Chapter 12

November 1, 2010. Two hours after sunset.

Jim passed the time between the call and his guests’ arrival by walking his dog and organizing the shelves in his living room. He was too nervous to concentrate on anything more intellectually challenging. A few minutes before the agreed-upon time, he took Dori to the backyard and left her outside, with a fresh bully stick to keep her occupied. She gave him an injured look when he went back inside and locked the swinging dog door, relegating her to the yard.

“It’s for the best, girl.”

She didn’t look as if she believed him, but she started chewing the bully stick. Few things would keep her long from her favorite treat.

Jim went back through the kitchen and into the living room. He started for the...

Please subscribe to keep reading.