Page 204 of Rangers Last Promise

“You told me Vance knew.”

“Vance worked directly for him. Kane saw him.”

“When?”

“The night Grant followed Kane to Site Seventeen.”

My pulse changes.

“You said Grant saw the Colonel.”

“He saw a man meeting Kane. Grant didn't know who he was.”

“But Kane did.”

“Yes.”

“Why didn't you tell me this earlier?”

“Because Daniel Kane is a dangerous son of a bitch who would sell his own mother if the price was right.”

Trigger raises a hand.

“He tried to sell Wolf once.”

Wolf turns.

“What?”

Trigger grins. “Poker game. Kabul.”

“That was not selling me.”

“You were collateral.”

“I was sitting beside you.”

“Kane was very persuasive.”

Despite myself, I remember.

A battered table.

Warm beer.

Kane announcing that Wolf’s watch, boots, and “general services” were part of the pot.

Wolf nearly threw him through a wall.

Grant laughed until he couldn't breathe.

The memory hits me unexpectedly.

Not painful.

Not entirely.

I almost smile.