Trex laughed, and Sloan, Kitsch, Martinez and Harbinger chuckled behind him. She let him go only to hug the other four.

“You shouldn’t be here,” she said to Harbinger.

“You think Caroline would want it any other way?” he asked.

“I was supposed to tell you as soon as possible. The Alpines send hugs and kisses.”

“Do they know?” I asked.

Trex glanced at Naomi. “They know you had a procedure and you’re here with Naomi while you heal, and probably for the foreseeable future.”

I nodded. “That’s all they need to know.”

Someone from the gate yelled, signaling the arrival of the caravan. Vincent and Foley climbed up.

“Morning, Vincent,” Peter’s voice came over a megaphone.

“Senator Bennett,” Vincent said. “Lovely to see you, as always.”

“You know why I’m here. I’m afraid you have someone who happens to be property of the United States Department of Defense.”

“And who might that be?” Vincent asked.

“Zeke Lund,” Peter said without hesitation. “We know he’s here. If you’d kindly turn him over, we’ll turn around and be on our way.”

“He is indeed here,” Vincent said. “He won’t, however, be traveling back with you today. You see, he’s had several illegal medical procedures, and he’s healing inside our impenetrable compound. As a citizen of the United States, it’s the priority of the Arizona Border Recon Militia that Mr. Lund’s rights are upheld, and as such, you’ll be turning your sissy ass around and headin’ on back to your desk job.”

“Impenetrable? You may have noticed, Vincent, that I didn’t come alone,” Peter said, amused.

Vincent seemed unimpressed. “You know what I don’t see? Tanks. That’s the only thing getting you inside these walls.”

“Send him out, open your gates, or become an enemy of the United States, Vincent. Militia laws don’t cover that.”

Vincent smiled and chewed his cigar. “Do what you will, Senator.”

“Don’t be a fool, Vincent! Your daughter’s behind those walls!” Peter yelled, his voice cracking.

Naomi climbed up, standing next to her father. Peter was surprised for just a few seconds before starting to speak, but Trex, Sloan, Martinez, Kitsch and Harbinger joined them, and I followed suit.

“Come out, Zeke,” Peter said, his voice calm. “You don’t want anyone dying for you, do you? Come back and finish your contract. Simple as that.”

Naomi took a step in front of me. “He’s staying.”

“We’ll come in and get him if we have to, Naomi. Don’t make me do this,” Peter said. “Because I will.”

“Don’t make me shoot you in the face,” Naomi said. “Because I will.”

“You’re not serious,” he said.

She cocked her sidearm, but kept it pointed at the ground. “Try me.”

“You’ll all be arrested!” Peter yelled, waving his arm around.