Chapter Seventeen

Pappy led the four visitors to the housing in which the cable car sat. He could see that all four men were wary about setting foot inside the car. “I can control the car from here. Step inside and buckle the belts,” Pappy said coolly.

The man with the scrawny neck narrowed his eyes. “How do we know we’ll arrive safely at the bottom?”

“You don’t,” Pappy said. A tired smile worked at the corners of his mouth when the man stepped back. “It’s late, get aboard.”

“Why should we trust you?” the oldest of the group asked with a hard edge in his voice. He, too, was wary. Even in the dark night, Pappy could see the fear in his eyes.

Pappy shrugged. “Why should I trust you? This is called a stalemate, gentlemen. You’re wary of me, and I’m wary of you. You have money, I have expertise. If you were betting men, gentlemen, where would you put your money? By the way, that strange feeling you’re experiencing is called fear. It’s probably the first time in your lives you’ve felt the emotion. I, on the other hand, have lived with it all my life.”

The men stepped into the cable car. “Ready, gentlemen?” When there was no response, Pappy threw the switch, and the cable car started its descent.

At last, it was truly over. Pappy straightened his shoulders as he headed toward the compound. He settled himself on the bench next to his father. The moment he sat down, he fired up a cigarette. He looked down, expecting to see Alpha. His stomach curled itself into a knot.

“Did they like my dinner?” Kyros asked.

“They didn’t say. Do you care? It’s over. Seeing fear on old men’s faces is not a pleasant sight, Pop.”

“No, I don’t suppose it is. Are we safe here?”

“You know what, Pop, I don’t know. I tend to think we are, but there are no guarantees, as you know.” Pappy blew a perfect smoke ring and watched it sail off in the light evening breeze.

Father and son sat in comfortable silence, Kyros puffing on his pipe and Pappy chain-smoking.

Four cigarettes later, Pappy said, “I have to go off the mountain, Pop.”

Kyros stared off into the dark night. The cloud cover appeared to be moving on. Stars winked in the black sky. “I know, son. I’ll go with you. When?”

“By first light. I don’t see any sense in giving those guys an edge of any kind. I’ll need the rest of the evening to secure things here, then we’ll leave. The kennel master will keep an eye on things. You okay with this, Pop?”