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just want to see an old man freeze his shriveled ass off.”
    “Trust me, I really do not want to see that,” Buzz laughed. “But you’re one of the leaders of this gang, so you need to get out there and show your face.”
    “Then why ain’t he comin’?” Critter whined, pointing at me. “People look up to the moron. He should be out there too.”
    “Thanks for the compassion, Crit,” I said, smiling.
    “That’s why,” Stuart said.
    “What’s why?” I asked.
    “You just made farting noises and called me Luela,” Stuart said. He looked very serious.
    “Oh,” I winced. “Poop.”
    “John? You sure you got this?” Stuart asked.
    “Not a problem,” John said. “I’ve been out in the field all morning. My legs could use the rest. I’ll make sure the doctor doesn’t mess with Jace.”
    Stella leaned down and kissed my brow then stared at me for a couple of seconds. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
    “Take your time,” I said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
    “No, you’re not going bowling,” Stella replied, her worried look getting even more worried.
    “Did I say bowling?” I asked.
    Stella nodded then left quickly. Pretty sure she was about to cry. Fuck.
    “Can I keep examining him?” Stenkler asked John as soon as it was just us in the RV. “At least until everyone starts loading back on?”
    “You cool with that, Jace?” John asked me.
    “Cool as a cucumber,” I said.
    “Then go ahead,” John said to Stenkler.
    “Can you talk for me, Jace?” Stenkler asked.
    John laughed at that.
    “Talk about what?” I replied.
    “Anything,” Stenkler said. “I just want to hear your speech pattern and make some notes when you go off topic or your nouns get mixed up.”
    “He always goes off topic,” John said. “It’s his specialty.”
    “Oh, I know what I could talk about,” I sneered at John. “Elsbeth. How are things between the two of you?”
    John cleared his throat and the smart ass look he’d just had went away fast.
    “Fine,” he said.
    “You two still a thing?” I pressed. “Still getting it on? Bumping uglies? Doing the nasty?”
    “Did you mean to say all those euphemisms?” Stenkler interrupted.
    “Yep,” I grinned.
    “We’re still intimate,” John said. “Not much choice. When Elsbeth wants to, uh, bump uglies, then we bump uglies.”
    “Is it against your will?” Stenkler asked, looking alarmed.
    “What? No,” John said quickly. “I care for her. I do. Probably more than I should. It’s just that…”
    “Elsbeth is Elsbeth,” I answered for him.
    “Exactly,” John said. “That woman is simple on so many levels, but that makes her only more complicated on so many more.”
    “True dat, bro,” I said and held out my hand for a fist bump.
    John just stared at me.
    “No fist bump?” I said.
    “What? Uh, Jace, you’re lifting your stump and waving it at me,” John said.
    “Am I?” I looked down and saw Stumpageddon doing a little dance. “Huh. Didn’t know that.”
    “Involuntary motor control,” Stenkler said. “Your list is getting longer.”
    “You know me,” I grinned. “I like a long list.”
    “That makes no sense,” John said.
    “Doesn’t it? Doesn’t it?” I asked. “No, I guess it doesn’t. Story of my life.”
    The door to the RV whipped open and Stella stuck her head inside.
    “You need to come see this,” she said to John.
    “See what?” he asked.
    “Just come on,” Stella said then looked at me. “Stay here.”
    “What? I wasn’t planning on going anywhere, but now that you tell me I can’t then maybe I should,” I smirked.
    “Stay here,” she growled.
    Uh-oh.
    John frowned then got up and followed her out. I looked at Stenkler and he just looked back at me. Then he must have seen a look in my eyes.
    “No. You need to stay put,” he said.
    “Just a peek,” I grinned.
    “No,” he insisted.
    “You ever killed a man, doc?” I asked.
    “No. Well, yes, but I didn’t want to,” Stenkler