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instead. For reasons he didn’t understand, he didn’t like having his good-looking foreman Harley around Lisa.
    He went to the meeting with his banker and then on to Ebenezer Scott’s place, careful to phone ahead. There were men on the gate who didn’t like unexpected company and might react instinctively.
    Eb met him at the front door, more relaxed than Cy had seen him in years.
    â€œHow’s it going?” he asked the newly married man.
    Eb grinned. “Funny how nice a ball and chain can feel,” was all he said, but his eyes were twinkling with delight. “How’s it going on your end?”
    â€œLet’s go inside,” Cy said. “I’ve found out a few things.”
    Eb took him into the kitchen and poured coffee into mugs. “Sally’s teaching. I don’t usually do more than grab a sandwich for lunch…”
    Cy held up a hand. “I haven’t got time, thanks. Listen, they’ve got the beehives on-site around that new warehouse on the land adjoining mine. There’s a lot more activity there, panel trucks coming and going and deliveries after dark. I’ve spotted a number of unfamiliar faces. They don’t look like beekeepers to me. Besides,” he added curtly, “I saw a couple of Uzis.”
    â€œAutomatic weapons at a honey plant,” Eb murmured thoughtfully. “They must have armed, militant bees.” He grinned at his own whimsy. “I’d hoped that Lopez might hesitate after his failed attempt on Sally’s family.” Sally, along with her aunt Jessica and Jessica’s young son, Stevie, were targeted for vengeance by the drug lord. Luckily Lopez hadn’t succeeded in his mission.
    â€œWe knew that Lopez had mentioned to one of his slimy followers that he needed a new distribution center. What better place than a little Texas town notfar from the Gulf of Mexico, with no federal officers around?”
    â€œHe knows we’re around,” Cy pointed out.
    â€œHe only knows about me,” came the reply. “Nobody locally knows about you. And he thinks I won’t do any thing because he’s backed away from harming Sally’s family. He figures the two guys who are taking the fall for him will keep the wolves from his door.”
    â€œI don’t like it.”
    â€œNeither do I, but unless we can prove he’s channeling drugs instead of honey through here, we can’t do anything. Not anything legal,” he added slowly.
    â€œI’m not going up against Uncle Sam,” Cy said firmly. “This isn’t the old days. I don’t fancy being an expatriated American.”
    Eb sighed. “We’re older.”
    â€œOlder and less reckless. Let Micah Steele go after him. He lives in Nassau and has connections everywhere. He wouldn’t be afraid of getting kicked out of the States. He doesn’t spend much time here anyway.”
    â€œHis stepsister and his father live here,” Eb pointed out. “He isn’t going to want to put them in harm’s way.”
    â€œFrom what I hear, his father hates him and his step sister would walk blocks out of her way to avoideven passing him on the street,” Cy said curtly. “Do you think he still cares about them?”
    â€œYes, I do. He came back with the express purpose of seeing his father and mending fences, but the old man refused to see him. It hurts him that his father won’t even speak to him. And I’ve seen the way he looks at Callie, even if you haven’t.”
    â€œThen why does he live in Nassau?”
    Eb glanced around warily. “He’s over here doing a job for me, so watch what you say,” he cautioned. “I don’t want him on the wrong side of me.”
    Cy leaned back in his chair and sipped coffee. “I suppose we all have our crosses to bear.” He narrowed one eye at his oldest friend. “Do you think Lopez will make a try for