As pretty as the subtropical brush surrounding Hitch's street was, it was a bit of a pain to traverse through. Dietrich and Hitch traversed through the dense greenery when the collie decided to disappear into it. The dog never strayed too far that the men would lose it, but it also never stayed close enough for them to physically catch it.

"Have you seen this dog before?" Dietrich asked.

"A couple of times. I started seeing it about a day or two after that nurse confronted me in my parents' garden," Hitch replied.

"Strange."

"I mean, it could be a coincidence."

"Possibly, but you know my feelings on coincidences."

Hitch nodded. "Yeah. Still… this feels like it could be it, but we also don't know enough to say for sure."

"No. It could merely be a curious dog that got loose after the nurse confronted you. You do live near a major city, with lots of people and lots of dogs as well. But, like you said, maybe it is trying to tell us something."

The collie led them all the way through the woods to a secluded beach overlooking the Atlantic. Dietrich would have paused to take in the lovely view for a moment if he wasn't focused on the collie.

"Gators aren't particularly common around here, but they show up," Hitch said. "I'd rather find that dog before a gator does."

"Charming," Dietrich muttered. "Is this beach where you and Molly were just walking?"

"No. The path we were on leads to a beach further north. This one, despite being closer to the house, isn't one we're comfortable bringing the kids to. The rips are bad, but what's nice about this beach is that it and the hill we're on keep us safe from storm surges whenever hurricanes come up this way. It's a nice big barrier. Kept Molly's granddad's house safe for over a hundred years."

"Fascinating."

"Did I tell you that's one of the things I've been doing lately? Helping build new houses and businesses to better withstand hurricanes?"

"This is the first I am hearing of it."

"Yeah. I'll have to tell you about it later. Look." Hitch pointed to where the collie had dashed out to where the tide was keeping the sand soft and wet. The dog paused to look around, then turned to where Dietrich and Hitch were hidden in the bushes.

"Are we glad Moffitt is not here?" Dietrich asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah." Hitch laughed. "He'd be grumbling that the dog is going to get wet and turn the whole beach into a giant stink bomb."

"On one hand, I doubt he is that dramatic, but on the other…"

"We've told you the story about what was happening on our side with the little red dog when Sarge had us steal that tank. Never seen Moffitt get so grumpy about anything like that before."

"Wet dog is certainly no petunia, but have you ever smelled Limburger cheese?"

"No."

"It is among the worst things anyone could possibly smell, but it is, remarkably, a delicacy in some parts of Europe."

"I bet Moffitt would still think dog is worse."

Dietrich shrugged. "I will bring Moffitt to a local market the next time he visits and question him on that."

The two watched the dog for a moment. When it didn't move, they crept out of the bushes, glancing around before heading down to where it was sitting on the beach. This time, it didn't move. Hitch's greeting of the collie was enthusiastic. Dietrich had a little more confidence in his ability to handle dogs compared to handling toddlers, but it was still strange to him. The collie was equally happy to see them, but didn't jump on them, which Dietrich greatly appreciated.

Hitch felt around the collie's neck. "No collar, but it's very well-mannered."

"I doubt a dog like this is feral or a stray," Dietrich said.

"Yeah. I haven't seen any 'lost dog' signs. Geez, I hope this poor guy wasn't dumped by someone. Where'd you come from?" Hitch smirked while petting the collie's head. "Huh? Where'd you come from? What're you doing out here by yourself?" He looked up at Dietrich. "I might keep him."

"I cannot say that is a surprise," Dietrich said. "At least you are not getting yourself shot over a dog this time."

"No. Well—" Hitch glanced around, "Hopefully not." He looked at the dog. "You didn't lead us into a trap, did you?"

Dietrich looked around as well. "I see nothing out of the ordinary. Frankly, I would hope this dog is not tied to whatever scheme your angry nurse has cooked up."

"No. Then Moffitt would never let us hear the end of it."

"Certainly not." Dietrich sighed. "And he would be especially disappointed in me because he thinks I am 'too intelligent to be ensnared by the deceitful wiles of such a creature.'"

Hitch raised an eyebrow. "What the heck did dogs ever do to Moffitt?"

Dietrich shrugged again. "Good question." He crouched to get on the collie's eye level. "The other question is what your purpose is here. You clearly wanted us to follow you, but are you friend or foe?"

