Chapter 44

At this, my dad gave a slight smile and took another swig of beer. "George, you didn't lie, did you?" Jeremy's tone shifted, and a flash of menace crossed his usually composed face. "At this point, Tooth and the others should have arrived already. If they don't find the ledger, you know how this will go." "I didn't lie." After finishing his meal, my dad lay back on the ground, rubbing his stomach and letting out a satisfied burp. "Good." Jeremy nodded, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. He lit one, then tossed the pack and lighter to my dad. "George, we've known each other since we were kids in Stonebrook. It's been over 40 years, right?" My dad lit a cigarette, took a puff, and started coughing terribly. He then swallowed hard again. "I'm 47. You're six years younger, so you're 41." "That's right," said Jeremy. He continued, "When we were kids, you were the leader, and all the other kids followed you, including me. You took us up the mountain to hunt and down to the river to