Search for the Phoenix: Phoenix Series Book 2 (9 page)

“It’s nice to meet you, Kaleb and Daniel,” Megan said.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Megan,” Kaleb said as he picked up her bag. Turning to Daniel, he said, “Take care of the saddle and the blanket.” He turned and headed out of the barn. Daniel smiled at Megan, and then picked up the items and carried them away.

Ethan unbuckled Ginger’s bridle and pulled it down over her face and muzzle, and then gently removed the bit from her mouth. He hung the gear on a hook, and then reached into the bucket and pulled out a brush. “She loves a good brushing after a ride. This will take a while. Why don’t you start by telling me what’s in Nolan’s letter.”

“Oh… well… I don’t really know what he’s written,” she said. He looked at her, and his eyes told her that she should just tell him the story as she knew it. “My husband was a member of the crew of the Independence. Maybe Nolan told you, but he and three other crew members died on their last job.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Ethan said. “Nolan told me about the deaths, and it was in the news, too. He didn’t tell me you were related to one of them.”

“Yes, well, the part that wasn’t in the news was that Carl Wilkins was not responsible for their deaths. We think… Nolan and I, that is, think someone within SACOM was responsible. They used Carl as a scapegoat to cover their negligence.”

Ethan nodded. “I knew something wasn’t right. That story they told about the crew stealing shielding material from the reactor core—there was no way that happened. Carl wouldn’t have endangered them like that.”

“No, he wouldn’t have. That’s why Nolan and I are trying to find out what really happened and who was responsible. We’re sure Carl knows, but he disappeared without any trace a few days after the trial. We want to find him, if we can. I don’t know how much more to tell you, because I don’t want you to know something dangerous should SACOM question you. I think Nolan is a better judge of what to tell you. Maybe you should learn the rest from the letter.”

Ethan continued brushing Ginger without saying anything for a while. Finally, he said, “All right. We’ll leave the rest until I can read the letter. So, which of the…”

“I’m Megan Carson, John’s wife,” she said.

Ethan nodded. “John was a good man.”

“You knew him?” she asked.

“Not personally, but Nolan and Carl told me stories about all the crew members.”

“So you know Carl, then?”

“Sure. He visited here several times with Nolan when he was between contracts. Carl’s a good man, too. Lousy horseman, but a good man,” he said. “Your husband, just like the rest of the crew, was like family to Carl.”

“I know. We were all close,” was all she managed to say. She felt that familiar sting behind her eyes and lump in her throat that said she would begin crying soon if she continued this conversation in the direction it was going. Desperate for a change of subject, she said, “Tell me about Nolan.”

“How far back do you want me to go? I burped him on my shoulder as an infant,” he said.

“You don’t have to go that far back,” she said with a chuckle. “What makes him who he is now?”

“Each of us is the product of our entire life, and the early years are the most formative. To tell you what makes him who he is now, I’d have to start with burping him on my shoulder,” he said with a smile. He looked at her for a moment. “Young lady, before I say anything more about my nephew, I need to understand something. Under the circumstances, this won’t be easy for me, and I don’t think it will be easy for you either. I hope you’ll understand and forgive me.” He stepped around Ginger and began brushing her other side. “You see, I didn’t know who you were until we had this conversation. Nolan wasn’t exactly forthcoming with information. All he told me was that he was coming to visit for two weeks with a lady friend named Megan, and he had something extremely important to discuss with me. I’m sure it doesn’t take much thought to see where my imagination ran with that.”

“Oh, Ethan,” Megan said, “I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed you in any way.”

Ethan nodded. “Then I’m right to assume you and Nolan aren’t romantically involved?”

Megan smiled. “Nolan is a friend.” Ethan continued brushing Ginger, and she thought back to some of the things she had said to Nolan’s neighbors when she was staying with him. She knew how uncomfortable she must have made him, and she was feeling a bit uncomfortable now. “Ethan, I don’t know what to say. Nolan couldn’t tell you anything over a comm link. SACOM might have found out what we are doing.”

He stopped brushing and looked over the horse’s back at her. “Why would SACOM be spying on my nephew?” he asked.

“You don’t know?” she asked. After a moment, she said, “SACOM took Nolan and questioned him for five days. They were pretty rough on him. He told me a little about it. It was mostly mind games, but they tortured him a few times, too. He’s sure they’ll take him again for more questioning sooner or later. They’ll probably be rougher next time. That’s why we set up this visit, to make SACOM think he was visiting you for two weeks so they won’t come looking for him.” She patted her pocket. “I have his data unit with me, in case they are tracking him. We need to buy some time.”

“Buy time for what?” Ethan asked.

She stared at him for a moment. “I think if Nolan wants you to know, it will be in his letter.”

Ethan nodded. “All right. Well, now, Ginger is groomed and ready for a meal.” He dropped the brush into the bucket and walked out of the stall. A few minutes later, he returned with a bucket of oats and poured it into a tray attached to one wall. He stepped out again and came back with a hose that he used to fill a trough. “Let’s go into the house. We can get you settled, and then I’ll read that letter.”

* * * *

Ethan opened a door and stepped aside. Megan walked into the room and turned a full circle, taking it all in. There was a large canopy bed with intricately carved wooden posts finished in a dark stain. A dresser stood against a wall, and a matching desk was under a large window looking out on the orchard. The walls were painted pale green and the sculpted carpet was medium green. A vase full of fresh flowers stood atop the dresser, filling the room with a gentle, calming fragrance. Lavender was one of the scents she could identify.

Ethan stepped into the room. “I hope you like it,” he said.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “The view of the orchard is beautiful.”

“You have your own full bath through that door. I’m on well and septic out here, so the water pressure isn’t like what you’re used to in the city. The shower is more like a gentle rain than a waterfall.”

