Sky Pirates

Chapter 37

Parker Greene's eyes ached; his temples pounded and the pressure built inside his head. He checked the clock and realized he'd been reading plans for five hours straight. He stood from his desk and looked out the window at the green lawn and flowering trees. Parker put on his coat, found his hat, and headed out of his office, down the staircase, and out into the afternoon air. He breathed deep of the exotic floral scents.

He walked down the lane, nodding to those he encountered sitting on their grand porches, or under the shade of massive trees. These weren't common folk, but obvious elite with manners and grace. Everyone seemed calm and comfortable, even happy to be where they were. All of them must have answered the question correctly. What might they be offering to this land of pirates and thugs? Lord Greene chose not to engage any of these people in idle chatter, there was no way to know who he could trust. So he continuing his walk along the avenue, breathing deeply as he went, clearing his head of the clutter of gears, cogs, and spinning contraptions.

A little assistant in his head now worked, filing each plan into a cabinet or cupboard. Greene knew he could recall anything he desired easily as each puzzle piece was cataloged and filed in his magnificent brain. This certainly wasn't the most elegant analogy, but Parker had devised the method as a small child. It worked to clear his mind, so he'd kept it all these years. It dawned on him, as his heels clicked on the cobbled walk, that the little assistant in his mind didn't have a name.

"Lord Greene? Is it really you?"

Startled out of his thoughts, Parker looked up to find a tall, thin man he and his brother had served with more than a decade ago. "Rifle Helms!"

The two men started with a handshake that turned into a hearty hug with playful pounding of hands on backs, laughter, and camaraderie.

"What on earth are you doing here?" Greene asked as they lessened their grip on one another, but continued holding hands for a moment longer.

"The Rover was taken. Most of my men were killed."

"Your men?"

Rifle Helms smiled. "I'd been promoted to captain of the Rover after our last mission together." At the word "mission," Rifle looked around.

"Well, congratulations."

"I'm still not sure why they kept me alive or brought me here. Life has been good though for the past few years. Plenty of food. A nice home. Servants."

"So, you answered the question correctly."

Rifle searched Parker's face. "So did you."

Lord Greene understood the tone. They'd used those same inflections when they'd been captured by cannibals in Indonesia. "We should have supper together tonight."

"That would be wonderful. I'm sure your home is better equipped than my own. Shall we say eight?"

"Eight it is, Rifle." Parker couldn't contain himself and once again gave his tall friend a hearty bear hug.

"Can't breathe!" Helms spewed out.

As Greene released his grip the two men laughed in a comfortable, familiar way. It was obvious from Rifle's tone that Parker had found at least one person he could trust and count on. That was a start.

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