" You's have any problem with nothing being found here? " The landowner asked while getting up from the table.
The couple looked at each other and both shook their heads.
" We' re dealing with what belongs to others ...and there's others would have it. Your share will be from mine..from my family."
We discussed that ourselves, we don' t need anything but answers ,yet asked our selves why us? You could just as well done this yourself." The wife asked.
" His background ,his kins background,your helping me when we met without having to".
" Wanted to see whatever that eye by the creek was " the watch holder said with a chuckle.
" Still gotta hit town ,I'll be back in a couple hours. Git yerselves ready for a short hike."
After acquiring some staples, (and a treat of a wedge of cheese he overwrapped with newspaper and put in the shaded side of the truck bed)walked the short distance to the towns only tavern.
The barkeep nodded and pulled a short draft and set it before the landowner at the same time he leaned against the bar.
An interesting handshake and " brother" was exchanged.
" Thinking of pawning my watch" said the landowner.
" Bout time" was the reply
" Who' s your visitors with the r.v.?"
" Strangers I think will help out. He's former security the government go to when they need help out of sticky situations. They ain't after everything but will get a share of mine."
" Well....there's watchers if they try anything funny".
" Aye".
" Thank yee for the beer..., I'm going to see about that watch".
" You are welcome Maybe you can buy for a few years next time!"
Parting with a guffaw the landowner returned to the truck and headed home.
" Ready?" He asked the couple.
" Been ready" the watch holder replied.
" Hop in then."
A slow drive north took them to a river. A well aged but just as well kept farmhouse was approached and the truck parked behind it ,near a springhouse.
The landowner got out after giving a " wait a few an I'll let you know".
From the hill rise behind the springhouse ,well brushed over unlike the manicured grounds around house ,barn and grounds walked a very old looking gent with a shotgun in the crook of one arm.
The two exchanged a greeting , the landowner handed the old gent the wrapped wedge of cheese then showed the older gentleman his watch.
The older gent looked towards the truck and discussion followed.
The landowner waved the couple and they left the truck and joined him.
" None of this happened,you understand? Or anything you know about it."
" Agreed" they each said in turn.
The landowner handed the older gent his watch. With a practised hand the older gent popped the cover,removed the cameo and studied the map inside the lid.
Reading the mountain peaks as numbers " 333".
Pulling the winding knob he then pried the case open and looked at the name engraved.
" What's yer name" he asked the landowner.
" *.+.#. " the landowner answered.
" Good" and the older gent pulled the chain,penknife and fob free of the watch ...handed them to the landowner ,minus the watch he dropped in his vest pocket.
"We could use your help" he said ,turning to to the couple.
Folks with no greed for what's others and able to locate folks to get them to where they need to be. Things got shuffled too much after the war."
" Why here and not your springhouse?" the watch holder asked the landowner standing at his elbow.
" That one was played out fifty years ago , by the few knew anything enough"
" I think I know what this is" the watch holder said " How many are left?"
" Just an even dozen now" said the older gent. Come back in a halfhour *+# , and you two too".
On their time allotted drive the wife and husband were elated. " This will be great, but how do we know who to look for or where they need to go that has what they are after....or even don't know is available? " the wife started.
" Recon we'll know when we need to" said the watch holder.
" Just watch yourselves" the landowner said. " There's thieves and cutthroats and more hands after what ain't theirs than ever was".
The ride quieted as the truck was turned back to the second springhouse.
The older gent was waiting and handed the landowner a leather bag and said " 333 dollars, your kins account is settled.
He walked around to the watch holders window who without being asked held up the watch he recovered from the peaks.
A couple crows made raucous sounds and a raven swooped low but not near enough truck or shotgun to be a threat.
" Thank you" said the older gent as he pocketed the tired watch , then handed the former watch holder a list of names and last known addresses.
" When you find some one, check the nearest eye for some one on hand to square up with. If'n the roof is down
nd no one is around it's empty. God speed to you's ,and thank you"
" Thank you" came in chorus from the truck.
The landowner tossed a portion of his gold dollars in a Crown bag towards the old gent ,who deftly swatted it down in his closed hand then nodding at the landowner.
The truck AARC'd through the yard onto the dirt road.
The couple crows and a seemingly out of place raven stood perched high up and close to the trunk of a great willow by the springhouse.
Already asleep,in the middle of the day.
Odd for such critters.
