Chapter 10

When he got to the mayor’s office, his secretary said Tom was available and waiting for him. Thanking her, he went into the office, closing the door behind him.

Tom was at his desk, his back to John as he stared out the window. When he swung the high-backed chair around John resisted a gasp of shock. Tom Dunn looked as if he’d lost at least twenty pounds since John had last seen him. His face was gaunt, his hands almost skin and bones. His shirt hung loosely on him, making John wonder if the rest of his body was as emaciated.

Tom looked at him with a sad smile. “It seems my…adventure…has taken its toll on me.”

“I’d say so.” John walked over, sitting in the chair beside the desk. “Aren’t you sleeping, or eating?”

“Yes and no. I sleep like the dead but I don’t feel rested when I wake up. Food isn’t appealing. Oh I eat, but only enough to keep Maggie from going ballistic. Not like the day you were at the house when I couldn’t seem to stuff my face fast enough.”