Page 39 of Concluded (The Bureau #13)

It wasn’t a great plan, but it was what they had. And as for what happened once Dee obtained the necessary intel, well, he’d have to play it by ear. Achilles trusted him to figure something out.

* * *

That night, Achilles and Dee shared the guest bed, which was a little tight for two full-grown men, but they didn’t mind. Although their hosts were left bedless—neither of them could have stretched out on the couch—they were happy to camp outdoors.

“You won’t be too cold?” Achilles had asked.

Jerry laughed. “Not a problem.”

And then it was morning and time to go. First, Achilles and Dee stopped in to speak to Ish. “You’re safe here,” Achilles assured him. “And we’ll tell Charles where you are.”

Ish looked at him with ancient eyes. “I am grieved that I am not stronger.”

“You will be. Give yourself time.”

“For humans, time is a great gift. I have previously not needed it.” His gaze went vague and he said a few sentences in a language that Achilles didn’t recognize. Then he seemed to focus again. “Remember your weapons, hero. Hope. Love. Joy. Empathy. Generosity. Kindness. Justice.”

“Charles told me something very similar.”

Ish managed a smile. “He takes after his mother. My hope lies with you; perhaps that will help.”

Achilles, who figured an angel’s support couldn’t hurt, thanked him. As did Dee. Then there was a round of thanks and farewells to Art—including a kiss from Jerry—and they were off.

Under other circumstances, it would have been a glorious day for a hike.

The sun shone brightly, warming the air.

Spring blossoms and fresh greenery sprouted everywhere, birds twittered, squirrels chattered.

Sometimes the trail took them through thick trees and sometimes it skirted ledges with spectacular views.

The air smelled fresh, as if just breathing it could remove deeply lodged toxins.

But this wasn’t a pleasure excursion. Achilles and Dee wore sneakers that weren’t up to the task, and Achilles’ feet still hadn’t completely recovered from his barefoot desert tromp.

Jerry, he noted, wasn’t wearing any shoes at all, and the terrain didn’t seem to bother him. He also wasn’t wearing a jacket—just jeans and a plaid shirt. Maybe he had a lot of insulating hair under his clothing; Achilles didn’t ask.

After clambering up a particularly steep hill, both Dee and Achilles needed to pause to catch their breath and drink some water before moving on. “I got mauled by bears,” Achilles muttered to nobody in particular. “And tortured. And shot. My cardio routine has suffered.”

Jerry clapped him heavily on the shoulder. “It’s not an easy hike. We chose our cabin spot because of that.”

“But you and Art are getting kind of, um?—”

“Ancient? Yeah, but this kind of life is in my blood. My father’s people don’t retire to subdivisions with golf carts and food delivery, you know? Even my mother’s people—they’re human—are pretty tough.”

“Okay,” Achilles acknowledged. “But Art?”

“Good genes. Both his parents lived to almost a hundred. I’ve always kinda wondered if his mom had some yeti in her. Okay, c’mon guys. We got a ways to go yet.”

It took a total of four hours to reach town. Achilles had never been so happy to see pavement and cars. Jerry took them to a cute little bungalow near the city limits. It was atop a hill that gave it a sweeping view of the forest.

“The mansion,” Jerry joked as he let them in. “Hot running water, even! Why don’t you guys have a rest? I’ll pop over and get you some food. Can pick up a couple of cell phones for you too, if you want.”

Slightly stricken, Achilles winced. “We’re flat broke. Those fuckers got my wallet, and?—”

“Forget about it. Me and Art have a nest egg.” Jerry gestured at the interior. “Make yourselves at home.” Then the eighty-something man who’d just led them on a strenuous hike hurried back outside.

“If we survive this, I’m definitely improving my exercise regimen,” Achilles said.

Although the bungalow was bigger than the cabin, it was still modest: two bedrooms, a 1950s-vintage kitchen, and a cozy living room. Also a lot of books, stashed just about everywhere. And there was a big bathtub, large enough for a half-sasquatch, in fact.

“Do you think Jerry’d mind if I had a soak?” Achilles asked.

“I doubt it very much.”

That was enough encouragement for Achilles. Within moments he had his clothing off and the tub filling with steamy water. Dee stood fully clothed, hands on hips, apparently supervising. “How’s your shoulder?”

“Fine.”

“Your feet?”

“They’ll be okay after a soak.”

“Your other bumps and scrapes and gouges?”

Achilles had never had anyone who cared about his condition, aside from assessing whether he was healed enough to return to work. “Tolerable.”

“You could wish yourself healed.”

“It’s not worth wasting your juice on. It’ll happen naturally soon enough.” Achilles glanced down at his midsection. “Unless the scars gross you out?”

Dee stepped closer and trailed a finger along some of the larger ones, making Achilles shiver. “They don’t.”

“Good.”

“But I don’t want you to get any more, if we can help it.”

Achilles took Dee’s hand and kissed the knuckles. “Agreed.”

The bath was lovely. Achilles dozed off, in fact, and by the time he roused himself, the water had cooled, Jerry was back from his shopping, and Achilles’ clothes had disappeared.

He remained in the bathroom for a bit, listening to the quiet rumble of Jerry and Dee’s conversation in the living room, before venturing out with a towel tied around his waist.

“Uh, hi?” Achilles crept into the living room, feeling ridiculous.

“New clothing and toiletries in there,” Dee said, pointing at a bedroom. “Your other stuff’s in the dryer. Jerry and Art truly do have all the modern conveniences here.”

Hoping his dignity remained intact, Achilles hurried to dress. When he returned, Jerry was standing up. “Food’s in the kitchen and Dee has your phone. Stay as long as you want; just take out the trash and lock up when you go. I’m gonna head back.”

Achilles blinked. “But it’s getting dark out.”

“I see better in the dark than you do at noon. Art’s always been a little envious of that.”

“Well, thank you for… gods, for everything. You guys have literally been lifesavers. I don’t know how long it’ll be before Charles can get Ish?—”

“Aw, he’s welcome as long as he needs it. And we’re happy to help. Nice to know we can still contribute to the cause. Oh! I almost forgot this.” He dumped some keys and a wad of rubber-banded cash on the coffee table. “Take it. It’s parked out front.”

“Your car ?”

“Ya gotta get to Portland somehow, right? It’s nothing fancy, but it runs. We hardly use it, and it’s really more fuss than it’s worth. Hard to keep the battery charged when it sits there for weeks.”

There really were no words to properly express his gratitude, so Achilles instead gave him a hug. Jerry happily—enthusiastically—hugged back, leaving Achilles slightly breathless and convinced that sasquatch hug would be a better phrase than bear hug .

“I can grant you a wish,” Dee offered.

“Aw, that’s real nice. Thank you. But I already have everything I want. I hope you guys get there someday too.” After a final wave, Jerry was gone.