THE KILLER ANGEL : Book Three "Journey" (THE KILLER ANGEL TRILOGY 3) Read Free

hydration pack; and – of course – my guns, all cleaned, oiled, loaded and precisely positioned for quick access. Finally, a good stretch and I was ready for action.
    Our original goals had always been twofold: To return Brick to a hopefully healthy family in South Dakota; and for me to locate my family and Kip’s father in Florida, with the further objective of bringing them back with me to Hedley, Oregon.
    In spite of the extreme distances and time required to accomplish those tasks, a greater urgency was placed upon us when we received a startling radio transmission from Kip’s father, Marshall Kellogg, to my twin sister Scottie Redstone in Florida, the contents and tone of which revealed extreme stress, and demanded action on our parts without further delay.
    Brick, Ben and I regretfully departed Hedley shortly thereafter, without the power and presence of my Kip, due to the long rehabilitation required for injuries he had recently suffered.
    The wide open spaces made the use of mountain bikes an effective and safe means of travel, with Ben often enjoying the ride in a comfortable cargo trailer, allitems having been easily acquired at a large bicycle enthusiasts store. The best of everything was available for the taking.
    Epic distances notwithstanding, Idaho and Montana provided surprisingly pleasant and relatively smooth navigation. On the long slopes of some highways we occasionally were still able to find vehicles with enough air in the tires to enable comfortable, rapid downhill movement in neutral gear, with our equipment easily thrown in back. Starting any engine was impossible, of course. Even if a battery had any juice, the old gasoline had long gone bad and gummed up engine parts and fouled every necessary component. Still, with the windows down, one could remember how relatively easy life had been, not so very long ago.
Ahhh...nice!

    “I’m thinking of quitting the rescue business,” I announced to Brick one morning as we cruised down an especially long, slow incline, with Brick behind the wheel.
    “Hrammmm...
Nicki Redstone retires
. No, I don’t see it,” Brick responded. “It wouldn’t be ‘Nicki Redstone and Brick’ anymore, just ‘Brick’...that doesn’t sound good. It’s BRICK...huh? What the hell?” Brick was always good at dealing with my humor.
    “No, I’m not liking this idea; it’s very unpleasant to me. Retirement application rejected.”
    “I’m thinking about returning to the biz...I was an actor, you know, fairly successful, too.”
    “Hah, yes, acting, so I have heard and believe.” Brick smiled and glanced at me as he put his arm out stiffly to signal a lane change, never missing a chance for a chuckle. “Besides you and Kip, I’ve met only one other actor, and he was chewing on my arm, so to be honest, my feelings are mixed. Besides, given your resume, you would only be allowed in action movies. ‘Might as well do what you do best.”
    “Je ne sais quoi.”
I said. “What would that be?”
    “Kill runners and save the world.” Brick said nonchalantly.
    As the incline depleted itself, our vehicle slowed to a stop. We sat briefly in contemplation and surveyed the calm, dry landscape. I popped the shells off of pistachio nuts, my favorite snack, passed a few to Brick, and then gave Ben a milk bone. A gentle breeze cooled my cheek. Chilly weather seemed to increase sensation in my scar.
    “Brick,” I said slowly, lightly confirming the position of my rifle’s safety switch as we munched. “I fear that, one day, I will not stop. The edge of... out of control fury... of insane rage... is close for me...sometimes. You don’t feel this?”
    Brick paused and looked at me with his wise, brown eyes,
“Non, mon ami
, I do not. You have enough for both of us. Your rage is your strength, even though you fear it unleashed. I know your soul and I haveheard your vow. I am guided by it and by you. I am here with you, Nicki...always.”

    The one superior quality that I