Dee snatched her badge.

  "Keep the change, you seem to believe in that sort of thing."

  Ko and Dee walked out of the store, the bell ringing behind them. They stepped toward the car and Dee secured the gas pump and fuel cover before entering and slamming the car door.

  "Jeez, can you believe that old geezer? Got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel."

  She snapped into the candy bar as Ko admired her.

  "You are Kintaro, girl form."

  "Kintaro? What's that?" She said, chewing the candy.

  "My mother told me the legend as a bedtime story when I was young, before she passed on. It was my favorite."

  Dee pulled out of the lot as Ko shared the tale.

  Chapter 14

  Kintaro Interlude One

  K

  intaro lived with his mother on a lonely mountain, green and fertile from streams that sprouted from clouds. A powerful little boy, he always wore a red and gold outfit made from thread she had weaved from their farm animals. They were his friends, but they were not free. Rabbits, monkeys, and wild boars would visit him from the hillside. They chased each other and tested strength by wrestling each other. The little boy imagined himself as a mighty sumo wrestler, like the ones he had read about. He grew close to each of his furry opponents as one-by-one he threw them off in ritual combat. All contenders from the mountain could not defeat the mighty Kintaro. He stood on a rock after every win, taking a victorious stance and smiling a cheeky grin as his animal friends clapped for him.

  One bear had heard the growing legend of the boy from a fish he had captured. As his sharp teeth tore into the aquatic victim, it cursed the bear, telling him he too would suffer at the hands of the mighty Kintaro. As the bear crushed the life from the creature, he grew envious. Enamored with his own strength, he decided he could not let this be. He had defeated every other bear from mountain to ocean, and no other animal dared oppose him. So, he began his trek to challenge the boy.

  One day, twigs cracked in the nearby shadows of Kintaro's playtime. His rabbit friend ran to warn him, but it was too late. The bear appeared from the forest, rising from all fours to a stand. The roars of the giant beast echoed throughout the valley as the smaller animals hid behind the boy and his rock. Though the bear carried ten times his size, the child became angry at it for scaring his friends. His eyes narrowed as he charged at the creature with great speed.

  The champion of the animal world stood still, astonished that the tiny boy did not flee in fear, but instead accepted the challenge. A percussive impact shot through the bear as a huge shoulder strike thrust into its ribs. Knocked sideways to the ground, the stunned beast struggled to a stand before bowing to the child. At that moment, it began admiring Kintaro and became one of his mightiest allies. The boy adopted him gladly as a friend.

  Soon after, Kintaro rode on top of the bear, grasping the wiry scruff of its back as it ran through the woods. Low evergreen branches whished by the boy as he ducked below each one, his face full of smiles and his mouth filled with laughter. His other friends followed. The rabbit, swift and brave, darted around grasses and green shoots. The monkey swung on vines and branches through the treetops above. The wild boar struggled to keep up with its short legs and round belly. But all were free.

  After a month had passed, the bear carried Kintaro on a grand adventure with his friends. Charging through an unknown part of the forest, the bear halted suddenly. A cliff overlooking an ample stream blocked their path. Kintaro dismounted as they discerned a way to cross.

  The bear spotted a large tree by the edge of the river. As he pointed to it, he said, "I am strong and will knock this tree over so we may cross." The creature, wanting to be a good friend, approached the tree and dug his claws into the ground. He inhaled deeply before he pushed and released an ear-shattering roar. All strength he spent felling the old oak. Yet with all his might, he could not move it.

  The boy walked over and laid a hand on his defeated friend. He offered a comforting nod as the bear stepped aside. When Kintaro pushed, the tree dropped at once, bridging the stream so they might pass.

  As the tree fall echoed, a middle-aged man who had been walking past turned toward them. He carried two swords and wore garments unlike any the boy had known—dark and menacing, bedecked with black embroidery. As he approached Kintaro, the animals surrounded their friend. They growled, snorted, and darted, daring the adult stranger to challenge them or the boy.

