Shooting Star by Carol Lynne

remainder of his stay in the hospital, Nancy had made it a point to take special care of him, each time inquiring as to when Brac would be back to visit.
    “He’s a good guy. It’s been a while since I’ve been subjected to one of those. Maybe it’s rubbing off,” Priest explained.
    “Gee, thanks,” Jessup mumbled. He started to close his eyes but suddenly thought of something. “Your mood doesn’t have anything to do with you getting laid, does it?”
    “I’ve kept your boy’s cherry intact if that’s what you’re asking.”
    “I seriously doubt Brac’s had his cherry for some time now.”
    Priest shook his finger from side to side. “ Aahhh , but until I’ve fucked them, they’re still officially a virgin.”
    Jessup let his eyes drift shut. “Keep tellin ’ yourself that, stud.” He didn’t know what Brac had done to cheer up his usually ornery friend, but he had to admit the new Priest was a hell of a lot more fun to be around. “How did Brac take the news of Steve’s suicide?” he asked without opening his eyes.
    “Hard. I think he’s blaming himself. He tried to call the boy’s family, but the listed number’s been disconnected.”
    “I wonder why?” The whole situation didn’t feel right. “Have you dug up anything on the family?”
    “Basic search stuff. His mom, Beth, died of a heart attack shortly before Steve hung himself. His dad, Curtis, sold the family home and moved to parts unknown.”
    Jessup’s eyes sprang open. “That’s a lot for one man to handle in such a short time. You thinking what I’m thinking?”
    “Already a step ahead of you, as usual. I called home on the way here and asked Alice to put a trace on Curtis’ social security number. If he’s moved, she’ll find him.”
    As far as Jessup knew, Priest was the only operative to call headquarters home. He assumed it was because Alice was the closest thing to a mother Priest had ever had. Jessup closed his eyes again as the pain medicine began to kick in. “Wake me when we get there.”

Chapter Seven
     
     
     
    Brac spread his favourite blanket and lay down before tucking the ridiculous handgun between his legs. He hadn’t bothered to bring the fishing pole, wanting nothing more than to feel the afternoon sun on his face for a while.
    “I’ve been watching you,” a gruff voice said.
    Brac sat straight up and turned to find an older man step out of the brush. After Priest had filled him in on Steve’s suicide, he knew exactly who the man was. Although having a rifle pointed at him was enough to scare the shit out of him, it was the red laser sight on top that Brac knew cemented his fate. “Mr Hostetler?”
    “Don’t you say my name, boy,” Curtis spat. “I came to make things right. I’ve waited for this chance for days, and I finally saw that big fella leave, so I’m taking it.”
    Brac held up his hands to draw Curtis’ attention away from the gun hidden between his legs. He’d known he was taking a chance coming out to the pond after Priest had left, so he’d found one of Jessup’s guns and had brought it with him. Damn, was he glad of his moment of paranoia.
    “Please, sir. I’m sorry about Steve. I truly am, but I was just trying to be a friend to him when it seemed he needed one.”
    “Yeah, well that friendship cost him everything. You filled his head with all kinds of queer bullshit. Had him believing he was one of you.”
    “He was,” Brac whispered. “He was just afraid to tell you.”
    Curtis shook his head. “You’re lying. Steven told me he reached out to you because you were a famous guy and you used that to send him vile emails. Surely you can’t be stupid enough to think the government doesn’t monitor what goes in and out to their troops.”
    Confused, Brac tried to remember the content of the messages. “I’m sorry, sir, but that’s not true. I only encouraged Steve to reach out to the people he loved and trusted. Never would I send anything sexual in nature to