David grinned. "Simpson and Baker left it behind for me, actually. They'd been using my truck for some of their backwoods tracking so they felt bad about what happened to it."

Joey frowned. "That's a bit like sleeping with the enemy, don't you think?"

"They're not the enemy," David said. "They have a job to do like everyone else in the world. They're simply looking for a little cooperation, is all. And I suggest we give it to them."

"Suggest all you want," Jenny said. "But I'm not cooperating with those b.a.s.t.a.r.ds at any point in the near future."

David smiled. "Not even if I asked you nicely?"

"Not even," she said, grinning.

David sighed. "All right, then. Climb in, everyone. Let's get going. It'll be a slower ride in the dark as it is."

Annja took a look at the sky. Unlike the previous night, there didn't seem to be any clouds looming overhead, ready to open up on them at any second. Instead, pinpoints of light dotted the heavens in every direction, producing quite a bit of ambient light. It's really beautiful here, she thought.

"Annja, you ready?"

She looked back at Jenny, who was already in the backseat. "Sorry. Just got caught up looking at the sky."

Annja belted herself in as David threw the truck into gear and rolled quietly out of the back lot. Gravel crunched underneath the tires as they hit the asphalt. David steered them onto the main road and then drove out of town.

"You're not taking us back to where we nearly died this morning, are you?" Annja asked. "I really hate revisiting the scene of near tragedies."

"Not at all, but we do roll past there. We're going to my home up in the mountains. It won't take us much more than ten minutes to get there. We can eat, then I'll show you the evidence I have that proves that big foot exists."

"I prefer you call him Sasquatch," Joey said. "It's a Native American thing."

"Sorry."

Joey shrugged. "Forget it. So what is it you have, anyway? A plaster cast of a footprint?"

David shook his head. "I'm not telling. Not yet, at least."

Jenny elbowed Annja. "I'm getting bored with this teasing bit."

"So am I."

Joey kept guessing. "Piles of old p.o.o.p?"

David laughed. "You'll have to be patient."

Joey leaned back into the seat and sighed. "Well, what's for dinner, then? Can you at least tell us that?"

"Sure. Barbecued chicken and potato salad. You guys okay with that? I've got the grill out and can get it fired up in no time."

"It's a little dark to be grilling, don't you think?" Jenny said.

David shook his head. "Porch lights will help. Besides, we'll need them on for later."

Annja looked at Jenny. Why would they need porch lights? That didn't make any sense, unless what David had to show them was outside. But what could he possibly have as evidence that had to be kept outside?

"So where are Simpson and Baker now?" she asked. "I'm a.s.suming you know where their camp is."

David shook his head. "They don't need to check in with me, unfortunately, so I don't know where they are. All they have to do is let me know what they're up to and that's about it. They really have free reign of the place."

"Must be nice," Joey said. "All that power. Not having to answer for any crimes. Must be very nice."

David eyed him. "You driving at something, Joey?"

Joey shrugged. "Nope. Just saying that no one is untouchable. Even those who think they've got the best position can sometimes be unseated unexpectedly."

David held up a finger. "Joey, I'm going to have to tell you not to disturb those guys. They aren't going to fool around with you. You know what they can do if they're provoked."

"How would I provoke them?"

"I know some of what you're capable of."

Joey sighed. "It's not my fault if the laws of nature decide to move against them. I can't be held responsible for that."

"You can be if you're the tool of their justice. You know I'd have to arrest you. And even though you're still a juvenile, you'd still get into a lot of trouble for interfering. I have no doubt that these guys can make your life pretty miserable. They might even be able to make you disappear."

"I'm not a magic trick," Joey said.

"Nope, you're not. But you are a fourteen-year-old boy who can do things most adults can't do. Surely your grandfather has taught you that with power comes great responsibility. And that responsibility is yours to ignore or abide by."

"He might have said something like that."

"Then I hope you'll honor his wise words by following them. To ignore them would be foolish and dangerous."

Joey lapsed into silence as the trees flew past the windows. David's headlights cut through the night, and the road in front of them was reduced to two beams of yellow that just enabled him to navigate the twists and turns.

"Where do you live, David?" Annja asked.

"We're almost there," he said. "Just another half mile. Then there's the turnoff and a steep grade to climb, but we'll be at the house."

"You live alone?"

"Except for Missy."

Jenny tensed up. "Who is Missy?"

"A calico cat who keeps me company. I've had her for about ten years now. Mostly she sleeps, gets up to eat and then finds another place to sleep. She's got quite the busy schedule."

Jenny relaxed and went back to looking out the window. Annja watched her and sighed. Jenny needed to get over whatever it was she felt for David. Annja still wasn't sure how much she even trusted him.

"We're here."

David turned the steering wheel and abruptly the truck seemed to rear back on its wheels as the front treads bit into the steep incline and churned to gain purchase. They eased up the driveway and then leveled off.