  "I mean no harm. I am Miyamoto Musashi, sword keeper and samurai class shimin. Once a powerful young man like you, I won my first duel at thirteen. Witnessing your pure strength in pushing down this tree, I beg you to join me as an elite warrior in training to defeat our enemies and set the world right."

  Miyamoto unsheathed his smaller sword and stooped to the child, offering it to him with palms raised.

  Kintaro clapped his hands as his eyes grew. He took the sword, marveling at the reflection against the sunlight. He promised to join the man once he revealed the good news to his mother.

  Breezes propelled the boy as he and his companions raced home. Once he arrived, he shared this great fortune with his mother. They spoke at length as his animal friends harkened nearby. Finally, she nodded. Although she feared for him, she knew he must train. As the creatures shed tears, she handed the boy his pack and the sword. He took them and exited eagerly, but then instinctively paused and turned, running back to his mother. As he hugged her, he said he would not forget her kindness and care for him while promising to return for her. As they broke their embrace, he waved to her and his friends as he jogged down the path.

  Chapter 15

  D

  ee chewed her last bite of the candy bar. This part of the country sported more hills as they drove closer to the mountains. The trees reminded her of home, as did the familiar smells wafting in through her open window. The encounter at the store weighed on her.

  Jo, are you there?

  Hello, Dee. How can I help?

  I just wanted to check in on something.

  Of course.

  I'm getting angrier more often. I don't have a problem throwing down, but I'm concerned I may hurt the wrong people and I wouldn't want that to happen.

  You are amazing, Dee! A fantastic insight and question. You want to know when anger is justified and when it is harmful, correct?

  Yeah, I guess.

  We are all hard-wired with certain predominant emotions. Some people are bubbly and happy. Others brood. Others are fearful and risk averse. These characteristics are tied to personality types. But we all get angry from time to time. Often anger is justified because we are harmed. Did someone harm you, Dee?

  Dee glanced at Ko typing on the laptop.

  Not me. A friend.

  How would you classify the offense? Major? Minor?

  Major to me. He used a racist slur.

  Oh, yes, a derogatory statement meant to signal your friend is less worthy of their humanity. Did you beat him up properly?

  What? No.

  That's a joke, Dee.

  Oh, okay, I see you trying, robot. Anyway, I taught him a lesson with my words instead of my fists. This time.

  That's good. You regulated yourself. You felt an appropriate level of anger and sternly responded. That may save others from his poor behavior in the future. A perfect encounter.

  He will think twice about opening his mouth, that's for damn sure.

  Do you feel better about it?

  I do, Jo, thanks.

  Add 'My anger does not control me' to the list.

  I will. Bye.

  Dee pulled the rearview mirror toward her.

  "My anger does not control me," she whispered.

  "What was that?" Ko said, looking up from the computer.

  "Nothing."

  A few moments passed before Dee turned off the narrow highway and up a small knoll toward an expansive farm. Ko had confirmed the location easily, as only one Denny lived in Castleton, according to DMV records. As the large SUV crunched driveway stones, the bright red paint adorning the barn exterior attracted her attention. It seemed fresh. The shiny aluminum roof matched the one on the farmhouse, both reflecting the early afternoon sun. Robotic hay balers in the distance toiled dutifully. The familiar stench of farm life hit her as they passed the fenced cattle.

  Near the barn, a man stood with a German shepherd. The majestic dog set at attention with eyes transfixed on another man one hundred feet away. Dee recognized the K-9 bite suit from her military training. She had seen dogs used for everything from search and rescue to bomb detection.

  Ko and Dee exited the vehicle, looking onward as they approached the scene. The man in the bite suit ran awkwardly as the dog handler yelled in German.

  "Attack!"

  The dog tore away from his side, charging across the distance in seconds.

  "Fast puppy," Ko said.

  As it closed in, it soared through the air and ferociously grabbed the bite suit arm. Jaws clenched, the momentum of the animal bringing the runner down. The head and neck of the dog flailed as the human battled against the relentless, growling assault.

  Dee called out in German.

  "Crazy Dog!"

  The handler glanced her way before calling it back. The dog released the target as ordered.

