What he couldn’t tell him was the source of the recording of his brother’s death. It wasn’t a center recording. Jarod hadn’t waited to do research. All his efforts since receiving the information had been spent in getting to Luke. Jarod and Luke both, would like to know who these others were.

Someone had gotten Lyle on the scent. Someone who knew the Center’s abilities and connections. And… their inside reputation for being utterly heartless and totally outside the law, whenever it suited their purpose….which was most of the time.

“But how did they find us in the first place? We didn’t exactly advertise that we were different.” Luke couldn’t think of a single instance in which he or his brother had been indiscreet enough to draw attention to themselves.

“It was your birth records.” Jarod replied.

“Our what?”

“Or rather your lack of them.” Jarod ticked off the particulars. “Two boys approximately six years old, found wandering naked, in the snow, with no sign of distress from the cold, and speaking no known language. No one reported you missing. A search of the surrounding countryside gave no clue as to where you could have come from.

I find that a bit unusual. So did others.”

“So it wasn’t a mistake we made.” Luke felt a sense of …what? Not relief exactly, but he was glad he had in no way been the reason for his brother’s death. “What now?” Where did a kid go when he had no place to go? And no one to go with?

“Would you be interested in coming with me for a while? If you find a place that fits your fancy and want to stay, I can fix you up with U.S. identity papers and a plausible past.” Jarod liked the kid. He had no one, and needed to find himself. As in a way Jarod did. Perhaps they could spend some time searching together. One thing for certain. He wasn’t going to let Luke end up like his brother.

“I would like that Jarod. But won’t you be in danger by being with me?” Luke had only his feelings and a dream to go on. But he felt that this man was worth having as a friend. You don’t put friends in danger.

So Jarod spent the next couple of hours telling Luke a little about himself. He had Luke laughing at some of the adventures he’d had and at the various ways he had baited his pursuers.

With the car safely hidden a block away from the hotel, the two weary travelers had a good night’s sleep.