Chapter 16

It soon became pretty obvious to all that things were not going to plan.

After seeing Tara off on the plane Brodie had reluctantly left the airstrip and driven back to the new boma, getting there just as the crane was busy lifting the crate containing the bull rhino and carefully placing it into the custom-built reinforced enclosure. Nasir scrambled onto the roof of the crate and waited for the truck to drive back onto the track and head off towards the airfield, then signalled to Zelle and Pieter that he was going to lift the sliding door and let the beast out into the boma. Lopez was beside him, and as the gathered team watched, the two men slowly slid the heavy, counterweighted door upwards. Sliding the restraining bolts into place to keep it open, they waited with bated breath for the huge bull rhino to charge out of the restricted space and into welcoming sunshine.

But nothing happened

From her place on the platform beside the boma, Zelle strained her eyes, trying to see into the darkened interior of the crate. She thought she saw a bulky form move inside, and she could certainly hear something thumping noisily about ... but Teddy stayed put right where he was. It became blatantly obvious that he had no intention of making an appearance anytime soon.

Nasir joined them, the huge man fighting to catch his breath. He looked down at Zelle, the woman trying to conceal her impatience.

"He is afraid." Nasir's remarkable eyes were filled with concern. "He is very tired, miss, and I don't think he will come out today. He is cool and feels safe in the crate, so I think he will stay inside it for a while."

Zelle nodded, trying to contain her irritation. She would have been happier if the big animal had barrelled out of the crate and snorted his contempt at the puny humans around him ... that would have been more in character. But this lack of confidence did not bode well. Teddy was insecure, she knew, but she couldn't gauge his condition and check that he had fared well during transport if he refused to come out of the crate.

That evening Brodie had to cope not only with his growing depression at Tara's absence, but also with a fretting and grouchy Zelle, an unhappy Pieter trying to deal with Zelle's snappy and snide comments, and an exhausted Nasir ibn al Abbas. It was apparent to all of them that the big Afghan hadn't slept in a couple of days, but he set his bedroll on the ground beside the boma and settled down, sitting cross-legged beside the crate.

Brodie knew depression when he saw it and he guessed that not only was Nasir worried about his charge, but he was also terribly homesick.

Limping painfully down from the new research centre he saw Nasir sitting gazing over the vista stretched out before him, the trees a riot of rich green and the grassland spreading out towards the sea. As he drew closer he could hear a snuffling sound coming from the crate … the rhino was nosing at the air vent nearest to Nasir and he could hear soft words in a language he couldn't understand as the big Afghan murmured reassurances to the nervous beast.

For a moment the look on Nasir's austere face was nothing but pure grief, and Brodie almost turned away, not wanting to disturb the man. But Nasir sensed Brodie's presence and turned, a smile quirking up the corners of his mouth.

"Mister Brodie." He nodded in acknowledgement.

Brodie grimaced.

"Frank, please. This 'Mister Brodie' shit drives me nuts." He limped to a halt, a sudden shaft of pain shooting through his hip and back. Today had been hard on his game leg, and he was paying for it now, with his leg beginning to protest at the strain.

Nasir stood, face suddenly concerned.

"Are you not well, Mist … Frank? I must apologise … I should have brought some chairs down here -"

Brodie waved a hand dismissively.

"Don't worry about it. I have my bad days and my good days, and this just happens to be one of my bad ones." He looked at the tall man speculatively. "You hungry? Joe Petrowski's busy layin' out supper over at the chow wagon if you want to go eat …"

Nasir flashed a white smile but shook his head.

"No, thank you. I cannot leave Asad. He would be too upset if I left him alone, and he is already very afraid. I must stay here."

Brodie returned the grin. He understood where Nasir was coming from, even if he thought he was a little crazy. But then, he thought, everyone has a right to be crazy about somethin' once in a while … and he thought of Tara, thousands of miles away in San Francisco and his chest tightened. God, how he missed her …

"Okay. I can understand that. But I'd guess you're still hungry, huh?"

Nasir's eyebrows raised as Brodie unslung his walkie-talkie and called Joe Petrowski, asking him to get someone to bring up some food to the boma … enough for two. Oh, and could they manage to bring a couple of camp chairs and a small table? Nasir heard this Joe Petrowski chuckle and say it wouldn't be a problem, and that it was as good as done.

