“But the Army is trying to get to you,” he said. “Got it. And, um, okay.”
I smiled finally. “Okay, you’ll help us? Find out what the captain knows and tell us?”
He sat back up. “I’ll find out, and if what he knows doesn’t sit well with me, then I’ll tell you.” He held his hand out my way. “Deal?”
I grabbed it and shook. “Deal.”
He held my hand tightly in his. “Kansas is three states over. On the way to New York. I help you—”
“That’s part of the deal. If we can, we’ll take you there. Promise.”
He let go of my hand. “You’re all gay, aren’t you? That friend inside, the blonde one, is a man?”
I gulped. Was this a deal breaker? “All gay, yes.”
He smiled. “My uncle is gay. Or, um, was.” He paused. “Maybe still is. Has a shelter of his own. A boyfriend of his own, too. Funny guy. You’d li
