Nilbog Island, Sunday Night

Billy didn't drink. He wasn't fond of the loss of self control intoxicants tended to bring on. But he did usually have some alcohol around the house in case of company. And he had company more often than he'd expected.

Fairly often Billy, Gail, and Dr. Keillor gathered to compare notes and make plans. And also fairly often, Gail would stick around for a while after the head of the Marine Division headed home.

Tonight she noticed something very odd in Billy's hand. "That's a pre-mixed margarita."

"Yes. Yes it is."

"I don't drink those."

"I know."

"Are you expecting more company?"

"Actually yes, but this is for me. Believe it or not."

"What's the occasion?" Helen asked, climbing the steps to the porch. She'd caught the tail end of the conversation.

Billy took a deep breath, and then a sip of the drink. "Neither of you have asked me any questions regarding what happened here in April. And I appreciate that. But you both got caught in the middle of it, and then you went above and beyond, getting Ana and Tommy's mother out. So..." he took another sip. "I figure I owe you some answers."