Fifteen minutes later Logan arrived in a jeep and unloaded the chairs and table, then a food container was set on the ground beside the table along with a chill-box containing cold sodas. Logan grinned cheekily and headed back to the accommodation area and left Nasir and Brodie to unpack the food.

Joe Petrowski was a thoughtful man for all of his rough, tough exterior, and he had included fresh salad, and a variety of vegetarian foods as well as spicy lamb dishes and a fresh, herby omelette. A plate of fresh fruit was included for dessert, Joe figuring Nasir would struggle with a western diet to begin with.

Brodie watched as Nasir tucked in with relish, and realised the big man was starving.

"When did you last eat something?"

Nasir swallowed a mouthful of croissant, enjoying the texture of this new food.

"Yesterday. I didn't have time to eat this morning, and I wanted to get Asad settled in first. He is the most important thing, Frank. He is what has kept me going these past few years …" He returned to his food, savouring the taste of Joe's good cooking. Brodie thought he could do with a few good meals tucked under his belt.

They ate in silence for a while, Nasir turning occasionally to check on his charge, the big rhino still standing unseen in the crate. Food and water had been placed in the entrance to the huge crate, but the rhino hadn't yet plucked up the nerve to go and investigate.

Brodie sat back, feeling warm and comfortable with a plateful of food in him.

"So, Nasir - what do you think of the place so far?"

Nasir was still munching his way through a side serving of salad and enjoying the spicy tenderness of the lamb curry.

"I haven't seen much yet - but I think, perhaps, Asad will be happy here. And that is all that matters."

Brodie was intrigued as he noted the devotion in this big, rangy man sitting opposite, eating as though he hadn't been fed properly in months.

"How come you speak English so good? I mean, we were expecting …" His voice tailed away. Did he sound patronising? He hoped not. But he was interested in Nasir. Interested in his background and how he had come to be caring for a cantankerous rhino in the wilds of Afghanistan.

Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Nasir gave Brodie a flashing white grin, softening the hawk-like features for a moment.

"My employer … he encouraged us to learn English. Said it impressed his friends. And I had many English friends years ago, so I was not new to the language. When I studied at University …" But suddenly his voice tailed away. Brodie saw the pain in his eyes and instantly recognised it for what it was. Loss. The man had lost something … or, more likely, someone … very dear to him.

Brodie grimaced.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to pry."

Nasir nodded, accepting the apology. But then he tilted his head quizzically.

"The woman you were talking to … the one that left on the aeroplane … she is your woman, no?"

Brodie sighed. It was that obvious? And his heart skipped a beat as he thought of Tara once more, missing her smile, missing her touch …missing her love.

"Yeah, you could say that, although she wouldn't appreciate being called 'my' woman."

Nasir smiled.

"Ah. These western women. Independent, so they say. You miss her? She's coming back?"

Brodie couldn't stop the muscles jumping along his jaw as his stress levels raised.

"I damn well hope so … yeah, she's comin' back. She's got a family emergency in San Francisco. Kinda complicated. But she shouldn't be away too long … and yeah, I miss her."

I miss her somethin' bad …

The ache in his chest didn't seem to want to go away, no matter how hard he told himself Tara would be gone for only a short while.

Nasir lifted a banana and looked at it in wonder. He had never tasted a banana before. Tentatively he peeled it and took a mouthful, his expressive eyes widening at the lush, sweet taste. Chewing slowly he looked over at Brodie and saw the pain in him at his woman's absence. He swallowed, letting the sweetness of the fruit linger in his mouth.

"It is hard to be apart from someone you love." He took a deep breath. "I have … a son. He is still in Afghanistan with his grandmother … my mother. I miss him."

Brodie frowned. The man had a son.

"That's tough. Still, you'll see him when you go home. Any other family?"

A shadow passed over Nasir's face at the question and Brodie instantly regretted his words, but it was already asked and he couldn't retract it. The big Afghan shook his head.

"No… no other family. Just my mother and my son." The man was silent for a moment, and Brodie hoped he hadn't asked too personal a question. But Nasir took a deep breath and continued. "I had … I had a wife once. And a daughter. They died."

"Damn … sorry man, I shouldn't have mentioned it - " Brodie was distinctly uncomfortable with Nasir's obvious pain, but the man carried on as though Brodie wasn't there.

