This is Anita Blake; shes my very close friend, Chuck.
Girlfriend? He made it a question.
Jason nodded. Im bringing her home to see my dad before he dies, that put it in perspective? Jason squeezed my hand as if to say, Just agree with me. I wasnt sure I disagreed, or agreed, so I just stood there and let Jason handle it. It was his crisis, not mine.
Chuck nodded and gave me a much more respectful look. Im sorry, Miss Black.
Its Ms. and its Blake, I corrected.
He blinked at me, then said, All right, Ms. Blake. I didnt understand that you were more than agirlfriend. Im sorry, I didnt mean any disrespect.
Yeah, you did, but my ego doesnt bruise that easy, Chuck. I admit to making his name sound a little choppy at the end.
He frowned at me.
Jason squeezed my hand again. Lets just get us to the hotel as quietly as possible. I want to go to the hospital today, just in case.
Chucks face managed to look truly sympathetic. Your dad that bad?
They gave him weeks to live, but Id hate to be in town and miss him by a day.
Then lets get you in the limo, Mr. Schuyler, Ms. Blake. He put a little irony in that last part, and when he bowed to match, he flashed the gun on his hip. I realized hed unbuttoned the jacket so Id see it. Like a vampire that wanted you to see the fangs. Wanted your fear.
I smiled sweetly at him. Your hands are a little big for a thirty-two, arent they, Chuck?
His own smile wilted around the edges. It gets the job done. BuTHE sounded uncertain, as if my reply didnt match the box hed put me in. Fine with me. I liked it when muscle underestimated me. Made it easier later if later got bad.
Jason didnt push me into the back of the limo, buTHE made sure I didnt linger trading clever repartee with Chuck.
The big man asked, What hotel?
Jason named it.
Chuck said, leaning in the doorway of the limo, Damn, thats the same hotel the wedding guests are staying at.
Its the best hotel in town, Jason said.
Chuck nodded. Yeah. He gave me a look as he closed the door. It was the first look from him that didnt think piece of ass. Which meanTHE was brighter than he looked. Id have to be careful not to underestimate ol Chuck.
Why was I worried about him? Answer: he was a thug. Id been working with the police too long not to know one when I met one. What was a presidential hopeful doing with someone like that?
Dont tease him, Anita, Jason said as the limo started. We rode out of the hangar and down a separate drive, a little distance from the rest of the main airport.
Sorry, I said, Im not sure I can help myself.
Try, for me. He patted my hand, but was already looking out the window. It was worth a look. There were wooded mountains rolling out, and out, like layers of soft dragon spines curled everywhere.
For a few minutes I forgot about thugs and politicians and just looked at the mountains.
Its beautiful, I said.
Yeah, Jason said, I guess it is.
You guess? I motioned at the mountains. There were hotels and fast-food places tucked in near the road, but it wasnt close enough to ruin the view. A river cut along the left-hand side of the road, all silver shallows and sparkling rapids, set in all that green, all those trees. This is prettier than the Smokies in Tennessee.
Well, its the Blue Ridge Mountains, he said matter-of-factly.
I had a smart thought. You grew up here, so its not spectacular to you, its just normal.