Chapter 14
Jim lives on the third floor. As he leads the way upstairs, Alan texts Brooks. Hope UR home & locked in. Going 2B late. Don’t wait up. As he hits SEND, Jim calls back, “Texting your nephew?”
“Yeah.” Alan laughs. “He should be home by now but I know he isn’t in bed. Probably on the phone with his little chickie.”
At the next landing, Jim grabs the railing and spins around to smile at Alan. “Hope he isn’t waiting for me to pick him up at the mall.”
Alan returns the smile, but it feels false on his face. Don’t worry—there’s no need for him to be out there late tonight.
Aloud, he says, “Well, they went to the cinema, but her mother drove so I’m sure she took him home straightaway. Cheeky bugger’s just ignoring me, not texting back.”
From a few steps above, Jim calls down, “Mea
