever coffee and sugar concoction she’d ordered.She’d already growled at him.He’d decided to let her finish her coffee before he tried again.
They weren’t the only ones here.All the officers, as well as Wrench and a few others, were there.He’d gotten out early to make sure there was plenty of time to get her bag stashed in the truck before the others got there.Sure, she could have worn the backpack, but why when she didn’t have to?The others had a few minutes left, and Bishop wasn’t looking forward to how pissed Bulldog would be if they had to go hunting anyone.
Bulldog motioned to him.Bishop kept an eye on Winter as he went to see what his president needed.
“I got a call this morning,” Bulldog said when Bishop stepped close and they could speak quietly enough that Winter wouldn’t hear them.
Bishop didn’t say anything but waited for Bulldog to continue.
“Your problem is solved.Well, mostly.Someone was snooping around the compound last night.Billy and Frank investigated, found it was the problem we’ve been working on, and took care of things.He’s waiting for you when we get back.”
“Good.And even better that we were out of town when he disappeared.”He glanced at the president.“They took care of his vehicle and electronics, right?”
“They did.All electronics are in his car, parked in the long-term economy lot at the airport.He’s been stripped and his clothes burned, just in case.Once we get home, you can do what you need to.”
Bishop nodded, he wanted to ask if they could cut the trip short, but knew better.The longer they were out of town, the better.Especially if it looked like they weren’t in a hurry, but had all the time in the world to make their ride.And they did.The fuckwad would be waiting when they got back to town.And the waiting would only make teaching the little shithead some manners more fun.Not that he would need them where he was going.
Instead, he thanked the president, then made his way back to check on Winter.She looked a little more awake but from the way the others still kept their distance, he suspected she wasn’t ready to see people yet.That was okay.They had almost an hour on the road for her to finish waking up and be ready to deal with the world.He hoped it was enough time.
Chapter Twenty-One
Winter giggled as thesmall burro ate the hay pellets from the palm of her hand.She couldn’t believe how tame the animals were.They hadn’t even been fazed by twenty motorcycles roaring into town and they’d ended up having to wait almost fifteen minutes for them to move out of the road so they could park their bikes.
Since then, she and Bishop had wandered all over town, looking at the old place, picking up a couple of t-shirts, seeing what seemed to be the town tortoises, and checking out what looked to her much like a version ofTombstone, without the shootouts, press, and movies made about the town.She liked it.It was nice and quiet, and while she wouldn’t like to live like this, a few hours without cell service were nice.