  "Can I help you two?"

  The man waved as the animal returned to his side.

  "Hell of a dog you got there," Dee said.

  "He brought hell with him. I train K-9 units like T-Bone here all the time. You in the market for one?"

  "Not exactly," she said, flashing her fake badge. "Dee Johnson, FBI, and this is Ko Hashimoto. We're looking for Denny Lee."

  "Found him more like."

  Denny licked chapped lips. His intense stare and sinewy frame matched his cropped haircut and functional clothes, where every pocket and button had a purpose. Dee had grown used to partnering with guys like him in the service. Rough and ready to go from the combat boots up.

  "We're probing a case and could use your expertise."

  "I ain't no law, just train these here dogs for 'em," Denny said, his drawl lingering.

  "But you're also the game warden. Police called you in on the case of that local real estate agent about six months ago. Angela Elliott?"

  "Yep, I remember. What of it?"

  "Well, the sheriff's report said an animal attacked her on an evening run?"

  "That's right."

  "It didn't say what kind of animal."

  Dee paused as Denny eyeballed her and Ko.

  "Guessing you two are comin' out of the Resident Agency office in Winchester? You need to give your SSA Jerry Massengill a call. Let him know you may have wandered past your authority."

  "I asked you what kind of animal attacked Mrs. Elliott."

  "A cougar. That's what we thought, not that it should matter to the FBI. Come to think of it, maybe I'll give Jerry a quick call myself."

  Denny reached for his pocket.

  "We're from the DC field office, not Winchester," Dee said, prompting him to pause. "I outrank your boy, Jerry. Not that it should matter to the game warden from Castleton."

  Denny scoffed as he patted his dog.

  "Now, you indicated a cougar attacked Mrs. Elliott. Yet there are no photos of the body on record."

  "They cremated the body."

  "That's not the concern. They should have taken photos of the crime scene. The sheriff didn't even question the husband. Jimmy, was it? Not very thorough."

  "Yes, Jimmy was the husband. Look, that was a terrible day for the entire town. He took it hard. Went damn near crazy. Left his business and started a church. We weren't too keen on holding souvenirs to remind us."

  "We looked at similar cases to Mrs. Elliott. Seems animal attacks are plentiful around here and recorded with similar shoddy efforts. There are just all kinds of folks dying in your county, warden. Why is that?"

  "Tourists."

  "Dead tourists," Ko said.

  Denny shot a sideways glance at him.

  "They go places they shouldn't. The creatures ain't liking it."

  "What kind of animals, I mean besides cougars?" Dee asked.

  "All kinds. Black bears mainly. People feed 'em. Leave supplies out. Bobcats, too. Deer. You'd be surprised how dangerous a deer buck—"

  "Sure, sure... anything unusual? Maybe something like, I don't know… a demon living in the forest?"

  "A demon?" Denny raised his eyebrows and laughed. "The Feds are here because of a goddamn fairy tale? Shoot, that's just a story to keep the kids in line. You should have saved the gas. Might as well say you're investigatin' the killer tooth fairy."

  "Never heard of a killer fairy. The kids might not like that one either."

  Denny stopped laughing and spit to the side. He spoke quicker as his face turned red.

  "Look here now. I'm all for the law doing their job, but I ain't gonna stand for none of that harassin' mouth. Sheriff better not get word 'bout you buggin' his people out o' turn."

  "Oh, don't worry, Mr. Lee. He's next."

  Dee turned toward the car and Ko followed.

  "Hey, FBI!"

  They paused, looking back at him.

  "I got lots of buddies where you work. Good ones. You let me know if you need more of that fairy dust, ya hear?"

  As they got into the vehicle, Dee adjusted the rearview mirror. Denny made a phone call as they drove away.

  Chapter 16

  A

  s Dee and Ko drove toward Washington, VA, they passed a large industrial complex surrounded by hundreds of acres.

  "What's that over there?"

  Ko pulled out a mobile tablet and typed on it. He read for a minute before speaking.

