Chapter 42

Meanwhile, Parrish replaced the milk and the cereal. He’d leave for work early and stop at McDonald’s for breakfast. And he’d definitely shop for groceries after work.

* * * *

To celebrate the holiday season, the lobby of the office building sported a huge Christmas tree, decorated not with ornaments but with pots and pots of poinsettias. The maintenance staff was sweeping up any leaves that had fallen.

“Hey!” one of them called. “We’ll be taking this down in a couple of days, but do you want a poinsettia now?”

“Sure! Thanks.” He chose one he liked and that wouldn’t leave a huge gap in the display and tucked it under his arm. This would be a start toward decorating Ransom’s condo.

The building’s receptionist smiled at him. “Good morning, Mr. Rutledge. How was your Christmas?”

“Morning, Bill. It was good, thanks.” Especially after Ransom had called him. “How was yours?”

The man looked away and sighed. “I caught that bitch I’m living with cheating on me.”