“Pretty much?”
“Pretty much means there’s something else.”
“She knew about my business with the Hitler diaries.”
Hunter’s head tilted to one side. “Ohhh…now we’re getting somewhere.”
“You know I don’t like talking about it.”
“I know you don’t, and I know why you don’t. But remember, that’s one of your emotional weak points, Gage. You’re like an Abrams tank. Nobody knew where to hit that sucker. But a smart enemy with good intel would have known that all you have to do is aim just up under the—”
“I get it,” Gage snapped. He reset himself and apologized. “It’s not just that she knew, sir. It’s not about Monika, either.”
“Then what is it?”
Gage eyed his surrogate father for a protracted moment. “Being straight with you, stripping it all away…I just want to go back.”
“To Germany?”
“Yes.”
“I thought you went a few years back, when you were protecting that Ukrainian smoke-show?”
“I did go back.”
“Well?”
“It’s not the same, sir. Visiting for a day or two while someone’s shooting at you doesn’t compare with staying. Living there, you begin to understand the rhythm of the people, and the place. Which café makes the best cup of coffee. Where to go for the best bread. The correct street to cut through to avoid traffic. What a cold, eastern wind means. Exactly how to counter when a good law-abiding German uses their favorite phrase of ‘it’s not possible.’ You become a part of the fabric.”
The colonel rolled his eyes.
“No offense against you and Miss Alice, either. I don’t want to leave here for good. I’d just like a few seasons in my old homeland. I’d like a chance to end on good terms this time.”
“Good terms? You’re telling me you’re willing to go hold some old woman’s hand while she dies? Do you know how messy that is? You go over there and get attached to her, it’s gonna be gut wrenching. Can you handle another season of sorrow in Germany?”
Hunter was correct, Gage realized. Though he’d been around death more than most people, he’d never once witnessed life slip away from someone over days and weeks. He assumed it would be heartrending.
“I liked her, sir. In that short time, I really enjoyed her spirit. Yeah, she tugged at my heartstrings a bit. But in the end, I’d like to help her.”
Hunter licked his lips. “She gonna pay you?”
Gage nodded.
“How much?”
“She told me to set a fair price.”
“Set a fair price,” Hunter parroted, tilting his face back to the darkening sky. “Why couldn’t someone have ever said that to me? Sure, colonel…charge me whatever you want…just set a fair price.” He eyed Gage. “Yeah…she’s rich, or she’s already fully cracked. I get why you like her.”
“It’s not about the money.”
Hunter leaned forward and scratched Sheriff’s belly. “If you were anyone else, Gage, I wouldn’t believe you.”
“I’m going to sleep on it.”
“That’s real nice,” Hunter dismissed. “But you won’t change your mind.”
“I might.”
“No, hell you won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
Hunter didn’t respond.
Gage went out to the cottage and refroze his ground beef. An hour later, he joined the Hunters for hot chicken salad. For sides, Alice made roasted Brussels sprouts and asparagus, and fresh bread. After dinner, Gage and the colonel each had a bowl of ice cream with walnuts. Other than a quick retelling at the beginning of supper, for Alice’s sake, they didn’t speak of Claudia Vogel again over the balance of the evening.
That night, Gage slept on the decision.
Colonel Hunter was correct—Gage didn’t change his mind.
* * *
“Hello?”
“Hi, this is Gage. Is this Anthony?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Make it to Charleston, okay?”
“We did. Just came in from an afternoon down at the market. Heading out for supper in a couple of hours.”
“Good. Is Claudia available?”
“Let me go tap on her door.”
Gage could hear Anthony exit his room and knock on Claudia’s door. Then came a click and the murmur of conversation.
“You sure you’re okay, missus?” Anthony asked in the background.
“I’ve got my walker, thank you. Hello, Gage?”
“Hi, Claudia.”
“One moment. I use my walker in my room. Just let me get back to my chair.” Shuffling and several thumps. “I’m not as weak as I let on. I can still manage in a small space like a hotel room. But it helps if I conserve my energy throughout the day. So…you’re calling me with your decision?”
“I am. I’m pleased to accept the job, Claudia.”
“Splendid!”
“Yes, ma’am, the only thing is—”
“I’d like you to meet me in Germany, at the airport in Frankfurt. Does that suit?”
“That’s fine, Claudia. But—”
“I’m due to fly on Friday. My flight is sold out but there are seats on the Lufthansa flight out of Charlotte. We checked. If it’s suitable for you, I’ll have someone take care of your ticket for you.”
“Yes, ma’am. All that sounds fine. But I do have a few conditions about the job,” Gage replied, getting it out quickly before she could keep going.
“Yes?”
“I don’t want to be overpaid.” Gage gave her a weekly figure.
“That’s not enough money,” she replied, her tone grave.
“It is, and if you attempt to overpay me, I’m not coming.”
“Well, I suppose I must respect your convictions. Provided you let me cover all your expenses, it’s a deal. What else?”
“I can’t stay longer than six months. It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s—”
“Gage, it won’t be six months. If you’ll recall my telling you, just a few weeks ago I wasn’t using a walker
