“Which way?”

“Huh?”

“Your nearest neighbors. Where do they live?”

“Down the road, back toward town. First turnout to the left.”

“What’s their name?”

“Raferty. Lee and Maxine Raferty. He’s a retired Navy man.” Loren took Pitt’s hand in hers and pressed tightly. “Why all the questions?”

“Curiosity, nothing more.” He lifted her hand and kissed it. “I’ll see you in time for that fattening dinner.” Then he turned and began jogging down the road.

“Aren’t you going fishing?” she called after him.

“Always hated the sport.”

“Don’t you want the Jeep?”

“The nature hike was your idea, remember?” he yelled over his shoulder.

Loren watched until Pitt disappeared through a clump of lodgepole pines before she shook her head at the incomprehensible whims of men and ran back inside the cabin to escape the early-fall chill.

Maxine Raferty had the look of the West about her. She was heavyset and wore a loose print dress, rimless glasses, and a net over her bluish-silver hair. She sat bundled up on the front porch of a cedar cabin, reading a paperback mystery. Lee Raferty, a string bean of a man, was down on his haunches, greasing the front-axle bearings of a battered old International flatbed truck, when Pitt trotted up and greeted them.

20 VIXEN 03p>

“Good afternoon.”

Lee Raferty removed an unlit, well-chewed cigar stub from his mouth and nodded. “Hello there.”

“Nice day for exercise,” said Maxine, scrutinizing Pitt over the top of • her book. j

“The cool breeze helps,” said Pitt. i

The friendliness was there in their faces, but so was the backcountry wariness of strangers who trespassed, especially strangers who wore the look of the city. Lee wiped his hands on a greasy rag and approached Pitt.

“Can I help you with somethin’?” “You can if you’re Lee and Maxine Raferty.” That brought Maxine out of her chair. “We’re the Rafertys.” “My name is Dirk Pitt. I’m a guest of Loren Smith, down the road.” The uneasy expressions were replaced with broad smiles. “Little Loren Smith. Of course,” Maxine said, beaming. “We’re all pretty proud of her around these parts, what with her representing us in Washington and all.”

“I thought perhaps you might give me some information concerning the area.”

“Be glad to,” replied Lee.

“Don’t stand there like a tree,” Maxine said to her husband. “Get the man something to drink. He looks thirsty.”

“Sure, how about a beer?”

“Sounds good,” Pitt said, smiling.

Maxine opened the front door and hustled Pitt through. “You’ll stay for lunch.” It was more a command than a request and Pitt had no out but to shrug in acquiescence.