Chapter 5

Buttering the two slices of toast, he took them and a mug of fresh coffee to the scarred table and sat down. Sleep was already tugging at him, but he’d eat this bit first.

Before he was done, soft footsteps heralded Ike’s arrival. The lean man halted in the doorway, watched the two dogs eat for a few seconds, and then stepped fully into the room. He was barefooted, although he had put his pants and shirt on. “Can I have some of that good-smelling coffee?”

Perry laughed. “You can if you’re able, as my old English teacher used to say. Mugs in the cupboard above the pot. Hungry? I can scramble a few eggs and maybe find some chorizo.”

“I’m okay,” Ike said. “You’ve done enough for me. I need to get myself together and out of your way.”

“No need to rush. I mean, where you going to go and what’ll you do when you get there?”

Perry could see the other man thinking. Finally, he shook his head.