"Aw, there's no way he's foe," Hitch said.

Dietrich gave him a look, and heaved a sigh. Why am I always the one who has to be the voice of reason?

The collie pulled away from Hitch's affection to nuzzle Dietrich's face and give him a couple of licks. The skinny German's response was to pat the dog's head, and continue wondering how—or if—all of this fit together.

The next hour of following the collie around didn't yield anything of substance, but it did leave Dietrich with a curious feeling. The dog clearly wanted something from them, but it wasn't an animal of the talking variety, like Anah. It was hard to tell what exactly it wanted, especially since it didn't lead them to any clues.

Hitch invited Dietrich to stay for dinner. Dietrich was a bit hesitant due to the earlier incident with Zach and the apple peel, but he agreed out of politeness—and the fact that Molly was making a chocolate pie. While Hitch was out in the backyard, laying some homemade burgers on the grill, Dietrich assisted Molly in the kitchen, enjoying iced peach tea in the process.

"It's really nice having you over, Hans," Molly said while sliding a tray of sliced potatoes in the oven.

"I am not exactly the most entertaining guest," Dietrich replied.

"That's alright. With two little ones, it's nice to have quiet."

"I wish this was under better circumstances, though." Dietrich glanced at Molly after setting his empty glass on the counter by the sink. "I… do not wish to pry, but I never asked how you have been feeling about this."

"Me? I've been alright. I'm a bit worried about whoever this woman is coming after me and the babies, but I know Mark wouldn't let anything happen."

"You have a lot of faith in him."

"Of course I do. I get why his parents are upset, but the time to be angry has long passed. Mark moved on. I was taught growing up to give people a second chance when they really want it and seem serious about it. I saw, first-hand, how Mark was at Wake Forest. He asked out just about every girl except for me. I wasn't pretty enough, he once said."

"He mentioned that to me when he visited, asking for advice. He had made it clear that he was determined for a relationship with you to work."

"I really hoped he was serious and that he wasn't just playing around like before. Love is supposed to be special, you know. It's not something you can just enjoy for a night like a cheap sandwich and fries. I made that clear on our first date and he said he promised he changed. I said, 'You better keep that promise. Don't go flinging that word around if you're not going to mean it.' I'll admit… I was a little aloof in the beginning, because I wasn't sure if I should believe him or not. I think he could see that. He said one day that he was going to Germany and I said, 'What on Earth are you going to Germany for?' He told me he had a friend that he wanted to talk to about doing something special for me." Molly sighed. "I said, 'Okay,' but deep down I wasn't sure I believed it. Not until he came back and things really started to change in the best way possible." She smiled up at Dietrich. "Little did I know, that friend was you."

"I cannot take credit for that. Hitch was the one who actually applied my advice." Dietrich looked out the window, watching Hitch tending the grill. "We all grow and change, whether it is simply with the passage of time or due to a sudden shift."

Molly nodded in agreement. "We just got married when he went to Korea. I remember when Mark came home, he was shaken up, mostly by what happened to Sam. He felt so guilty about it. There were a lot of nights where he just couldn't sleep, and I stayed up with him, no matter how late it got. He's told me several times how much he appreciated that."

Dietrich thought for a moment. "Perhaps, if you do not mind, you could accompany us to his parents' to give them your testimony."

"I should. I don't want to see them fall apart. I'm also interested in finding out who struck my husband with a purse. Nobody's going to do that and just get away with it." Molly opened the refrigerator. "More iced tea, Hans?"

"Sure. Thank you." Dietrich handed Molly his glass. "Do you need anything? Does the baby—"

"She should be asleep," Molly said. "You can check on her if you like, just don't wake her."

Dietrich nodded before going over to the rocking cradle that Molly had set up in the living room. He stood over Carolyn, strongly resisting the urge to pick the sleeping infant up. "Like I said earlier, you are so cute that I would take you home if I could," he whispered.

"She has that effect on people," Molly said. "Zach, too, when he was that age." She grinned at Dietrich. "You have that look, Hans."

"Excuse me?"

"You want kids of your own, don't you?"

