King and Maxwell (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 6)

“Dad, Dad!”

Tyler came rushing into the clearing and then pulled up short when he saw Sean.

“What are you doing here?”

“Trying to talk your dad out of shooting me.”

Tyler looked around, “Dad? Dad, are you here?”

Sean knew why Wingo was hesitating. “If you come out I’ll have my partner come out too, Wingo. We are here to help.”

Tyler added, “They are, Dad. They’ve really been helping.”

A few moments later Michelle appeared at the edge of the clearing, her sniper rifle pointed down.

Sam Wingo saw this and slowly stepped clear of the oak. They all stared at each other.

Sean said, “Uh, you might want to hug your son, Sam, just to prove to him you’re not a ghost.”

Father and son eyed each other for what seemed an impossibly long moment. Then Wingo holstered his gun and spread his arms wide. Tyler rushed to him. The two hugged for a long time. Tears ran down both the Wingos’ faces.

Michelle drew closer to Sean and said quietly, “This whole thing just got very complicated.”

He nodded. “That’s the face of a guy who got set up and doesn’t know what the hell is going on.”

“Which means he may not know any more than we do.”

“Maybe, maybe not. But now we can at least ask him.”

Wingo finally stopped hugging his son, but kept one arm protectively around his shoulders. He wiped his face of the tears while an embarrassed Tyler did the same. Wingo walked toward Sean and Michelle.

“How did you two get involved in all this?”

“Just saw your kid running down the street one dark and stormy night after the Army told him you were dead,” said Michelle. “Total coincidence.”

Wingo slowly nodded. “I appreciate your not shooting me when I came out from cover.”

“And I appreciate your not shooting me,” said Sean.

“Dad, you look… different,” noted Tyler.

Wingo rubbed his shaved head and new beard and said, “Have to when people are looking for you.”

“What people?” asked Sean.

“Good question,” shot back Wingo.

“Your people?” asked Michelle. “The military? You’ve apparently created a huge buzz at the Pentagon and the White House.”

“Wasn’t supposed to go down like that.”

“How then?”

“Classified.”

Sean looked disappointed. “After all you’ve been through you’re going to pull the classified crap?”

“Look, I could be court-martialed for discussing any of this with you.”