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He called ahead and reserved a rental car at Austin By noon, he alking up the steps at Espada The housekeeper opened the door and smiled broadly

“Mr Graham, how nice to see you”

He’d given up trying to convince her to drop the “mister” years back, and he was in no mood to take up the battle today

“Hello, Carmen Is the old man in?”

“Yes, certainly He’s on the deck Come in, please I’ll tell him you’re here”

“I’ll tell him myself”

Gray brushed past her, went through the house and out to the waterfall deck His uncle was lying on a chaise longue, eyes closed, a light blanket drawn over him despite the warer that had been building inside Gray toward the old an to fade

He sighed, sat down to wait, but Jonas must have sensed his presence because he opened his eyes

“Graham?”

“Yes Hello, Jonas I guess I should have phoned to tell you I was co”

“Why? You afraid I hed and sat up “Good to see you What brings you to Espada?”

“You sent e, remember?”

“Carmen?” Jonas’s voice cracked, but it had the salared at Gray “‘Course I reone bad, not my brain I take it you found her”

“Yes”

“Good, good You want somethin’ to cool your throat? Beer? Bourbon?” Jonas made a face as the housekeeper poked her head out the door “Not that she’ll let one for the day Ain’t that right, Carmen?”