Rosa glanced back.
“What?”
“There are twelve motorcycles.”
“Not helping, Emma.”
Cole Maddox looked across the road.
The other bikers were indeed watching.
He raised one hand.
Several deliberately turned away.
One suddenly became extremely interested in checking his tire.
Cole looked back at Rosa.
“I came to deliver something.”
“To me?”
“No.”
Rosa’s expression hardened.
“To Emma.”
“No.”
Emma leaned around her grandmother.
“What is it?”
“Emma.”
“What?”
“You do not accept things from strangers.”
Emma considered this.
“He knows my name.”
“That makes it worse.”
Cole nodded.
“Your grandmother is correct.”
Rosa looked irritated that he agreed.
Cole slowly reached toward the inside of his vest.
Rosa lifted the wooden spoon.
“Easy.”
He stopped.
“There’s an envelope inside my vest.”
“Take it out slowly.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Emma whispered, “Grandma, that's what police say.”
“I've seen television.”
Cole removed a sealed envelope.
White paper.
Slightly bent.
A small black drawing appeared in one corner.
Emma’s breath caught.
“Wait.”
Rosa looked back.
“What?”
Emma wheeled forward slightly.
“Show me.”
Cole held it where she could see.
The drawing was tiny.
A butterfly with one wing larger than the other.
Emma forgot to be afraid.
“Daddy.”
Rosa froze.
Emma pointed.
“Daddy draws butterflies like that.”
Cole’s expression softened.
“I know.”
Rosa turned slowly toward him.
“You know her father?”
“I know Mateo.”
“From where?”
Cole looked at Emma.
“May I kneel?”
Rosa seemed surprised by the question.
“Why?”
“So I'm not talking down to her.”
Emma answered before Rosa could.
“Okay.”
Cole lowered himself carefully onto one knee.
Even kneeling, he seemed enormous.
He placed the unopened envelope on his palm.
“I was asked to give this directly to you.”
Emma reached.
Rosa caught her hand.
“Hold on.”
Cole immediately withdrew the envelope.
Rosa asked, “When did Mateo give you this?”
“Six weeks ago.”
“Where?”
Cole hesitated.
Rosa noticed.
“That should be an easy question.”
“It’s not complicated.”
“Then answer.”
Cole took a breath.
“Afghanistan.”
Rosa’s face changed.
“You were there?”
“Yes.”
“You’re active duty?”
“No.”
“Contractor?”
“No.”
“Then what were you doing there?”
“Visiting somebody.”
Rosa stared.
Cole added, “Long story.”