Jonathan parked the car in front of Samantha's house and said he would call her sometime. I could tell he was obviously lying, but it really didn't matter to me whether that relationship worked or not.

He lit a cigarette and we shared it on the drive to his grandma's place.

"So, who is this lady?" I asked. "I had no idea you even had a grandmother."

"I do, and we're pretty close, actually. But she likes to keep it to herself, you know?"

"Oh, I can tell. And what's her deal?"

"Wine, mostly. She makes it, bottles it. She likes soap operas... And dogs."

"Wow, she certainly is unlike every other old lady, huh?"

"Trust me. I think she can help."

"With what, though? I don't even know what you mean by help."

He looked at the back seat. There was dad, completely out of it. He was obviously hesitant about something.

"Don't worry about him, he's not gonna say anything."

"That's not it, Laura. I just have to talk to grandma first."

The property's entrance was downhill at the highway, after a fifteen-minute drive from the city.

It was a gorgeous plantation with a sign that read "Holy Heart".

The river produced a lovely soft sound, and a little yellow house stood in front of it. There was nothing there that didn't seem absolutely regular for a grandma. But Jonathan was treating that visit like a traumatic call to action. He was taking long, deep breaths, and his forehead glistened with nervous sweat.

"Just relax, would you?" I whispered. "You are family. What's the worst that could happen?"

"She could invite you in."

"Isn't that what we want?"

His eyes became wide with just the thought of it. He turned to me and said:

"What? No... We don't want you, Miss 'Says whatever the hell she wants', in there."

"Fine, then. I won't go."

"But... If she does invite you in, please, don't be so... Combative."

"Sure, I'll be at my most easy-going."

He got out of the car and walked nervously towards the front door. He knocked softly on the door and walked in. I had no idea what to expect, other than a hunched sweet woman offering me tea and biscuits. But looking at Jonathan, the most laid-back dude I've ever know, suddenly acting all awkward... There had to be something odd going on.

Twenty minutes went by, and just when I couldn't keep my eyes open due to boredom, he came out. By his side, stood a gorgeous woman, one that did not looked like a grandmother at all. Maybe like a mature aunt that everybody has the hots for. She was blonde, busty and distinguished. Much different from the other "salt of the earth" farmers around.

I got out of the car and shook her hand.

"Hi, I'm Susana," she said.

"I'm Laura. Pleased to meet you."

"Oh, I feel like I've know you forever. Jonathan talks about you all the time..."

"Does he?" I asked.

"No..." Jonathan said. "She's just being nice."

"No I'm not, kiddo. What the hell is that, seems like you're calling me a liar or something," Susana asserted. "You can never shut up about this girl and you know it. Anyway..."

Susana pulled me aside a few feet, and with a much more serious expression, said:

"I see you're having trouble with the wild life. That's a real shame."

"Yeah, it's been tough."

"I can't even imagine what is like having all those people depend on you. Specially being so young."

"Jonathan said something about you being able to help us?"

"Well, I can. At least, I hope I can. There are these boys on my payroll who are pretty good trackers. They can kill anything they set their minds to."

"Hunters?" I asked.

"Well, sort of. They dabble in a little further than just hunting, if you know what I mean. But, before I can call them..."

She walked towards the car and tapped softly on the windshield.

"I need to ask Roger a big favor."