"They were killed, you see. When the Taliban came to power women were not allowed education … not allowed to show their faces, not allowed outside with anyone other than male members of their immediate family." He looked at Brodie with anger in those green-gold eyes. "My wife was an educated woman, intelligent, loyal … beautiful. She was chaste and devoted, but fierce in the defence of all that she held dear. I met her when she was fifteen … and I loved her from that moment on. Our marriage was arranged, but I would have chosen her above all others even if I had been given the choice. She believed in the words of the Prophet, Blessings be upon Him, but she believed that women were held equal in the eyes of others. I was working away from home and Halimah spoke against the regime, quietly, but persuasively." He took a deep, shuddering breath, and Brodie sat, rapt with shock. Nasir smiled. "They took her, Frank. They took her and took my daughter. She was only thirteen, but that didn't stop them from torturing her, raping her repeatedly and then stoning her to death beside her mother. My son was saved merely by the fact that he was playing with friends. He came home to find his mother and sister gone."

Brodie's eyes widened with horror.

"Jesus …"

Nasir exhaled noisily and straightened in his chair.

"But, that was a long time ago. My son is now twelve and happy, and he is being educated. My mother is old but enjoys caring for him. I just want the best I can for him, but I miss him very much … just as you miss your woman."

The two men sat quietly for a moment in the gathering night, listening to the crickets in the undergrowth and the soft, grumbling breathing of the huge rhino. Nasir sighed.

"If you will excuse me, it is time for prayer. Which way is north-west?"

Brodie indicated the direction as Nasir brought out a prayer mat and lifted a fresh bottle of soda from the box in readiness to cleanse himself before prayer.

Brodie put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently.

"You take it easy, my friend. Anything you need, you just ask, okay?"

Nasir smiled his thanks.

"Thank you for listening, Frank. I haven't spoken of this for a long time, but it feels right to have told you. I see the pain in you and know you understand. Sometimes it is difficult for others to understand, but in you I see the truth of it."

Brodie didn't know what to say … but knew what Nasir was telling him. Sometimes pain eased when it was shared with others. The ache for Tara almost swamped him.

Turning, he limped back to his jeep and left the lonely, grieving man to his prayers.

********************

When Brodie got back to his accommodation unit the telephone was ringing.

His head was still full of Nasir's story, but when he lifted the receiver he was relieved to hear Tara's voice.

"Hey, Frank! Where have you been? I've been trying to get hold of you for a couple of hours."

Brodie thought she sounded tired and a little irritable, but he let it pass.

"Oh … well, that goddamn rhino won't come out of the crate. He's just sittin' there like an ass-hole and won't show his ugly mug. Looks like it's gonna be a waitin' game, Nasir says."

"Nasir?" Tara sounded a little confused.

"His handler. Long story. I'll tell you all about it when you get back." Brodie took a deep breath and asked the question that had been bothering him all day. "When are you comin' home, gal? I miss you."

There was a slight pause on the end of the line as Tara hesitated.

"I'll be home by the end of the week, Frank. Everything's just about all settled, really, it just needed me to make some decisions about Katy's future."

Brodie felt his stomach churn. He knew what was coming.

"She's comin' home with you." It was a declaration rather than a question.

"Yeah, she's coming home with me." Tara sounded exhausted but quite calm. "I couldn't leave her here, Frank, I'm sorry. Things aren't … well, ideal, let's say. I got here, settled into the hotel then went to see the lawyers. I visited Katy this evening, and I can't leave her, Frank. I'm sorry, hon, but I just couldn't."

Brodie rubbed a big hand over his face. Well, he would cope with it when they came home. If he wanted Tara, then Katy was now part of the package. And there wasn't a cat in hell's chance that he could ever live without Tara. He loved her. And because he loved her, he would learn to love Katy too, he decided.

"Okay, gal. You do what you gotta do, and I'll see you both on Friday, maybe? You need me to do anything? Get something for her to sleep on, that sort of thing? Food? What do kids eat?"

"Don't worry Frank, Katy's pretty easy to deal with." Brodie could hear the weary smile in her voice. "You'll like her Frank - she's a good kid, and she has a good heart."

"I gotcha. I'll just wait until you get home then … I miss you, Tara. Come home soon."

He thought he heart a hitch in Tara's voice as she answered.

"I miss you too, Frank. I'll try to be home Friday, and I'm sure you'll get on with Katy just fine. It'll be okay, I just know it. Oh, and Frank?"

