Chapter 15

He filled a bucket with water and added a generous dollop of bleach and some dishwashing stuff, the only soap he could find. Plunging an old string mop into the liquid, he went to work on the floor, so gummy his feet tended to stick in spots when he walked across the main area.

When someone knocked on the door, he jumped, banging one knee on the lumpy leg of the rickety table they used for playing cards, sometimes eating, and mostly a place to stack stuff.

“Owww. Son of a bitch.”

He wheeled around to peer through the dusty screen door. When he recognized Alden, he almost lost his cool. What the fuck is he doing here? He’s avoided me like poison lately.

“Can I come in? I think I need to apologize and maybe do some explaining.”

“Door’s unlocked,” Roane responded. He knew he sounded curt and ungracious, but at this point, he wasn’t sure he wanted to get on for another roller coaster ride involving the crane operator. Maintaining a safe distance might be a better plan.