Chapter 24

I decided to leave any paperwork for the morrow and left early, for once. Some days I felt my age, and today was one of those. The store didn’t open until eleven on Saturdays, so I’d have a little time to myself in the morning.

When I arrived at my house, I was surprised to see Murphy’s bike out front. He was sitting on the steps leading up to the front door. He stood when I approached him.

“Austin,” he began, shifting from one leg to the other as he tried and failed to hold my gaze.

“Murphy. I see you’re still here.” I unlocked the door and led the way inside.

“Yeah.” He sat at the kitchen table while I made coffee. I wasn’t really hungry. “Been talking to Leonard.”

I set the cups on the table between us and sat. “Help any?”