Chapter 21I wander back to the emptiness of my apartment. The air smells dank from a clingy humidity and spilled beer. I draw a cool shower and stay under the low-pressure water until all the bad thoughts of the day swirl down the drain, and my head is clearer.
My cell phone bings as I step out into the bedroom, drying off. I snatch it from the top of the unmade bed and ignore caller ID before answering it, hoping it is Steve.
My luck runs dry when I hear Officer Keller’s sullen voice rambling on the line, his voice far away as if he’s talking to himself or somebody else. Loud music blares in the background. I can barely understand him when he comes on the line. “Ballinger?”
“Yeah.”
“Can you hear me?”
“Yes. What’s up?”
“Jack? Can you hear me?”
“Jesus. Yes!”
He grumbles, “Hello?”
I
