Chapter 39
Dylan pulled Gabriel aside after breakfast. “Do you think we could go by the gun store and see if we see that guy again? See how he reacts when you’re not with Johnny?”
Gabriel rolled his eyes. “I guess. We told Carina we’d gather my guns and ammo and bring it here.”
Dylan nodded. “Yeah. Maybe we’ll see him. I want to talk to him.”
Gabriel snorted. “Yeah right. Talk my ass. You want to kill him.”
Dylan smirked. “So? I can talk and then torch him, can’t I?”
Gabriel shook his head with a sigh. “I don’t know. I never pictured you as a murderer.”
“And I never pictured you as being able to open portals into other worlds, or me being able to turn into a Pomeranian. Yet here we are.”
Gabriel narrowed his eyes. “You’re better than a vigilante killer.”
Dylan shrugged. “Maybe. But you and I both know this situation’s a little different. It’s not like whatever Homer did left any evidence of what really happened. As far as the authorities are concerned, my dad died in an accident. Even if we could get them to look into this guy, you heard Johnny. His documents wouldn’t hold up to much scrutiny. Do you think there would be any resolution to this in our lifetime? They’d probably spend the next decade trying to figure out who the fuck he is, where he came from. The government might just make him disappear as a spy. If they figure out what he really is, it could spell even more trouble. There’s a reason a separation existed between this world and the others, and I doubt it had anything to do with the time differential. That’s why I became dubious about the success of our plan to go in with guns blazing. There’s something in the magic of the gates that prevents weapons from coming across, and I’d bet it goes both ways.”
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Why do you say that?”
Dylan shook his head and chuckled under his breath. “You don’t read or watch many spy thrillers, do you. It would be an easy way for one side to get a mode of assassination to a sympathetic party among the other side’s delegation.”
Gabriel sighed. “You’re probably right. Then why get all my guns? Why stock up on more ammo?”
Dylan grinned. “I may have a backup plan. Don’t want to say much just yet though. I doubt Carina will like it. Johnny could go either way, honestly.”
Gabriel gaped at him.
“What? It came to me last night. Now let’s get going before Johnny figures out we’re up to something.”
Gabriel rolled his eyes as they headed out of the house. When he climbed into the passenger seat of Dylan’s car, he sighed. “You remember how to get to my house?”
Dylan flashed a sly smile. “I do. Before this shit got crazier than it already was, I memorized the route.” He winked. “Ya know, just in case. It’s not every day that a cute guy takes you to his place, even if it is just to pick up some stuff. Never know when you might have to go looking for him.”
Gabriel narrowed his eyes, but a smile crept across his face. He burst into laughter as Dylan pulled out of the drive.
Gabriel sighed. “In all seriousness, there’s something you need to know before we get there.”
Dylan came to a stop for the stop sign.
“Since you’re psychic and shit, and neither of us knows what all you can do.” He gulped. “A lot of my guns were Mike’s. Dad didn’t want them in the house when he started drinking, and he kept them at my place.”
Dylan gaped at him.
Gabriel shrugged. “What? I know he was an asshole, but he was my brother.”
Dylan nodded and turned onto the next street. “I guess that makes sense. I wouldn’t know.”
“Anyway, I figured you should know, in case you get a flash of him or whatever.”
“Got it.” He turned down the road to Gabriel’s house. “Anything else I should know?”
Gabriel sat quietly for a moment. “I don’t think so. But I don’t know what kind of craziness he may have gotten into.”
Dylan shot a glance in his direction. “Understood. So, you think I should be extra careful, but handle all of them before we leave your place?”
Gabriel nodded. “I do.” He gulped and stared out the window.
Dylan wanted to ask if there was more, but didn’t push. They would deal with whatever Gabriel wasn’t saying if it came up.
He parked as close as he could get to the front porch, and Gabriel rushed inside. As Dylan approached the steps, he heard a door slam inside. Moments later, Gabriel opened the front door. His face was flushed.
“Sorry. Had to, uh, clean up a little. Come on in.”
Dylan smiled and entered the trailer. The spartan space made his stomach sink. There was little furniture, save for a recliner and a TV stand. He hadn’t realized Gabriel was lonely, rarely having any visitors. Though, if he had thought about it, it made sense. He had wanted to leave for the same reason.
Gabriel took Dylan’s hand, leading him to a small bedroom with a desk and computer. “The safe’s in here.” He opened the closet door, and Dylan felt his jaw drop at the size of the safe hidden inside. “Mike put this in. He’d crash here sometimes when he was too drunk to go back home. Dad didn’t like his drinking.”
He spun the combination with a practiced ease and opened it. Reaching inside, he pulled out a handgun. He handed it to Dylan. “This was the gun he carried most. If anything is going to give you a reaction, it’ll probably be this one.”
Dylan took it and felt its weight. He thought he could sense Mike on it, but it wasn’t anything overpowering, so he acted like nothing happened. They went through the contents of the safe, spreading them onto the bed, covered with bags and cases. By the time the safe was empty, he was glad Gabriel wasn’t watching his every reaction.
Gabriel handed him a revolver. It was a big and heavy thing. He had to bite his lips to keep from gasping or crying out when it touched his palm, seeing a younger Gabriel filled with pain, holding the gun in his hands. He tossed it onto the bed, and when Gabriel turned, Dylan threw his arms around him in a tight embrace.
“I’m sorry you ever felt so alone.”