“It will be fine, I’m sure. Everything will be fine,” she said.

“Well, if you want anything, just say so. If I don’t have it, Miguel can get it at the village store, or he can order it and have it shipped in.”

“Who is Miguel?” she asked.

“He runs the house, does the cooking, runs errands, and does the shopping.”

Megan smiled. “I won’t need anything. I’m a simple woman with simple tastes. If I didn’t bring it in my bag, I can do without it for quite a long time.”

“Karra, my late wife, was like that. Never fussed over anything. Took life in stride and made the most of what she had in front of her. I guess that’s why she settled for me,” he said with a smile.

“If you ask me, she was a lucky lady,” Megan said.

“Well, she was happy. I know that much. I did my best, and it always seemed good enough for her. My only regret in life is…” His voice trailed off as he looked into Megan’s eyes and saw his own pain reflected there.

“What’s your one regret?” she asked.

“It’s not important,” he said softly and looked away.

“It’s okay. You can say it,” she said.

He looked at her for a moment, and then said, “My one regret is that I lost her far too soon.”

The smile faded from Megan’s face. She knew exactly what he meant.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything,” he said.

“No, it’s okay, Ethan. I guess we have something in common—a bond, you might say.”

He nodded. “I suppose so. Well now, you’ve had a long trip, and I’ve done nothing but keep you from resting. I’ll leave you to relax for a bit. Lunch will be served at noon. Just come downstairs and follow your nose. Miguel’s a good cook, and I usually take my meals at the kitchen table.” Then, after a moment’s thought, he added, “But we can eat in the dining room if you prefer a more formal meal.”

Megan shook her head. “The kitchen table sounds very homelike. Have you ever read
The Lord of the Rings
?”

“Many times,” he said.

“I’m sure I’m part Hobbit,” she said.

Ethan looked her up and down with a questioning expression.

“I’m an unusually tall Hobbit,” she said with a smile.

He nodded. “Then the kitchen table will be perfect. I’ll leave you to rest, and I’ll see you for lunch at noon.” He turned and stepped out of the room, closing the door as he went.

* * * *

Ethan hadn’t been kidding when he told her to follow her nose. The aroma of Miguel’s cooking greeted her when she opened her door. Turning right, she went down the steps to the foyer. The smell was strongest in the passageway going to the rear of the house, so that was where she went. Near the end of the hall, an archway on the right opened into a large dining room. The archway on the left led to the kitchen. Miguel was stirring something in a deep pot on the stove. The table was set for two, so apparently Miguel and Kaleb wouldn’t be joining them for the meal.

Ethan strolled down the corridor and stopped beside her in the arch. “I knew you’d find it,” he said.

“It smells delicious,” she said.

“Come in and sit down,” Ethan said.

She walked to the table and sat on the right. Ethan sat across from her. “I love the smell, Miguel,” she said. “What are you making?”

Miguel turned and smiled at her over his shoulder. “It’s beef stew, served over pasta, with steamed fresh vegetables.”

“This is one of my favorites,” Ethan said. “Miguel is a good cook.”

Quietly, she asked, “Won’t he be joining us?”

Before Ethan could answer, Miguel said, “You two have things to talk about, I’m sure. Today, I’ll be having lunch on the front porch.”

“Thank you, Miguel. That’s very thoughtful of you,” Ethan said.

Megan pulled the letter from her pocket and handed it to Ethan. “We keep putting this off.”

He nodded. With a sigh, he tore open the envelope, pulled out the paper, and unfolded it.

              Dear Uncle Ethan,

              I am sorry I am not there with you and Megan now. There is no place I would rather be. However, I have urgent business to attend to. Something is very wrong, and I think Carl is in trouble. I mean more trouble than just losing everything. I think he may be in danger. SACOM is desperate to find him. Desperate enough to have held me for five days of questioning. From their questions, I gleaned a few bits of information that I’m sure they had not intended to tell me. I think Carl stole something extremely valuable from them, and they want it back at any cost. I don’t have a lot of time, as I suspect they will come for me again for more intense questioning.

You remember how I was before Carl took me in and straightened me out. I was a lost soul. I owe a lot to Carl. I have to help him, and I’ll give anything in the attempt. You know what I mean.

Once I find Carl and get him to safety, I’ll find out what really happened, and who set us up. If anyone knows, he does.

Megan is John’s widow. Take good care of her. She is strong as horseshoe iron, but she is still hurting, as you understand better than anyone. She loves horses, and I know riding will help her to heal.

As you read this, I am stealing the Independence. I’ll need it to find Carl and get him somewhere safe. Don’t worry about me. As soon as you have read this letter, burn it. I don’t think SACOM will bother you, but don’t take any chances. They won’t waste their time questioning you, but they might stoop to searching your place. Burn it, now.

I hope to visit you soon. Maybe after SACOM grabs me next time, assuming they release me.

Nolan

Ethan handed the letter to Megan. After she had read it, she asked, “What does he mean when he says he will give anything in the attempt?”

He looked down at the table for a moment, and then looked straight into her eyes. “He means he’ll give his life trying to help Carl if he has to.”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that,” she said.

“Me too.”

“What will you do if SACOM comes to get you?” she asked.

“They won’t. Nolan’s right. They know I don’t know anything. If they come here, it will be to shake Nolan up, make him worry about me. I doubt they’ll even do that.”

“And if they do come?”

Ethan smiled, “They can search all they want to. They won’t find anything.” He took the letter from her, pulled a lighter from his pocket, and set flame to a corner of the page. It burned slowly at first, but accelerated as the flame spread across the open page. Just before it reached his fingers, he dropped it and watched it glide gently downward. A small bit of glowing embers was all that reached the floor. A thin wisp of smoke rose briefly before it was gone.