Donny shrugged. “I have people who will know if he can be found. Family and friends, fellow fighters. But I can already tell they don’t know. Especially since none of them are answering my calls.”

“Maybe I can help.”

Donny looked at her. She was serious.

“Grandma, you’re too sick to work on my stupid cases.”

“Might take my mind off the pain,” she said, rubbing her left collarbone. “Focus it on someone else’s pain. Do you know any better lawyers?”

“No.” It was true. There was one who was as good, but that was why they killed him. And when that happened, the only other one he would put on that list gave up the law for politics. He wouldn’t wish either outcome for his grandma. “I wish I could take your help. God knows I have enough on my plate.”

“What else?”

“Well, I’m supposed to be back in federal court in Houston week after next. Hearing on a motion for a new trial. A woman who got locked up before the uprising and should have been released as part of the amnesty.”

“Good luck. They aren’t wasting any time rolling back the clock.”

“Depends on the court. And the judge.”

“Who’d you get?”

“Broyles.”

“Great.”

“He’s actually mellowed.”

“It’s your mother’s influence.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“You always wanted an evil stepfather.”

“Very funny, Grandma.”

“Have you talked to her lately?”

“Not in a long time.”

“She really went all-in, didn’t she?”

Donny nodded. He had seen politics drive people to violence, but somehow losing a loved one over it was harder. That she had shacked up with Donny’s mentor-turned-nemesis Judge Broyles added a layer of uncomfortable weirdness.

“I miss her.”

“So call her.”

“Not yet. I’m too busy to mess with that drama right now.”

Grandma Carol nodded. Then she groaned and rubbed herself along the left side of the ribs. “You’d think with these edibles having been legal this long they could at least figure out a way to get them to kick in earlier.”

“FDA won’t let them.”

“I’m surprised. I heard it’s now the USA’s number-one export. Which kind of makes sense.”

“Marijuana Republic.”

“Exactly. I hear they’re about to tear down that old mall down there and build a brand-new greenhouse. Partly owned by the state.”

“How convenient for you.”

“Right?” she said. “They keep calling wanting to buy this place, but I told them we’re staying.”

Donny sank inside, but evaded the topic. “Maybe if they can get everyone high, we’ll be able to keep the peace for a while.”

“I couldn’t sleep last night and turned on the TV and they had a bunch of Dutch soldiers evacuating from South Carolina, headed home. Blue helmets off, back to orange.”

“I can’t believe they think it’s safe to go.”