Chapter 97

“He does look like he’s sleeping,” Josh said.

“Yes…” Mopp’s eyes suddenly welled with tears. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice wavering. “He was a good man.”

“He was good to you, Mopp.”

“He was.”

“And in the end, he was good to Tom.”

“Excuse me?”

Josh shook his head. “It’s not important, not anymore.”

Mopp leaned against him. “Mr. Jackson gave me a job when I was just a dumb, inexperienced kid who needed whatever work he could get. Daddy had just gotten laid off, you see, and Jim Bob…” He sighed. “He never could hold down a job for very long.”

Josh didn’t even hesitate. He just slung an arm around Mopp’s shoulder. Tommy was so going to kill him, but the boy needed comforting.

“Come on.” They turned to where Miss Becca and her brother and brother-in-law sat on the low-slung sofa.

They murmured a few words of condolence, offered handshakes and hugs, and gave another glance around the room.

“Do you see anyone you don’t know?”