"What?" Brodie was puzzled for a moment.

"Thanks. Thanks for being so understanding. There aren't many men willing to take on somebody else's child. I have to go. I love you, and I'll see you soon."

They said reluctant goodbyes, and Brodie placed the receiver back in its cradle. Turning he slumped gingerly down into the comfortable old sofa, Moron placing his huge head in Brodie's lap, beetling his eyebrows in concern.

"'Understanding', she says. Well, you putz, looks like good ol' Frank Brodie seems to be cornering the market in bein' understanding these days …" He rumpled Moron's soft ears. "Hope you like kids, dog, because you're gonna have to share the damn sofa with Katy." Moron wagged his tail, not sure what his master was saying but sure it was something nice. "Hope to hell she likes dogs, for that matter." Brodie looked at the dog sternly. "You even look at her funny, you ass-hole, and I'll kick your hairy butt all the way to Santa Teresa an' back, y'hear?"

The huge dog just grinned.

********************

The rhino stubbornly refused to come out of the crate.

For the next three days he just stood in the darkness of the crate, causing untold concern to those around him. Nasir tried cajoling and rattling a bucket with his favourite food, a mixture of fruit sliced with brown, unleavened bread chunks. At one point Zelle thought it would succeed, but just as the early morning sun struck the edge of his prehensile upper lip, the animal retreated with a grunt of alarm back into the safety of the crate. Nasir left the bucket at the entrance, but the animal steadfastly ignored it.

They tried everything ... food ... pheromone spray ... nothing worked. Zelle became fraught with worry, concerned that the huge animal wasn't eating, although Nasir knew the rhino took a few mouthfuls of water at night. They sprayed the crate with cold water in the heat of the day to try and keep him cool, and settled down to wait him out. Sooner or later Teddy - or Asad, as everyone began to call him - would take the plunge and come out into the fresh air and sunshine of his sheltered enclosure.

Brodie was on tenterhooks.

He spent a lot of his time down at the boma and readying the huge main enclosure for the two female black rhinos, Daisy and Ermintrude, who were arriving in a few days time. But in his spare time he began to think about what Katy would need when she arrived.

For a start, Brodie knew she needed the basics - a bed, and something to eat. The bed wasn't a problem. Pieter and Joe brought over one of the single camp beds they had used when they first arrived on the island, and as everyone became aware of Katy's impending arrival, advice - practical or otherwise - began to flow Brodie's way.

He spoke to Charles Cunningham and confirmed that it was all right for Katy to live with himself and Tara, because if it wasn't then he would look for another job. Cunningham told him to stop being such a goddamn ass-hole. He would be delighted for the child to live on the island, and he even told Brodie to get the builders to make their house a priority. Katy needed a home and stability, and living in an accommodation unit wasn't exactly ideal. Schooling wouldn't be a problem, Cunningham said, as her education could be done via the internet until the other workers' families moved in, and a small school could be set up on the island. Oh, and Brodie was to bring Katy to meet him as soon as was practical - he would enjoy that, he said. Children made him feel young again.

As Friday drew closer, Brodie was astounded at the kindness of his co-workers. There was a great deal of good-natured ribbing about big, rough, tough and bad-tempered Frank Brodie having to change diapers, and meeting prospective beaus with a sawn-off shotgun when Katy was old enough, all of which made Brodie growl and bitch to himself constantly. But in between the banter there were offers of baby-sitting, teaching Katy to ride a horse, and help with school-work. There was also help of a practical nature, with presents of bedroom furniture dug out of stores and even the offer of a new computer from Cunningham so Katy could do her lessons.

But as Friday dawned his stomach began to churn. This was it. His life was going to change once more, and as he headed out in the late afternoon to the airstrip to meet the helicopter bringing Tara and Katy home, he wondered again if he was going to manage to cope. Being a member of a family was new to Frank Brodie. He had only ever been responsible for himself, and even when Tara came along he was confident in her ability to take care of herself - that was one of the things he loved about her ... her independence. But as for having a child about the place, a child that had had one hell of a tough time of it at that, frightened him half to death. He wondered if he would be any good at it - perhaps Katy wouldn't like him ... perhaps she would hate him on sight. What if she did? He swallowed nervously as he drove, the jeep bumping over the ruts in the track. What if she did like him?? What then? He didn't think he'd make much of a father figure. What kind of life could he offer her? Could he be gentle, and kind ... could he even communicate with her on a level she understood? He didn't know how to talk to kids. Shit, what had he got himself into?

