Chapter 89

He was over at the vending machine again when a hand slipped across his shoulder. Dexter turned to see Shaun and Liz.

“Hey,” Shaun said. “Hear anything yet?”

Dexter shook his head. “No.”

“That’s not unusual,” Liz told him. “They’re probably running tests to make sure everything is okay.”

“How you holdin’ up?” Shaun asked.

“I don’t…” His voice felt pinched inside his throat. “I dunno. Not so good.”

Shaun swung an arm over his shoulders and gave him a hug. At the same time, Liz pat him on the back before stepping outside to make some phone calls.

“Listen, Dex,” Shaun said. “I’m sorry we didn’t call to tell you what happened. That wasn’t right.”

“No, it’s…it’s okay.”

“No, it isn’t.” Shaun stepped in front of him to put his hands on his shoulders. “We tried to convince him to tell you or to at least let us, but…”

“I get it,” Dexter replied, hoping Shaun couldn’t hear the hurt that gathered in his chest. “You were just respecting Colin. And he…well.”