Scarred hands.
Veterans of another era.
Marcus removed his helmet.
"Brothers."
Elias shook his head.
"I don't wear the patch anymore."
Marcus smiled.
"You don't need to."
The men gathered around him.
Nobody shouted.
Nobody threatened anyone.
They simply stood.
Because sometimes presence was enough.
Then Elias saw someone at the end of the street.
Victor Kane.
Older.
Thinner.
But unmistakable.
Victor smiled.
"Elias."
The diner became silent.
Elias walked toward him.
"You should have stayed gone."
Victor laughed.
"And miss this reunion?"
Victor did not come to fight.
He came to negotiate.
"I want something."
Elias stared.
"What?"
"The old property."
"The diner?"
Victor shook his head.
"The land beneath it."
Elias understood.
There was something beneath the Rusty Spur.
Something Victor believed was valuable.
Decades earlier, a group of men had hidden evidence there.
Evidence that could destroy Victor.
Elias had kept it buried.
Victor wanted it.
"Where is it?" Victor asked.
Elias smiled.
"You're standing on it."
Victor's smile disappeared.
"You always were stubborn."