Dietrich sighed. "Yes, but there is a lot I must sort out first. Then there is finding someone to love, and I… I have a lot that must be acknowledged and accepted." He found himself wanting to cover his wrists, which he typically did by wearing a light jacket or gloves. He neglected to bring either, as his focus had been on helping Irena instead of his own issues. He put his hands in his pockets, keeping his wrists pressed against his legs. "Things have gotten better, compared to eight years ago, when it seemed I hit the bottom of the abyss. I might be happy now, with helping you take care of Carolyn, but that might not be the case tomorrow. Sometimes, I can feel it—depression—creeping up on me slowly. Other times, it hits me like a train. How can I take care of a child when… when taking care of myself can become difficult?"

Molly nodded, then gently squeezed Dietrich's arm. "You need someone who'll be understanding of that. I think you'll find her, someday. Shauna's told me you're sweet as pie and a complete gentleman. A good listener, too. A lot of ladies would flock to you for that. I think only the one who can give you the same in return is the right one for you."

"Precisely. I will maintain hope that there is someone out there for me. For now, I will continue trying to have some degree of control over my depression."

They both turned when a bright light appeared outside, and saw a fireball had erupted from the grill, with Hitch narrowly avoiding it. Molly sighed before opening the window and calling, "Do be careful, Mark! Don't singe your eyebrows off again!"

Dietrich frowned. "'Again?'"

"Yes. Again. It happened last spring when he got the grill out from winter storage."

"Oh." This is the type of thing we would all rather worry about. Dietrich kept his thoughts to himself, and took a sip of his iced tea.

When they sat down to eat, Hitch fortunately still had his eyebrows, and the burgers hadn't been burnt to crisps. The topics around the table were mundane, as Dietrich didn't want to dampen the mood. He watched Hitch and Molly together. That combined with his talk with Molly earlier made Dietrich hopeful that they would be able to make things right between Hitch and his parents.

They were all able to talk a little more freely once Zach and Carolyn were asleep upstairs. The chocolate pie was served alongside vanilla pudding, and what a delicious combination that was. Molly promised to send Dietrich home with a few slices of pie and a bit of pudding, which Hitch joked wouldn't make it past the airport. Dietrich was certain Troy had said something similar about the basket of treats that Shauna gave him after his first visit to Wyoming. That basket had actually survived past the airport, and Dietrich savored everything Shauna had made over the course of a few weeks.

He left Hitch's home shortly after sunset, heading out to the main road in order to catch a bus back to his hotel. While heading down the street, Dietrich spotted the collie, peeking out from behind the bushes like it had done before. He watched the dog for a moment, then resumed his walk. The collie appeared again when he reached a bus stop, pausing to sit by Dietrich. It looked up at him, accepting some affection in the form of a scratch under its chin and around its ears. Dietrich couldn't help smiling. "This stays between you and me. Goodness knows how Moffitt would react."

Dietrich was only waiting for a few minutes before a bus pulled up. The collie turned and left him. Dietrich thought for a moment, wondering if he should have tried taking the dog with him. Instead, he shrugged, and got on board. There weren't many people on the bus. He sat across the aisle from a young woman with dark, shoulder-length hair. She looked a bit sad and tired. Dietrich couldn't help wondering if she was okay, as he had plenty of experience with sadness and exhaustion. He shifted in his seat, asking, "Are you alright?"

The woman looked at him. "Me?"

"Yes. You look a bit sad."

"A little, I suppose."

"Would you like to talk about it?"

The woman hesitated, so Dietrich didn't push. He went back to facing forward, only standing when the bus reached his stop. He didn't realize the woman followed him until sensing a presence behind him as he headed to the doors of the hotel lobby.

"Wait," she said. "Please, forgive me, I just… didn't think a bus was a good place to talk. Sorry, I… I should introduce myself. I'm Cordie. Cordie Brook."

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Brook."

"Oh, please, you can call me Cordie. Less formal. And you?"

"Hans Dietrich."

"You're… not from here, are you?"

"No. I am visiting from Germany."

"Strange, isn't it? I was a nurse in the Army. A little over ten years ago, I was treating soldiers wounded by… your people."

"Yes. Times have changed," Dietrich said.

"They have." Cordie's expression faded back to the same sadness on the bus. "Sorry. Um… perhaps we could get to know each other a little better. Could you go for a drink?"

Her description fits what Hitch and Irena described to me. She mentioned that she treated soldiers during the war. This could be the woman who went after Hitch in the garden. This is a perfect opportunity to gather information. I am not one for drinking socially, though. "Perhaps," Dietrich said. "I am much more partial to coffee."

