Chapter 41
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Leonard
Leaning against the back passenger door, I take another breath, the hot air clouds as it mixes with the winter night.
“Everything okay, Doctor?”
I open my eyes at Duke’s voice.
The old gas station owner stands near the back of my Jag, wringing his hands.
“Sorry.” I apologize, pushing off the door.
“Nothing to apologize for, son. I just thought you’d head straight off after paying.”
I give a small smile. “Just needed a minute.”
“I hear it was bad.”
More than you will ever know.
I keep the thought to myself. “Could have been worse,” I mutter instead. And it could have been. I could have lost three people today instead of just one.
The thought makes me feel sick.
Opening the driver’s side door, I sink into my seat.
“Shelby’s a good kid.”
She’s twenty-three, but I don’t correct him.
“No one’s come by and asked yet, but if they did, I’d tell them that Cooper was here midday filling up his car.” Stepping into the gap of my open door, he lowers his voice, “Had his laptop open with a motel in Rowland up. It’s about twenty minutes south on the I-95.”
Stepping back, the older man tucks his hands into his overalls and shrugs carelessly, “Maybe I saw the screen, maybe I didn’t.”
Turning my head slowly, I catch his gaze. “Your eyes weren’t too good at your last physical.”
“No, no, they weren’t.” He shakes his head.
At that moment, I know I don’t have to worry about the cops, not from Duke anyway. He’s a family man, and he understands.
Nodding, I reach to close the door.
“Have a good night, Duke.”