Part 12 (1/2)

”Well, yeah, but in a nice rustic way.”

Joey turned and mounted the steps. Annja followed, and as she did so the front door opened, letting out a wash of light onto the porch. Backlit, Annja could just make out the form of a man in a wheelchair waving them in.

Joey bent and hugged his grandfather. ”Grandpa.”

”Creeping Wolf,” the old man said. ”I see you've been busy tonight.”

Joey nodded and stepped back, letting Annja into the house. ”This is Annja Creed. She needs your help.”

”About the woman?”

Joey nodded.

Annja frowned. ”How does he know that?”

Joey shrugged. ”I told him.”

”When?”

”When I took a second to contact him.”

Annja frowned. ”Telepathy?”

Joey's grandfather coughed and waved his hand. ”You see? Everyone tries to rationalize everything. That's the problem with people these days.” He motioned to Annja. ”Come in and sit by the fire. You look cold.”

Annja walked inside and saw that the interior was much nicer than the exterior had led her to believe. A large stone fireplace occupied the central place in the living room. Beautiful, intricate Native American tapestries hung from the walls. The floor was covered in a thick rug that looked like bearskin, although she couldn't be sure.

She chose the threadbare recliner to sit in and marveled at how comfortable it was. Her spine relaxed into it and the cus.h.i.+ons adjusted perfectly to her frame.

Joey's grandfather smiled. ”Comfy chair, ain't it?”

”Very.”

The old man wheeled himself over to the fire. In the twinkling light, Annja could see the wrinkled skin that looked like aged leather. His beard was almost entirely white and hung about two inches below his chin.

He spun around then and eyed her closely. After a moment he smiled. ”You may call me Dancing Deer.”

Annja frowned. The name simply didn't fit, given the old man's condition. Had it been some sort of cruel joke that someone had given him that name?

Dancing Deer merely smiled. ”I wasn't always like this. In my youth, I ran through the woods with the joy of a deer that has just found its strength. Even now, the soul of a mighty buck beats within my chest. Legs aside, I am still a mighty warrior.”

Annja bowed her head. ”I'm honored to meet you. I've heard a great deal about you from Creeping Wolf.”

Dancing Deer nodded. ”My grandson is a credit to his people. And he's a fine scout in his own right. He has a lot to learn still, but I can see that he has been very useful to you already.”

”And I'm hoping you can be just as useful,” Annja said. ”I need your help to find my friend, Jenny.”

Dancing Deer nodded gravely. ”I can see that. The concern you have for your friend is evident on your face. It troubles your spirit greatly.”

”If something should happen to her, it would be my burden,” Annja said. ”I do not wish for any harm to come to her.”