"Oh. Do you not drink alcohol?"

"I do, when I am having a meal in a restaurant or in the privacy of my own home."

"I see. It's quite late for coffee, and I still wouldn't mind having someone to talk to."

Dietrich sighed. This really is a good opportunity. Do not throw it away. "Alright."

"Oh, thank you. There is a nice place just down the street. Not overly fancy, but not dingy either. I'll show you." Cordie jogged ahead of Dietrich.

As he trailed behind her, Dietrich began wondering more and more if this was the same woman who confronted Hitch. He expected someone a little more malicious, but he also knew her kindly demeanor could give way to something much worse if the right buttons were pushed. Overall, she seemed very lonely. She spoke quite openly to Dietrich, far more openly than anyone typically would with a complete stranger. Better me than someone who would take advantage of her. He was willing to help her deal with loneliness, but he wasn't interested in her romantically at all. Like he had said to Molly, he wasn't ready for a romantic relationship, nor did he think it was right to get close with someone who was looking to hurt Hitch and his family.

Cordie had been right about the tavern being nice. It was more on the cozy side than anything else, and smelled heavily of seafood, which Dietrich would have happily tried if he hadn't just had dinner and dessert. Cordie chose a spot by a window, a nervous look on her face as Dietrich sat across from her. Dietrich looked through the drink menu, mildly disappointed they didn't carry his wine of choice, but decided he would settle for something similar when they were attended to. He glanced across the table at Cordie when she set her purse next to the salt and pepper shaker. One side of the purse had small, dark stains near the base. It was entirely possible that they were blood, but Dietrich wouldn't make any assumptions. Not yet.

"How long are you staying in Wilmington?" Cordie asked.

"One week," Dietrich replied. He closed his menu. "Now, before we forget the purpose of this outing, what is troubling you?"

"Well, I don't feel nearly as troubled anymore, but if you are still curious… over the last couple of months, I've been… I was looking for someone that I met in the war. A soldier. See, I was very shy. I still am, in a way, but back then, it was much worse. I could never work up the courage to talk to anyone I liked if it wasn't about medicine. So, I finally had the chance to talk to him one night. All the other nurses said he was wonderful. He knew how to make a girl feel good, and that was what he did for me. We were both a bit tipsy, though, but it was still… oh, it was indescribable. I told him the whole way that this was the best I'd ever felt. Truly, the best. So, he said something to me that he never said to anyone else: 'When the war is over, I'll marry you.'" Cordie's smile faded, and she shook her head. "I believed it, but… he didn't."

"You were both drunk. Why did you think he would be serious?"

"I don't know. Like I said, he'd never said it to anyone else before." Cordie's face reddened and her lower lip quivered. "I spent all this time, trying to find him, and then I did, and he… he didn't even remember me! And he married someone else! I thought I was different. Apparently not. He's so rotten, Hans." She took a napkin to dry her face. "I told him that I hope his wife knows it's only a matter of time before she's dumped for someone else."

"When was this?" Dietrich asked.

"Only a few months ago."

"So, it has been years since you last saw each other."

"Yes."

"How do you know things have not changed with him? Perhaps he realized sleeping around is a terrible lifestyle and has settled down with someone who can truly give his life meaning."

"I thought that would be me. I'm not different enough I guess."

"Perhaps you are someone special for a different person. Have you ever thought about that?"

Cordie shook her head again. "No."

"I suggest you do."

"Maybe you're right, but… there's some things that I want to do first."

"Like what?"

"Oh, something… personal. That's all. I'm sorry."

Dietrich nodded. "Fair enough." Well, she basically confirmed that she is the woman who confronted Hitch, as well as Irena. What exactly is she planning? Is it something harmless and completely unrelated to this, or is she going to make Hitch miserable? He took his wine when the waiter brought it and a glass of sherry for Cordie to the table, thanking the waiter in the process.

"No beer for you?" Cordie asked.

"Not tonight," Dietrich replied. "Germans drink more than beer. I am also quite particular with my beer."

"You seem to be very particular about a lot of things."

"It depends. I do not like to think of myself as picky. 'Particular' is a better word." Dietrich took a sip of his wine, hoping he had chosen an acceptable substitute. It would do, and he wouldn't complain.

"I know I asked earlier, how long you were staying here in Wilmington. Are you staying with anyone?" Cordie asked.

