Free Edge of Dawn by Melinda Snodgrass Page B

doors slid open, and a blast of dry, oven-hot air slapped him in the face. August in New Mexico. The sun glowed like a brass coin, its rays highlighting the cones of the distant extinct volcanoes. The Mercedes limo was at the curb with Joseph behind the wheel and Estevan standing next to the back passenger door. To Richard’s eyes, the bulge of the shoulder rig under the young man’s coat was painfully obvious.
    When did I become the guy who travels in limousines and has bodyguards? Do I like it? Not sure.
    Estevan grinned at him. “Hey, welcome home, Richard.”
    â€œThanks,” he said as he stepped into the car. “But it’s a quick trip.”
    â€œHow was the flight?” Joseph asked, glancing at him in the rearview mirror.
    â€œOkay. Bit of a flying cattle car, and I do wish people didn’t think traveling in sweatpants or shorts was okay. I’m not asking for hat and gloves, but some of them look like they just rolled out of bed.” The two men laughed, and they pulled away from the curb. “Is Cross at headquarters?”
    â€œWasn’t there when I left, but he can turn up pretty fast,” Joseph said.
    â€œThat he can,” Richard said, thinking of the creature’s abilities.
    â€œAre you hungry? Shall we stop for dinner?” Joseph asked.
    â€œI’m okay,” Richard said.
    This time Joseph actually looked back over his shoulder. The setting sun made his dark skin glow and brought out the gray flecks sprinkled through the black of his hair. “Okay, but I’m going to tell Franz you haven’t eaten and have him fix something.”
    â€œI hate to have him cook another meal.”
    â€œThat’s his job, and you have a tendency to forget to eat. You can only run on nerves and adrenaline for so long.”
    â€œYes, Papa,” he murmured meekly.
    â€œDon’t try smarting back to me. I am old enough to be your father,” Joseph said in the cadence of his South Carolina upbringing.
    â€œWish you were,” Richard said under his breath, and he firmly pushed aside any thoughts of his real father.
    Once back at headquarters, Richard headed upstairs. He wondered if he should call Pamela and let her know he was back for a flying visit, but then decided he’d let her have her evening. There were no lights on in the penthouse. Richard turned on a graceful torch è re, revealing the treasures that casually filled the living room and found Cross waiting. This time he had a giant piece of carrot cake on a plate. He crammed in a bite and mumbled, “Hey, got your message. What’s up?”
    â€œBad stuff,” Richard said, and elaborated. Cross listened without comment, just gobbled cake.
    â€œSo you want me to check out the computer and see if there’s magical shit going on?”
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œWhen do you want to do this?”
    â€œTonight if possible.” Richard scanned the ratty figure critically. “It’s probably better if we don’t go in during normal business hours.”
    Cross shrugged. “They’ll just think I’m a snitch.”
    â€œOr a homeless guy looking to use the bathroom,” Richard countered. He went to a phone and called the number Jay had provided.
    â€œYeah?” Like many law enforcement types, Jay wasn’t big on social niceties.
    â€œIt’s Richard. Can we get in tonight?”
    â€œSure. What time is it now?”
    â€œLittle after eight,” Richard answered.
    â€œHow about we meet at the office at nine thirty?”
    â€œWorks for me.”
    â€œUm…” Richard waited, wondering what the agent was about to add. “Which form is Cross gonna be in?” Jay asked, sounding worried.
    â€œHomeless guy.”
    The relief was evident in Jay’s voice. “Oh, good. I was afraid he’d look like he did in Virginia. That was … scary.”
    Richard glanced over at Cross just finishing off the