Chapter 42

Mopp switched off the engine, then got his duffel bag and walked to the gate in the stockade fence that bordered the property. He could hear the roar of a lawn mower.

He opened the gate and let himself into the backyard. A big blond man, shirtless and in shorts and work boots, was riding a mower over the huge lawn.

Mopp stood there, uncertain as to what to do. It would have been rude to just ignore him, but the sound of the mower blocked out everything else. And the man might not be happy to be observed without his knowledge.

The man reached the end of the yard and turned the mower with such ease that Mopp had to smile. And then he held his breath, knowing he’d been spotted. He offered a small wave and a half-hearted smile.

The man turned off the mower, dismounted, and crossed to a lawn chair that had a shirt draped over it. “Yes? Can I help you?” He shrugged into the shirt.