"No. I got off the bus in front of the hotel, remember?"

"Right. Right. Sorry." Cordie looked down at her sherry for a moment. "This has been nice, Hans." She stared up at him, fluttering her lashes every so often, even sighing softly a little. "I highly doubt you've gone through life without being told that you're a very handsome man."

Dietrich shrugged. "Once or twice."

"Really? You must've not been paying attention."

"Probably not."

"Do you have someone, Hans?"

"No. Not yet. Someday. I have some things in my own life that I must sort before I can even try."

Cordie looked a bit disappointed, but Dietrich stood his ground. He took another sip of his wine, feeling sorry for Cordie. Like Hitch, she is being controlled by the whims of loneliness. They have that in common. Dietrich wasn't sure how to help. He needed to find out what Cordie was planning on doing first, especially since it was likely she was trying to make Hitch miserable as revenge. Why else would she have approached Irena at the café?

"This has still been a… a good talk," Cordie said.

"I hope I have given you something to think about." Dietrich glanced down at his glass, then finished its contents. "It is late. Do not worry about the bill. I will take care of it."

"Thank you. I know this was all a bit sudden."

"You needed assistance and it is not in my nature to ignore someone who needs help."

Cordie stood by the door while Dietrich paid the bill for the two drinks. He could feel her staring at him as he walked outside, headed in the direction of the hotel. Before he could enter the lobby, though, he felt her approach behind him, and turned. "Do you need something?" he asked.

"I was wondering if you could walk me home. It's late after all."

Dietrich took a moment to think. He didn't want to be rude, and he felt that he needed to keep his guard up. Heaven only knew if she was being genuine, or if there was something more nefarious going on. He nodded, then walked alongside Cordie deeper into Wilmington, occasionally glancing at her the whole time.

Movement in the corner of his eye made him pause and look over his right shoulder. Dietrich spotted the border collie sitting in the shadows of an alley, watching him. The dog looked less playful than it did before. In fact, it looked concerned.

"What is it?" Cordie asked.

Dietrich glanced at her, then turned back in the collie's direction, only to see that the dog had vanished. "Nothing. I thought I saw something in that alley. Probably a trick of the light."

They kept walking, and stopped when they came to an apartment building on the corner of a street. "This is it," Cordie said. "Thank you, Hans."

"Not a problem. Good night." Dietrich turned to walk away rather abruptly. This time, he didn't sense anyone following him, and each time he looked over his shoulder, he saw no one, not even the collie.

Dietrich made haste with getting to Hitch's home the next morning, and was impressed with the amount of energy he had despite not having a drop of coffee yet. He stopped on the porch, breathing hard while looking at his watch. He hoped he wasn't too early, but he was sure his news would wake Hitch and Molly up. After catching his breath, he knocked on the door.

A couple of minutes passed before Hitch answered the door, wearing nothing but his shorts. It was evident that he had just gotten out of bed with all the red lines on his torso from creases in his sheets. "Hey, Dietrich. What're you doing here so early?"

"I found her. Cordie Brook. Does that name ring a bell?" Dietrich asked.

Hitch still looked half-asleep. "Hang on." He rubbed his face, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Cordie Brook… Cordie Brook, Cordie Brook. Um… yeah, that name is familiar. Come inside. Let me get a cup of coffee."

The two were quiet while in the kitchen, as Molly was upstairs nursing Carolyn, and Zach was still sleeping. Dietrich was glad to receive some coffee himself, and enjoyed it while Hitch paced the kitchen.

"Now, you're sure the woman who approached me in the garden and talked to Mom in the café was Cordie Brook," Hitch said.

"Positive. She told me that she found you and was stunned that you did not recognize her," Dietrich replied. "That could only be her."

"Okay, let's start from the beginning. How did you find her?"

"When I took the bus back to the hotel, she was on the bus as well. I spoke to her because she looked a little sad, and because I wondered if this was the same person because her description matched what you and your mother told me."

Hitch nodded while listening.

"When we reached the hotel, I got out, and she followed. She told me she was not comfortable discussing her problems on the bus and asked if I could go for a drink. I thought this would be a good opportunity to see if my feeling was correct, and, surprisingly, it was. This is also going to sound quite strange, but… she seemed interested in me. As in, romantically. I think."

"Good grief, no."

"I am not interested in her. Or anyone at the moment. Not until I get more things sorted out with my depression and the prophecy."

