Suicide Highway

“A bunch of really angry goombas we kicked out of power, who are still packing enough rifles to shoot up half the country. That’s who,” Wesley explained.

She sighed. “I’ve had people out to get me before. I’ll live.”

“I’m serious, Theresa.”

“Call me Tera,” she said.

“Tera…sorry…”

“I’m serious, too, Robert.”

Wesley reflexively bared his teeth, then calmed himself. “You say you can trust him, so tell me, is Stone his real name?”

“I can’t confirm or deny that for you. It’s not my place. I can tell you, though, even though we only worked together once, I trust him with every ounce of my being.”

Wesley hung his head. “I see.”

Geren touched his chin lightly, lifting his eyes to meet hers. “I understand you’re worried about me. And I’m worried about you, too. And I would worry about Stone, but he can take care of himself, and he’s taken care of me in the past.”

“He charges in wild-assed—”

“He can be as stealthy or as audacious as circumstances warrant,” Geren said defensively. “And he won’t let me down.”

Wesley sighed. There was going to be no winning this fight.

“Robert, I know you don’t like it, but I also don’t want you involved in our investigation. Stone and I are going after, I think, the same people, and there’s going to be a lot of gunplay.”

“Then have a soldier at your back, at least.”

“Captain Blake wants you back alive. And I don’t want to see you hurt,” Geren cut him off.

“Sorry. He said come back if possible. That was my priority. I’m also supposed to keep an eye on you and Colonel Stone,” Wesley replied. “Don’t try to leave me behind.”

“I don’t see the harm in you tagging along.” A powerful, but subtle voice spoke, startling Wesley. He looked up to see Colonel Stone seemingly appear out of nowhere. He was shaken for a moment.

“Thank you, Colonel, sir.”

“Don’t call me sir,” Bolan replied. “I work for a living.”

He offered his hand. Some of the distrust and jealousy that Wesley was hanging onto evaporated in the face of the gesture. Finally, the Green Beret took the stranger’s hand. “Sorry for being so much trouble.”

“You’re not any trouble. Just please don’t interfere with me getting fresh weapons,” Bolan said.

Wesley looked at Geren, then nodded. “I wasn’t going to have Tera go into harm’s way without someone adequately equipped on her side.”

Bolan smiled. “Good. Captain Blake won’t have a problem with that?”

Wesley looked around. “Captain who? Problem with what?”