“You think I should bring some diabetic supplies?” John asked.
“I got Metformin in my kit, but I’m not going to bring insulin, if that’s what you’re asking. However, we should bring some test strips just in case. God knows what some of those girls have been eating. We could encounter all sorts of diseases. But I’m thinking Penicillin and Metformin, those should do it. Doses of vitamin C, if we need to. I think we’re good,” Brady added.
Riley had covered the dining room table with paperwork. He explained the corporate setup that had been created, he had pictures of several wealthy donors, and he told the group he suspected most of these people were simply duped into making donations but were not part of Esquivel’s operation.
“I did discover there’s going to be a charity ball on Saturday. It’s a regular black-tie event at the country club. I say we designate Carter here as our billionaire bachelor looking for love.”
Everybody turned, looking at Carter, who grinned. “That’s probably not too far from the truth, but what’s the point?” he asked.
“Carter, we think you’d be the right person to sort of get chummy with Rojas. Let them know you’ve got some money to spend. Maybe we can create a story for you? You’ve got a couple of kids and your wife took off. You need help with the housework, and you’d like to pick up a pretty young girl, perhaps adopt her if that’s what he’s willing to do, and explain that you’d be willing to pay handsomely for her. It just might snag him,” Riley said.
“I shudder to think that could actually happen,” answered Brady with a jerk to his spine.
“I think it turns all of our stomachs,” said Carter. “But if you think it’ll work, I’m game. So that means I take my car, right? I sure as hell don’t want to show up in the camper van you guys found or Enemario’s green monster. That just wouldn’t go.”
Everyone on the team agreed.
“You get to wear a tux. Maybe we could convince you to make a little donation to his charity, get his attention?” Brady asked.
“Okay. It’s all settled.”
Tate entered the room and sat next to Brady. It was his way of telling his master that he needed to go outside, so Brady let the dog out. Tate went hard charging into the bushes, barking. Brady stayed outside to watch him, leaning against one of the railings on the front porch. The stars were bright in the sky, crickets were chirping, and he knew he didn’t want to lose this place or not be able to come back to it. He allowed himself the luxury of imagining growing old, he and Tate together. With the money they hoped to raise, he’d stop his grows, just live off the land, and relax into old age. That is, if the world would leave him alone.
But one problem concerned Brady this evening. He was going to have to leave Tate behind. It wouldn’t be fair to the dog to send him on their trip to Fresno, and it would be dangerous. But Tate was not the easiest to control. He obeyed Brady, but he wasn’t sure the dog would mind anyone else.
The door behind him opened, and Riley stepped out onto the porch next to him.
“How are you doing, Chief?”
“I was just thinking about Tate. You sure Cassie, the kids will be okay with him?”
“I think they’ll do just fine with him. You don’t expect we’ll be gone longer than a week, though, do you?”
“Well, if it’s longer than a week, we’ll have to come back. We just get the guy, we plan for the handoff, and we’re done. I’m hoping it’s that simple,” said Brady.
“I’ll give Cassie a call and make sure she’s still okay with it. But I’m sure she will be. The kids would be thrilled.”
“Remind her he might go after your cats. And then there’s the rooster. I’m just warning you.”
“Cassie will take care of it, and the only thing I worry about is the kids seeing it. But we won’t kill your dog just because he kills my fucking rooster. Come on, Brady, you know me better than that.”
Brady chuckled. “You’re right there. I guess I have a hard time saying goodbye.”
As if on cue, Tate appeared at the bottom of the stairs coming to seated position in full attention. He looked up at his master almost as if he understood he was being left behind.
“Come here, Tate,” Brady instructed. The dog obeyed. Brady sat on a chair and held his snout with both his hands. “We’re going to be leaving you with some good friends of mine, Tate, and I want you to behave yourself, okay?”
Tate angled his head to the side, as if trying to listen, to comprehend.
“Damn but that dog is smart. I just get the feeling he knows what you’re saying,” whispered Riley. “You know, Brady, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to settle down. I think Tate would like it. It isn’t natural to just be alone your whole life.”
“I’m not alone. I have Tate. And that’s the only kind of tethering I want. I don’t understand women, I’m not interested in their drama, and to be honest with you, I hate kids.”
“Well, you’re one mixed up warrior, Brady. But I respect your wishes. You got to want to be tethered, and that’s when it’ll happen. I just decided the love of a good woman was something I could handle, was something that would be good for me, not a complication. So why… Well, when I met Cassie, everything fit into place. It was the easiest, most beautiful thing I’ve ever done. And I’d be lying if I told you it was fun all the time, but Brady, if I could wish anything for you, I’d wish that.”
“No, I only want my best friend, Tate, here. This whole valley, this whole hillside could go up in smoke. I could lose my house, my grow, my vegetable garden, all my equipment, my cars, my trucks, everything, but I don’t want to lose Tate. That would hurt. And that’s about the most I can do, Riley.”
“Well, I’m going to pray for you, Brady. I’m going to hope you have a future where you have a partner in life. Because it’s natural, and you’d be a good husband. And a terrific father.”
Brady looked at the stars, shook his head, and said, “Riley, you’re a fucking liar. But go ahead and dream, if it’ll make you feel better. Don’t dream on my account, though. I’m all taken care of. If I can settle the score with Rojas, I’m going to be a very contented man. And jumping into the fray with all of you guys, well, that’s just a Boy Scout thing. That’s like extra gravy. That’s like whipped cream and cherry on top of the double scoop ice cream cone, you know?”
Chapter 8
On their way out of town, they dropped Tate off in Lake County, which was one of the hardest things Brady had ever done. The dog sat in the middle of Riley’s driveway, stoically waiting for Brady to change his mind and ask him to come join them. But that didn’t happen, and Brady turned his back, mounted the passenger seat in Enemario’s monster truck, and tried not to look in the side mirror as they pulled away. At the last minute, he chanced a quick glance, and the dog was still there.
“He’s going to be fine,” said Enemario. “It’ll be good for him. Riley’s lady will just spoil that pup. She’s a smart little fox, and she’ll keep him out of trouble.”