Hitch breathed a sigh of relief. "Have I ever told you you're a good friend, Dietrich? If there was ever a time I needed someone logical, it's now."

"I may not want a relationship with this woman, but I do feel sorry for her. Like you once were, she seems to be suffering from loneliness."

"That doesn't justify what she did to me and Mom."

"No, but I think we should confront her before she does something that could seriously jeopardize her future."

Hitch set his coffee cup down while looking conflicted. "I really don't want to talk to her. Or anyone I saw in college or the war. Just… I want it gone."

Dietrich nodded. "I do not blame you, but putting the past away often involves confronting it, even if you really have no desire to."

"How?"

"Well, you do not want to confront Cordie. Why is that?"

"I just don't. I don't want to be reminded of… how I used to be. I don't want her to be angry with me. I don't want her to try pressuring me into having another relationship with her. I don't want her trying to hurt Molly or the kids."

"So, you are afraid."

"Yeah, pretty much. Very… afraid. I worked hard to get where I am now, and I don't want to get set back."

Dietrich nodded. "There is no single solution for things like this. I know I have many past experiences that I have yet to confront. Believe me, I am terrified of them, but I know it has to be done. It will take time, but I have the time. You do not, because you have someone who may be actively seeking to harm you."

"That doesn't help."

Dietrich wasn't sure what more he could say that would alleviate the situation. He looked down at his coffee, trying to think. He sighed and rubbed his face. "We should have breakfast, and then keep trying to figure this out."

Hitch didn't argue with him, but he still seemed uncertain about anything Dietrich had told him while getting a carton of eggs out from the refrigerator.

They both glanced toward the stairs as Molly came in holding Carolyn. "I had a feeling it was just Hans at the door," she said.

"Yeah. Nothing to worry about," Hitch replied. "He, um… He found the woman who found me at my parents' house."

"He did?"

"Yeah." Hitch looked at Dietrich. "Could you—"

"After breakfast," Dietrich said.

"Okay."

Breakfast consisted of French toast and bacon, and the time it took for everything to cook was ample for Dietrich to figure out how he wanted to explain what happened last night to Molly. When Zach woke up, Dietrich knew he was going to have to wait longer, as the toddler was in the stage of constantly asking his mother everything, even things that seemed to come out of nowhere. He also kept pointing at Dietrich and saying, "He make bad apple."

"Zach, buddy," Hitch gently took his son aside. "Hey, be nice to Uncle Dietrich, okay? He made a mistake. It happens. Remember you knocked over your block tower? I didn't tell you you're bad at making block towers. You tried again and you were more careful with it."

Zach nodded. "Okay, Daddy." He turned to Dietrich. "I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted," Dietrich said. When he finally had a chance to speak without potential interruptions, he looked at Hitch, saying, "I have no idea how you do it."

"What, handle Zach?" Hitch shrugged. "I don't know. I have some experience with Tully's daughters. Every kid is different at this age, and, yes, as frustrating as it can be sometimes, I still love him." Hitch sank down to a chair by Dietrich. "I hope he doesn't do anything I did when he grows up. I know Dad taught me that… stuff like that—you know, sleeping around with a different woman every single night—isn't okay, but I still went and did it anyway."

"You have the experience now to teach your son the damage such a lifestyle can do," Dietrich said. "Granted, having one of your 'girlfriends' come back for revenge is not the absolute worst that could have happened."

"I know. I got lucky in terms of consequences."

Dietrich thought for a moment while savoring his breakfast. "I think being able to make things right with Cordie now will be of use later on, when Zach is old enough to learn. You will have faced your fear. You will be able to give Zach the courage to resist what you could not."

"All of that won't help with loneliness. Will it?"

"It might. You can teach him how to recognize it, and how it can lead to undesirable outcomes if the wrong people come along to take advantage of it. However, the real test will be when Zach is actually placed in such a situation, which I hope and pray never happens. He has a good family. He has you and Molly, and of course there is Troy, Moffitt, Tully, and myself."

Hitch drew in a breath. "You make good points, Dietrich. We'll… go find Cordie after breakfast."

Dietrich nodded in agreement. There was still one piece of the puzzle that didn't quite fit just yet, and that was the border collie. Dietrich kept eating, kept trying to think, but he figured the answer would come when they were ready to learn.