Trevor stifled a laugh.

  “Like you said, this is my battleground. Once you’re off station, don’t worry about what happens here. You’ll have more than enough on your plate.”

  Connor smirked.

  “So, you don’t want me to DS every day?”

  “No. I just want you to be safe. Be disciplined. Follow orders. Everyone will be fine here. Trust me.”

  “Always have, T.”

  This time, Connor’s eyes watered. He didn’t fight the tears.

  “You looked after me your whole life. I’ve been a perpetual pain in the ass and I let you down a few hundred times. But you never gave up on me. Trevor, I can’t tell you what that means. I’ve always looked up to you more than anyone. Thank you for trusting me at the club. I’ll never let you down.”

  As the Stallion brothers hugged, Trevor’s mind went back to Philadelphia Redux twenty-three years ago. Holding Connor beneath that bridge while the war raged above. Wondering if they were about to die in each other’s arms.

  It’s OK. You can let him go now.

  He did.

  Trevor stood with Effie and Ana, waving as Connor boarded the transport. They stood in silence until it broke seal and flew through the cascade barrier, soon to activate a wormhole.

  “I’m hungry,” Ana said. “Can we go out to eat? I think Uncle C would like us to.”

  “Hungry?” Effie said. “Didn’t you fill up at the party?”

  “Nope. I want a burger.”

  Effie chuckled. “The real thing, I assume? Not from a kiosk?”

  “Of course!”

  “Those are very expensive, sweetie.”

  Trevor stepped in.

  “I think it’s OK to splurge today. Uncle C would agree.”

  “Fine. But this time of day, we might have a bit of a wait for a table. You know how things can get at ...”

  He wagged a finger.

  “Whatever our sweetheart wants, today she gets.” He drew Ana close. “But don’t start thinking you can make demands. Got it?”

  “Sure, Papa.”

  Yes. It was a good idea. They needed a little fun. He needed a final breather before focusing on the challenges ahead.

  Then Trevor’s pom vibrated inside his jacket. He flipped it open to see a flashing red comm beacon.

  Huh. No incoming ID. Odd.

  Could it have been SI? Devonshire certainly would’ve been capable of bypassing such protocols.

  “You two go on ahead. I’ll take this and catch up.”

  He waited until they were clear before answering.

  “Trevor Stallion here. Who am I speaking to?”

  He heard a long, relaxed sigh.

  “Why, I am deeply humbled, Deputy Stallion. To command your attention is truly one of the great honors of my life.”

  Trevor tried again to ask the caller’s name, but the man – perhaps in his forties or fifties, with a lilting, theatrical voice – continued without interruption.

  “I have only recently become aware of your fine work on Amity Station. In particular, your brilliant discovery of the Black Star cell in your midst. Your prowess as a detective is surely unrivalled.”

  “Who is ...?”

  “I don’t wish to keep you, Deputy. Few things can match the love of family. What a most tragic circumstance for the families of those deceased young people. I am bereft.”

  Trevor glanced at the call data, searching for evidence of a source.

  “Ultimately, I wanted to call and compliment your fine work. We never anticipated an adversary of such skill and precision. Our next maneuvers will require a more deft approach to avoid your cunning and wiles. We will be in touch again soon.

  “In the meantime, I must say that even from a far glance, I am so enthralled by your daughter.”

  Trevor whirled about in every direction. His pulse raced.

  “I especially appreciate the way she wears her hair. The curls. A nice touch. I so dearly wish to meet her in the near future. Perhaps you can arrange it. If not, I feel certain my friends will take the initiative. Until we meet again, Trevor Stallion. Farewell.”

  Trevor’s hands shook. He fumbled the pom.

  No incoming data.

  Effie and Ana walked far ahead, holding hands.

  Happy. Oblivious.

  -----

  What new threats await Trevor, his family, and Amity Station? How will Connor fare as a soldier of the UNF? Discover the answers to those questions now in Book 2 of the series: Shadow Gambit.

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