Chapter 100

“By the way ... where are you taking me for barbecue?”

“No ... I don’t want a surprise ... I have one of my own.”

“Mine? Surprise Me Flintkote.”

“It’s the name on her birth certificate.”

“My Auntie Mom.”

“Since I was five.”

“She’s here.”

“She is temporarily replacing an instructor who died.”

“She’s not coming with us.”

<she might>

“I need to know ... I’m chipped...”

“Since I was born.”

“When did I find out?”

“When I went to register my cat ... s.”

“The vet told me.”

“I was five.”

“If you don’t tell me where now, Auntie mom will activate my tracker ... unless I call in every fifteen minutes.”

“I’d rather not say ... but you could Google me.”

“Flintkote International.”

“Call me back.”

“East of Bud, a pallet BBQ place on North FM973 ... best I ever ate.”

“Thank you ... see you Friday.”

“North on 973. We’re going to look.” Alice, Simone and Two loaded up in the ‘34

It was set at the edge of the woods ... a shack built outta pallets ... smelled wonderful. No license ... wonderful eats.

I told the 14 year old waitress, “We’ll be back ... probably a bunch ... Friday you ought to cook for at least 50 more than usual.”

She ran inside ... pretty soon a man big as a house stepped up to the table, “What have you been telling my little girl?”

“We’re coming Friday ... a bunch. Tell ya what. Here’s three hundred dollars ... cook what you can with that.”

“No joke?”

“Nope. I live at Bud Field.” I gave him my cell number. “Stop by ... but call so I can let you in.”

He went back to his cooking.

Sure enough, my cell rang. I answered.

“Just checkin’.”

I looked over at the kitchen. He waved.

I tucked my 9mm Sig Sauer P365 in my little purse.

He’s a cop, you say. You won’t need that.

Pay any attention to the news? I say.

I had to meet him at the gate.

“We’re doubling,” I said in response to the questioning look.

“This is Really your first date,” he said.

“Yes. I never had time in high school.”

“Ok ... where’s the cat?”

“Raul? He’s going overland. Left a half hour ago.”

“I know that look ... I told him ... that’s how.”