Chapter 30

As he drove back, the first rain of the season began. He loved the rain. It started first as a mist, thena steady light rain, and then the sky let loose with a heavy rainstorm. Even with his wipers on full, he had to slow to forty miles per hour. As he entered San Jose city limits, he spied a figure barely off theroad on the freeway’s shoulder. He hit the brakes. Was that his new neighbor James? He walked in the heavy rain, clearly drenched. Regardless if it was or wasn’t his neighbor, the man needed help.

The man reached a new BMW as Kenji pulled to the front of the car. He got out with his umbrella and headed back.

“Hey, you need help.”

The man fumbled with his key fob to unlock the door. Their gazes met.

“Hey, you’re my neighbor, James. I’m Kenji, remember?”

James shivered and nodded.

“What happened?”