Chapter 10

Ike’s next stop would be at Dot’s Diner. He could cook, all right. Many hours in the prison kitchen had seen to that. He could also wash dishes and handle any other task the café might provide. Dot seemed to accept him last night. Maybe she would be willing to hire him, too, if she was back from the rest Marco had mentioned by now. If not, he’d find out when he could speak to her.

* * * *

When Ike got back to Perry’s, dusk was falling. He found Perry sitting at the table in the kitchen, both hands wrapped around a big mug. The deputy looked up when Ike walked in.

As if for the first time, Ike looked the other man over. Perry was a bit above average height and far from husky but gave an impression of solidity. His dark brown hair held reddish highlights and his eyes—they were unique, at least unusual. Hazel, but they never seemed quite the same twice. Damn, but this deputy is one striking looking man…

“Did you have a good walk around town?”