Honey and Smoke by Deborah Smith

Author:Deborah Smith [Smith, Deborah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-79667-7
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2011-06-14T16:00:00+00:00

Seven

The black limousine purred up the hill as Max was lowering his flag for the day. He halted, amazed. In Webster Springs limousines were about as common as dinosaurs. A limosaur, that’s what this was, he thought drolly. While it climbed toward his home, he felt a premonition of trouble, which he quickly attributed to his bad mood. But for an Instant when the car paused at the top of the driveway, it caught the rays of the setting sun, its black sides flashing blood red, and Max, frowning, walked forward.

The car stopped at the edge of his lawn. A chauffeur got out, nodding a silent hello. The passenger opened a rear door before the chauffeur reached it, and Max knew the visitor’s identity the moment he glimpsed a lion’s mane of white hair.

T. S. Audubon. He had probably planned his arrival to coincide with the sunset’s drama. Audubon loved to make an entrance.

He unfolded his tall, elegantly lean body from the limousine’s seat and flashed a pleasant smile at Max. “Major, how nice to find you at home,” he said in his aristocratic, tidewater Virginia accent as he extended a hand.

Max grasped it heartily, and respect flowed between them as they traded shrewd assessments. “No style, as usual,” he told Audubon, Indicating Audubon’s flawless black suit, which was double-breasted, very tasteful, and undoubtedly very expensive.

Audubon laughed. “Are you wearing the flag these days? I admire your patriotism, but it clashes with your sweat suit.”

Smiling ruefully, Max removed the flag from his shoulder. “It’s not my new uniform. I’m a civilian now, body and soul. Retired from the glory.”

“Ah, Major. You may have left the marines, but you’ll never retire. You and I are alike—we’ve spent too many years battling the shadows, and now we have trouble appreciating the light.” Audubon shrugged gracefully. “We’re too old to change our ways.”

Max arched a brow. Audubon wasn’t much older then he, despite the white hair. They had met in Vietnam, though Audubon had been in the army, not the marines. Audubon had actually dropped out of college to enlist; he was one of the idealistic types, a poet and philosopher. But he had also been a fighter, and a top-notch sergeant. Behind his back his men had called him Ashley Wilkes, but with affection.

Audubon had never lost his idealism, his toughness, or his taste for adventure. His path had crossed Max’s many times over the years.

“Let me guess,” Max said casually. “You were just in the neighborhood and you decided to drop by for a cup of tea.”

“Precisely. But I really can’t stay long. I’m due back in Virginia before midnight.”

“Business or pleasure?”

“Who can tell the difference anymore? But she’s beautiful, so perhaps—”

Max laughed. “I wouldn’t want you to miss a hot date, old boy. Come and have a spot of tea.”

Audubon didn’t discuss the real intent of his visit until he was standing in front of the fireplace in Max’s living room with a glass of cognac in one hand. Max lounged on the couch with his own glass.

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