Part 4. Room number 108.
The doctor noticed a subdued excitement in the teenager's voice. Jim started telling stories again, and McLand wasn't sure if it was worth putting Caleb into the work of a highly secret society. Daniel Elkin's crazy plan deprived them of the opportunity to keep the boy in complete ignorance.
- It's very important," said Jim and leaned toward Caleb. - I'm sending McLand out to find someone else but Jonathan Winchester.
- Is he a bad guy?
- On the contrary, I think he's got the makings of a great hero," Jim paused theatrically, "like Athos, Porthos, and Aramis.
Caleb laughed.
- I know that there are no real musketeers.
- Of course, it happens. They may not be horsemen defending the king, but there are great men who protect the innocent as we speak.
- Like Bobby, for example?
McLand snorted. Caleb also believed in Singer's strange and exaggerated stories about his many battles with supernatural powers.
- Yes.
- Is this guy going to be a hunter?
- As far as I understand, he has already embarked on this journey, but it will be his decision to join us or to continue his single journey.
McLand coughed up, breaking the spell.
- Not all hunters belong to the Brotherhood, and some do not meet the criteria.
Caleb bit off another piece of the pie.
- Because the Brotherhood looks like musketeers.
McLand smiled. In this regard, with the book characters, he could only blame himself.
- Yes. We are an electoral group.
- It makes you look like a king, Pastor Jim.
McLand hid the smile behind the coffee cup.
- Or maybe a cardinal.
- On that note, I think I'll call Jonathan to let him know that you and Caleb are coming to Dayton tomorrow afternoon.
- Ohio? - McLand raised his eyebrow.
- Yes." Jim got up with his plate. - You can take the church van.
Ames remembered the archaic atrocity with a rainbow drawn on his side.
- I would prefer not to.
- You have nothing to drive there.
- I could fly there, you know. I have a private jet at my disposal.
- Why shorten my journey when it's the most important thing on a trip?
McLand sighed, knowing that he would never win an argument with Jim Murphy.
- I knew I should have rented a car at the airport, not let you meet us.
- And I like the truck," Caleb said.
- So we have a deal. - Jim put his plate in the sink and headed for the stairs with his coffee. - Betsy would be very happy to get out of the shed and stretch his legs.
McLand shook his head, surprised at the pastor's propensity for anthropomorphism. You'd think he'd saddle up one of his rescued racehorses for them. He turned to Caleb.
- When you've finished eating your pie, rest a little. Looks like we have a long day tomorrow.
- Can I drive? - Caleb sent the last crumbs of pie into his mouth.
- Only if I'm unconscious.
The teenager raised his eyebrow.
- Is there any chance that this will happen?
Ames raised his mug.
- Not before you turn sixteen.
The old motel wasn't in the best part of town. Before joining the Brotherhood, McLand had never carried a weapon or traveled to the skinny parts of the city to meet complete strangers. Now, although he had a shoulder holster under his cape, he felt a wave of anxiety that Caleb might be in danger.
The teenager was unbuckling his seat belt and looked completely serene. McLand grabbed his hand before Caleb opened the door.
- Maybe it would be nice if you stayed here until I checked on him.
- Did you see the neighborhood on the way here? I think I should risk going with you, Magnum. - Caleb smiled at him. - Unless you want to leave me the keys to Pastor Jim's Ferrari and three farts.
McLand sighed. The teenager was watching too many police shows.
- No driving and no guns.
- Then I'm going too.
Ames had to agree with that logic.
- Stay behind me and be quiet," McLand said, knocking on the door at number 108.
- What do you want? - I heard a rude voice from the room.
Ames looked through the peephole.
- I'm Dr. McLand Ames and I'm looking for Jonathan Winchester.
The door opened. A man of about the same age as McLand appeared on the doorstep. He had shaggy dark hair and two days' worth of bristles. He was wearing faded jeans, an unsightly black T-shirt, and shabby shoes. Jim described him as a highly-skilled Marine, but McLand thought he was something between a biker and a cowboy. Most of all, the doctor's attention was attracted by the cut-off that the man was holding in his hand.