Part IV—Bird’s Eye View

MY MAN looked tired.

I mean, me and Ernie had seen a semieventful day. We'd had to put the Closed sign up in the shop window with the little clock that said we'd be back by three. I mean, we probably would, but I couldn't remember the last time I'd done that, so that was sort of scary.

And now we had that guy in the Winnebago with the cats. He seemed like an okay guy—Ernie said to be careful, but I say any guy who likes cats and travels with 'em has got to be a good guy. It's like Duke. You know people are okay if they treat your dog right.

But right now we were five miles beyond the roadblock and two miles beyond the smoking hulk of the dead cop's SUV. His body had still been burning as we'd passed, and Ernie had said he hoped the flames were hotter in hell.

Ernie's got a good heart.

In front of us, Jai and Ace were striding down the road. Their backs were straight and their shoulders were high—so were their chins. Anybody else looking at them would see two hard-eyed men who, in spite of Jai's height, seemed suited to have a companionable brisk walk together, like friends. They looked like they could spring into action at a moment's notice, and I could be proud of that.

But I could almost feel the weariness wafting off Ace in a slow oily cloud. Jai, I thought, was like me. He was indifferent to what they'd done. Ace wore these things hard, but he wouldn't share unless I asked him.

I was trying harder and harder to be the guy who'd ask him.

Ernie pulled to the side of the road, and I rolled down the window. Ace leaned over, resting his fingertips on the edge, and grinned.

"You here to offer two footsore cowpokes a ride?" he teased, and I glared.

"Kiss," I said, pointing to my cheek.

He raised his eyebrows in surprise but went for it. I turned my head at the last second and took his lips. He sighed, some of his weariness slipping into me, but I was stronger than I looked. I could take it.

When he straightened up, he seemed a little more like my Ace. "Appreciated," he said. He went to rub his knuckle on my cheek, but he caught sight of something—a bit of blood spatter, I think, up on his arm—and drew back.

I captured his finger and kissed it and let it go.

"So," Ace said, like he was trying to pull his brain together, "who's our friend behind you?"

"He wants sanctuary," Ernie said. "I, uhm, think he's an assassin."

Ace's eyebrows went up. "You sure?"

Ernie nodded. "I got Burton vibes," he said frankly, and that was funny because I always forgot Burton was an assassin.

"Military? Pro? What?" Ace asked.

Ernie shrugged. "If I thought he was dangerous, I would have had Sonny crack him over the head and given the kittens to Cotton. But he's still alive, and Cotton thinks he's coming to visit later this weekend. I figure you're the best judge of character. Just remember, that Winnebago's got a long way to go in the desert for us to torch it and not have anybody notice."

Ace nodded and scrubbed his sweaty hair with his hands. "What's for dinner tonight?" he asked me.

"I got enough chicken to fry some for a bunch of us," I told him.

He gave a small smile. "Well, if this guy's not an asshole, we'll ask him by. Be sure to check on George when you get home. He… he shouldn't be alone, and I guess me and Jai might be a little longer."

Ernie nodded. "I'll do that. We should get going to the shop. I know Sonny's got work to do."

"Fair," Ace said. He gave me a soft smile. "You all did real good today. Thanks for the update."

I grinned at him. "See you in a few," I said, and he winked and waved.

As he and Jai were walking away, I heard Jai say, "Thank you for thinking about George."

I didn't even have to see Ace shrug or hear his "He had a rough morning" to know Ace wasn't going to make a big thing out of his kindness.

"Do you really have enough chicken to fry?" Ernie asked.

I grunted. "I may need another flat," I admitted. "And frankly? Some help if I'm gonna finish that one car before the owners come back."

"Tell you what," Ernie said happily. "How about we have George mind the front, and I'll bring my big fryer over after my nap."

Oh Lord—I'd about forgotten Ernie's nap, which happened an hour earlier, usually. "You're doing good!" I said. "You're usually wiped out."

Ernie shrugged. "My gift didn't have much to do today," he said philosophically. "The humans took care of the bad shit."

"That's good," I said. "Not that I don't like your witchy stuff, Ernie, but it's good we don't put too much on your shoulders either."

"And this is why I make chicken for you all," Ernie said happily. "And maybe some pastries."

I glanced behind us as he pulled out and saw Ace and Jai disappearing into the Winnebago. "Think our friend's going to be eating with us?" I asked, and I wasn't consulting the gift, just making some nonwitchy predictions.

"Either that or I'm getting two more kittens," Ernie speculated. Just when I got what that might mean, he flashed a smile at me. "But I'm thinking I'll be putting on some more chicken."

I smiled. It was fine. I used to be freaked out about more people. Alba had about sent me into the stratosphere, but now I missed her. Jai had pissed me off at first, but now he was my best friend. I hadn't understood Ace's need for Burton in his life, but now I got the two of them as buddies. And God, not one of us would be sane without Ernie or George. Even George's friend Amal was welcome, although I think he'd probably be a little shocked at what Ace and Jai just did. Burton's boss was okay, though, and Cotton of course. I didn't find many people I wanted to take care of, but I figured Cotton was like Duke, or Ernie's kittens. You be kind to all of 'em and they'd smile at you, and the world would seem better.

Whoever this Christiansen guy was in the Winnebago, I suspected that if he survived the trip to Victoriana, he might be sticking around a bit.