Chapter 8

“We come here a lot,” Nate said. “The food is good, and the creek can be interesting when the tide is out.”

“Interesting how?”

“When there isn’t much left but mudflats and little pools, the sea birds get very active.”

“Oh.”

Chris learned that Quentin was a self-employed private investigator, and Nate split his time between teaching at a high school and helping Quentin with his business.

“Quentin keeps after me to stop teaching altogether and help him full time, but I enjoy the teaching almost as much as I enjoy working with him.”

Quentin asked Chris what had brought him to Jacksonville, and Chris told him. When he mentioned he was looking for a place to live, Quentin said, “Are you looking for an apartment?”

“Only if it includes a garage for Mabel. I was thinking more of a small two-bedroom house with a garage.”

“Give me a minute,” Quentin said.