“Tell Frank I sent you.”
Dela smiled.
“Thank you.”
Then she hesitated.
“Mr. Briggs?”
“Yes?”
“Can I ask you something?”
Hank waited.
The answer would change his life.
Cole Garrison
“That young man was Colt Garrison.”
Hank remembered the name.
Dela continued.
“His father owns Garrison Martial Arts Academy.”
Hank glanced toward her.
“My nephew Cole trains there.”
“How old?”
“Twenty-four.”
“What rank?”
“Black belt.”
Hank frowned.
“Black belt?”
Dela nodded.
“He's been training for years. He works extra shifts at the hospital in Big Pine to pay for it.”
She paused.
“His grandmother died last winter. Martial arts is the one thing he's held onto.”
Hank understood that immediately.
Dela looked toward the road.
“Today is his belt examination.”
Hank's expression hardened.
“You think Colt will cause trouble?”
“I know how men like him work.”
She looked at Hank.
“They don't always attack the strongest person.”
“They find someone they think won't fight back.”
Hank said nothing.
“Cole is gentle,” Dela continued. “He doesn't know how to deal with people who enjoy humiliating others.”
She took a breath.
“I know this is strange.”
“Yes.”
“But would you come with me?”
Hank looked at her.
“Just sit in the back.”
“I don't want trouble.”
“You won't cause any.”
“I haven't been inside a martial arts school in nine years.”
“Then don't fight.”
Dela smiled.
“Just be there.”
Hank touched the silver chain around his neck.
June's wedding ring hung from it.
He remembered something she had once told him.
Some people don't need fixing.
They just need to be seen.
Hank sighed.
“I'll watch.”
Dela's eyes filled with relief.
“That's all I'm asking.”
The Academy
Garrison Martial Arts Academy stood on Balsam Street.
Red-and-gold lettering.
Large windows.
White mats.
Hank arrived at two in the afternoon.
He turned off the Harley.
For several seconds, he remained seated.
He almost left.
Then he remembered June.
He walked inside.
Forty people stood around the training floor.
Parents.
Students.
Instructors.
At the center was a young man.
Cole Garrison.
Twenty-four.
Black belt.
Broad shoulders.
Perfect posture.
Confidence bordering on arrogance.
He bounced lightly on his feet.
Then he saw Hank.
His eyes narrowed.
“Who is that?”
Dela stepped forward.
“He's with me.”
Cole stared.
“That's not an answer.”
Hank said nothing.
Cole looked at the leather jacket.
“Veteran?”
Hank nodded.
“Marine?”
Another nod.
Cole smiled.
“Interesting.”
The examination began.
Students performed forms.
Strikes.
Blocks.
Throws.
Cole was impressive.
Very impressive.