Well, there was nothing he could do about it now. He would just have to muddle through it somehow, and at least he had Tara to keep him straight. She would help him deal with Katy, and he didn't suppose the kid was too much trouble. Tara said she was a good kid ... 'nice', was what she had said.

Bringing the jeep to a halt beside the small control tower, he eased out of the vehicle and gathered up his stick, Moron jumping out of the back seat and settling at Brodie's feet. The big dog knew something was happening today, but wasn't sure what it was. He hoped his mistress was coming home today, as he knew Brodie was lost without her, and Moron didn't like to see Brodie so sad.

Brodie hitched his backside on the wing of the jeep and put on his sunglasses. He could hear the gentle throb of helicopter blades in the distance and sighed.

Tara would be home in a matter of ten minutes or so, and she and Brodie would be embarking on a new stage of their lives together ... that of surrogate parents to a bereaved seven-year-old girl.

Jeez, he thought, what with Katy and a stupid, dumb-ass rhino who don't know what's good for him, life can't get much more complicated - I hope.

Shaking his head in bewilderment, Frank Brodie settled down to wait.

***********************

She's so little ...

That was Brodie's first thought as he saw Tara get out of the helicopter then turn to help Katy down onto the tarmac, the downdraft from the slowing rotor blades swirling long, toffee-blond hair around the child's elfin face.

He could see the fear on Katy's features, even from this distance, and a small hand clutched Tara's long fingers as they trotted away from the helicopter in a crouch until clear of the blades. Straightening they slowed to a walk and Brodie saw Tara look for him, her face breaking into a relieved grin as she spotted him beside the tower. Raising her free hand she waved delightedly, then bent down to speak to the child beside her, pointing Brodie out to her. He saw Katy pull her thumb from her mouth and wave hesitantly.

Brodie hitched an eyebrow in surprise at the gesture and lifted a hand in response, unsure of himself. Then he saw Tara's pace quicken as she came closer, and suddenly she was in his arms, her free hand caressing his cheek as she kissed him deeply, Katy still hanging on tightly to her other hand. Brodie held her tight, burying his face in the hollow of her neck, murmuring softly how much he had missed her. They stood holding one another for long moments, then Tara remembered that Katy was still hanging onto her hand and broke away, still drinking in the details of Brodie's face. She thought he looked strained and tired, but well enough. She looked down at Katy who still clung to her fingers.

"Frank … I'd like you to meet Katy Matthews."

Brodie gazed into dark eyes that were huge with wonder and not a little fear. She was a miniature version of Tara except for her hair, which was a soft honey-blonde, and Brodie realised the Matthews genes ran strong in the child. Whoever her father was, the man hadn't left much of himself in his daughter. He was a little nervous, he had to admit.

"Hey, Katy. How are ya?" He stuck out a big hand.

Tara smirked. Trust Brodie to treat her like a grown-up.

Katy looked up at Brodie and decided he was quite the tallest, biggest man she had ever seen in her life. She studied the huge hand held out for her to shake, and she blinked in wonderment. She had never shaken hands with anyone before, let alone a giant of a man with the bluest eyes she had ever seen. But she faced a dilemma. Did she let go of her Aunt Tara's hand or did she remove her thumb once more from her mouth and return the shake? The thumb came out of her mouth with a sucking noise and was proffered to the big man, who shook it solemnly.

"You can talk to him if you like, Katy - I told you, Frank's okay. He won't hurt you."

Brodie's head jerked up. Hurt her? He could no more hurt a child than harm that stupid goddamn dog of his. Had someone hurt Katy? He felt his stomach tighten at the thought. Katy looked up at him, and he was startled to see the fear in her eyes. She was afraid of him! He took a deep breath. How the hell did he deal with this? Well, he had to say something …

"Hey, short-stop, don't worry - I ain't eaten a kid for … oh … at least a couple of months, and that was only because I hadn't had breakfast that day." He frowned at her.

Katy's eyes widened even more and he heard the sharp intake of breath. Shit, he'd frightened her even more! And he'd only tried to lighten things up a little … but then he saw her mouth twitch into the smallest ghost of a smile. He slowly exhaled in relief. She realised he was joshing with her!

