Free The Olympus Device: Book Three by Joe Nobody

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    Grace chanced one last glance into the rearview mirror, wanting to look her best for Dusty. It wasn’t vanity that motivated her desire, she told herself, brushing back a stray tress. No, it was her concern for his well-being. He’d appeared tired and worn down on the computer call, and she hoped a caring, friendly face would help bolster his spirits. She wanted to send a message, give him something to look forward to on the other side of what was sure to be a long and arduous process.
    She caught Mitch staring at her, the look on the professor’s face one of curiosity. “I think you truly love my brother,” he ventured. “And I’m glad.”
    Slightly embarrassed, she shrugged off his remark. “Love isn’t going to see us through all this,” she replied with a steady voice. “I want him to know bright, professional people are on his side. I want to instill confidence, and yes… admiration. He needs to know we care as much as he does. More than anything, Durham needs hope right now.”
    Mitch didn’t buy the diversion, “Whatever. There’s a woman standing in front of me who is in love with my brother and wants to look her best. I see nothing wrong with that.”
    For a brief moment, a rebuttal formed in her throat, but then she let it go. Mitch would never make it as a lawyer , she observed. He wears his emotions like an uncomfortable suit.
    They exited the rental car, stepping briskly toward the truck stop Dusty had indicated in his message. No sooner had they entered the front doors than Grace realized she was completely overdressed for the establishment. The scattering of rough-looking men inside reaffirmed her observation.
    Ignoring the multitude of grunts, barely concealed gawking, and one outright wolf whistle, the attorney plowed past the rows of snack food, heading for the section that housed the restaurant.
    When she spotted Dusty sitting in a nearby booth, she paused. So abruptly in fact, that Mitch couldn’t stop in time and bumped into her from behind. “Sorry,” he mumbled. But she didn’t hear the apology.
    Grace’s legs were working again, any anxiety regarding her fading dignity long past. The last few steps into Dusty’s now-waiting arms were practically a sprint.
    The couple embraced tightly, the tall, lanky Texan lifting her completely off the ground. Neither cared what the other diners thought of the display.
    “Oh my God, I’ve missed you,” Dusty whispered. “More than anything… I’m so glad you’re finally here.”
    “I know… I know,” she replied breathlessly. “I thought I might never hold you again.”
    Several moments passed, Mitch standing uncomfortably by, obviously unsure of what to do with himself. Then, with almost as much passion, the two brothers were locked in an equally emotional embrace.
    The two Weathers men eyed each other with a knowing gaze, simultaneously arriving at the same conclusion. “You look like shit,” they both announced at the same time, and then everyone was laughing.
    If the waitress or anyone else knew what was inside the case Dusty always kept at his side, they didn’t let on. Grace, however, couldn’t take her eyes off of the thing that had caused such trauma in all of their lives. While the apron-clad woman jotted down their orders for coffee, toast, and eggs, the attorney’s stare bore into the enclosed rail gun, almost as if its proximity were a harbinger of doom and gloom.
    “I should have let you destroy that thing when we had the chance,” she stated, trying her best to eliminate the venom from her voice, but failing miserably.
    The kindness never faded from Dusty’s expression. He understood, having already experienced the same internal debate a thousand times. “It’s only a thing , Grace, hunks of metal and wire. If all this drama works out as we hope, the struggle will all have been worth it. If not, I can still throw this thing into a trash truck. We’ll cheer while the workers crush it into scrap.”
    Mitch,