Chapter 29
Merrick opened the door to his apartment with a key the landlady had given to him. She had believed his story of being mugged, and why shouldn’t she? No doubt, he looked awful. He sure felt that way.
Inside, he locked the door, then put the key on the end table to the left of the sofa. Before him, sunlight flooded through the glass doors that led to the balcony. The wood floors were uneven and in the winter, it was uncomfortably cold in there unless he had a fire going, but the place had a splendid view of the Lake Maren. Folley’s Marina was across the street and Sunflower Grill was next door. With the open floor plan of the apartment, he could look at the living room before him and the kitchen on his left. The space there felt free and had always made him feel calm, that day