"R … really?"

Brodie nodded.

"Uh-huh. Nice, fat, juicy one too. But don't worry - you're too little and skinny just yet. You gotta fill out some, kid." He saw Katy's little face dissolve into a shy smile, and knew he'd managed to break the ice. "Okay, short-stop, c'mon an' meet Moron. Do you like dogs?" Katy nodded eagerly. "Good. 'Cause he's a big, hairy stupid sonofabi … er, feller, but he's real soft and easy to get along with. You okay about that?"

Katy thought for a moment, then looked up at Brodie.

"What's a Moron? That's a silly name for a dog …"

Brodie frowned. He'd forgotten kids liked to ask questions all the time, and he scowled at Tara as he heard her snort with amusement. She grinned unrepentantly.

"Well, you'd better tell her, Frank. Come to think of it, why did you call him Moron?"

Brodie groaned inwardly. This was going to be harder than he thought …

"A moron is someone who's real dumb, just like this stupid dog."

Moron had heard his name and trotted over from the jeep to greet Tara. Katy's eyes almost bugged out. The animal was huge!!! He was big, and hairy, and … and … kinda sloppy, she thought, as Tara received a flurry of disgusting, slurpy licks as she hugged the big beast. Then Tara tugged Katy a little closer and Moron turned his attention to the small, slender girl. Katy hesitantly reached out and touched the soft, golden coat, and Moron huffed with delight.

Katy Matthews was instantly in love.

Moron sidled up to her and Katy wrapped thin arms around his golden ruff and hugged him tight, the huge dog standing quite still as Katy held him close, and Brodie swore he could see the stress flow out of the slight frame as Katy relaxed into the big dog's thick coat.

Tara and Brodie looked at one another. Well, so far, so good.

One of the mechanics brought over Tara and Katy's luggage and helped Brodie load it into the jeep, and Tara gently lifted the girl into the back seat, belting her in firmly. Brodie waved at Moron and the huge animal jumped into the seat beside the child, Katy's big brown eyes sparkling with pleasure as Moron settled down and laid a broad muzzle on her lap. She fondled his soft chocolate-gold ears and the dog groaned with pleasure at the attention.

Before he got into the driver's seat, Brodie turned and studied the girl. She was too small for her age, and she looked as though a slight breeze would blow her away. She was shy, frightened and trying really hard to deal with yet another new situation in her short life. He wondered for a moment just how difficult it had been for her. Tough, he guessed. A flake for a mother, good-intentioned though she might have been, an absent father, and then the desperate loss of her parent. Tough indeed, Brodie decided. He would talk to Tara about her plans … no, he corrected himself. Their plans for Katy. He thought Katy was okay, and so far so good, she hadn't taken an immediate dislike to him. He saw her lift her gaze from Moron and look at him. The trust in that dark gaze shook him.

He cleared his throat.

"Ah, okay, kid. You hungry?"

Katy blinked and nodded shyly. Brodie gave her his best frown.

"Yeah. Me too."

Katy's eyes widened as Brodie let the frown dissolve into a lop-sided smile.

"Hey, don't worry, short-stop. I already told ya - you're too damn skinny to eat. What we need to do is go meet a friend of mine … his name's Joe. Joe Petrowski. He makes the best goddamn burger and fries you ever tasted. You like burgers and fries? Good. So do I." Before he could stop himself, Brodie gave Katy a cheeky wink, and his heart soared as she gave him a sweet, wide smile. Jeez, he thought - how the hell did that happen? Shit, the kid was okay!

He caught the gleam of amusement in Tara's eyes as he heaved himself into the driver's seat and turned the ignition key. He cocked an eyebrow at her.
"What??"

Tara shook her head and grinned.

"Frank Brodie, you are just one big, soft bowl of mush, you know that?" She reached over and caught his face in her hands and kissed him sweetly. "Let's go home, Frank. I'm tired, and I missed you. I'll tell you all about it in the morning, but right now … right now I want to spend some time with my man, if that's okay. And my Katy." She sighed happily. "My family."

Family. Brodie grinned despite himself. Yeah. Things might just work out well enough for him to allow himself to think the same way, he decided.

Putting the jeep into gear he drove out onto the rough tracks and headed down to the compound where Joe Petrowski and the rest of the team awaited the new arrivals.

*********************

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