  "Mercer Peak Industries, a coal processing company. Owned by an umbrella private wealth management office for the Mercer Family." Ko swiped a photo of an older man to the windshield. "That's Knox Mercer. He's the chair of the board. Says here they are one of the largest net exporters of coal to South America and Asia."

  "Coal, huh? That's old school. My great grandmother used to have a pile outside her house. When we would visit, I'd carry in a steel bucket of black rock to keep the heating stove going. She had a mutt with black and white splotches tied up nearby, guarding it. He wouldn't let anybody pass except her. But he liked me. I couldn't have been over three or four."

  "What was the dog's name?"

  "Hmm. I don't remember, not sure he had one. Cruel existence if you think about it. Chained up, no name. Maybe that's why he was fond of me. I always scratched him behind the ears."

  They passed the Washington, VA, welcome billboard. After the first stoplight, two massive buildings filled the tiny town center—the sheriff's office and the prison. Dee parked by a sign that read Rappahannock County Sheriff's Office. A couple of pedestrians passed on the sidewalk. The gimpy one sneered at them before continuing his stroll. Dee's eyes narrowed behind her sunglasses.

  "Good chance Denny tipped the sheriff," Dee said. "Let's wear our best federal eff-you face and see what happens."

  They stepped out of the vehicle, hurrying to the main walkway. They stuck out much like Dee in Tokyo. And she knew it. She marched toward the entrance but sensed something watching them as she swiveled her head to either side. Nothing. Whatever threat she had felt did not emerge. She pulled on the giant timber and brass door before they both entered the building. Dark grained wood panels inside the granite rotunda displayed portraits of past governors.

  If blending in presented a problem, might as well turn it into an asset. Dee strode in her pumps and fitted pants toward the receptionist as Ko shadowed. Her shoes echoed powerful clicks and clacks on the marble tile floor. She pulled off her sunglasses and flashed her badge.

  "FBI here to see the sheriff, Robert Perry. We don't have an appointment."

  The senior greeter filed her nails as she eyed them sideways via bedazzled olive-green spectacles.

  "It's Buddy, not Robert," she said, using her free hand to buzz an ancient intercom. "Buddy, more FBI here to meet you."

  "Send them in," a voice responded.

  "Big office with a view, top of the stairs," she said, pointing with her nail file.

  As they took the stairs, Ko looked around.

  "Seems quiet for such an enormous building."

  "I'm sure the cops stay busy. Granite ain't cheap."

  At the landing, Dee opened the door and came upon Sheriff Buddy Perry sitting at his desk. The thin but muscled man had dressed well that morning and sported a swanky watch. Although the family photo by his nameplate placed him near fifty years of age, his slicked-back dark hair missed the resultant gray. He rifled through papers, signing his name as he went, despite their presence.

  Dee sat on a shiny wooden chair in front of his desk. Ko leaned against a wall across the room. With a small garbage can nearby, he took out his bag of peanuts and crunched on them, depositing the shells carelessly.

  She cleared her throat.

  "Oh, I'll be with you two faster than a herd of turtles," Buddy said, without looking up.

  Dee drummed her fingertips on the side of the sheriff's desk. She leaned forward, her line of sight near table level.

  Buddy glanced at her through the top of his glasses before locking eyes with her. Putting down his pen, he weaved his fingers together as they eyeballed each other.

  "Hi, sheriff. It's been a long day. May I call you Buddy?" Dee asked, amused.

  "No, you may not," he replied, spotting Ko eating peanuts across the room. "Hey guy, those are better boiled."

  Ko shrugged as he continued chewing.

  "How's your boy gonna chat from way over there?"

  Dee leaned back in the chair, crossing her legs.

  "He's not much of a talker, he mainly watches my back."

  Buddy looked her up and down before snorting.

  "With that classy chassis, I bet he does."

  Her straight lips hid her clenched teeth as the sheriff snatched a Gatorade bottle and opened it. Brown sludge sloshed in the bottom as he spat out a snuff of tobacco from his cheek. He gargled mouthwash, spitting more before wiping his face.

 

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