AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Kujo frowned. “What do you mean…work in progress?”
Hank sighed. “Not only has he lost a leg, he’s lost his way.”
Kujo’s eyes narrowed. “I can understand. I was at my lowest when you offered me a job. If it hadn’t been for you and the Brotherhood Protectors…” Kujo shook his head, his hand going automatically to Six’s head.
The dog nuzzled his fingers, sensing his handler’s emotions.
“I figured you of all people would see where I’m going with this. And you’re from Colorado. You’ll appreciate going back.”
Kujo ran a hand over Six’s smooth, sable head. “You saved my life, and Six’s, not long ago,” Kujo said quietly.
“You and Six were worth saving. And so is Jake Cogburn.”
Kujo’s eyes widened. “Jake ‘The Cog’ Cogburn?”
Hank nodded again. “He’s in a bad way, from what I hear.”
“Like I was when you found me and made me rescue Six?”
“Exactly. I figured you’d have a better connection with the SEAL.”
Kujo drew in a deep breath. “He has to be ready to make the change.”
Hank laughed. “And you were?”
Kujo grinned. “I wasn’t. But you were convincing. And knowing Six would be euthanized if I didn’t go to him, motivated me.”
“Cog needs someone to motivate him,” Hank said. “He needs a purpose. He needs to know he’s still relevant in this world.”
“And you think I’m the man to pull him up by his bootstraps?” Kujo shook his head. “I don’t know. Might take more than the few weeks I can give to the job.”
Hank clapped Kujo on the back. “I’ve seen your work. I know you can handle it.”
“And you want me to set up a new office for the Brotherhood Protectors?” Kujo shook his head. “That, in itself, will take some time. I’ll have to find a building to rent or purchase and equip it with all the infrastructure needed.” He waved his hand at Hank’s basement. “This takes time.”
“I have a connection near Colorado Springs.” Hank turned and walked away. “He’s a former Marine gunnery sergeant running a dude ranch near a small town called Fool’s Gold, which is located outside of Colorado Springs.” He touched several keys on a computer keyboard, and an image popped up on a screen.
Kujo looked over Hank’s shoulder to view a map on the monitor.
“I think Gunny Tate’s ranch has everything we need to set up shop. Great location, private enough and they need the money we’d pay in rent. It’s a win-win situation. Besides, the ranch will give us the cover we need to run our operations without detection.”
“Kind of like what you have here.” Kujo nodded. “We’re just a bunch of ranch hands, until we’re given an assignment.”
“Exactly.” Hank’s grin widened. “Gunny Tate is a character. He raised his only child singlehandedly after his wife died in childbirth. I believe that child is grown now and working the dude ranch with him. Gunny is a blustery curmudgeon with a heart of gold. Met him at McP’s a million years ago after BUD/S training. His team was celebrating his transfer to a recruiting command in Colorado. He’s been in Colorado ever since.”
“Recruiting command?” Kujo’s brows rose. “Who’d he piss off?”
Hank shook his head. “He opted to go into recruiting to end his career in a place of his choice. Being a single father raising a child, when he could be deployed at a moment’s notice, wore on him. He wanted to slow down and give the child a steady home to grow up in.”
“Boy or girl?” Kujo asked.
Hank grinned. “Name’s Rucker. Trust Gunny to give him a tough name. I can only assume he’s a boy. I never had the pleasure of meeting him.”
Kujo drew in a deep breath, let it out and clapped his hands together. “When do you want me to go? This week? Next week? You name it.”
Hank picked up a sheet of paper off the printer beside the monitor. “Your plane leaves at six in the morning from Bozeman and arrives in Colorado Springs before noon. That should give you plenty of time to find the town of Fool’s Gold and Lost Valley Ranch. Gunny is expecting you and will take you to where Cogburn is holed up.”
Kujo leaned his head toward the German Shepherd lying patiently at his feet. “What about Six?”
