Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
“But...”
“But nothing,” he scolded. “You’re no good to anyone like this. Get some sleep, and we’ll pick this back up in a few hours.”
I didn’t bother arguing. I knew he was right, so I got up and headed down to my room. My head barely touched my pillow before I was out, and I was out for hours. I probably would’ve slept for hours longer if I hadn’t heard Rooster shout, “I told you that seal wasn’t gonna work! Now, I’m gonna have to replace the whole damn manifold.”
“It would’ve worked if you hadn’t been in such a fucking rush!” Torch roared back. “You didn’t give the epoxy time to set.”
“Nobody’s got that kind of time.”
“It’s gonna take a hell of a lot longer to replace the manifold than it would’ve taken that epoxy to set.”
I was tempted to shout curses at them and tell them to shut the fuck up, but I just lay there and listened as they made their way down the hall. I waited until I heard them go out the back door, then I got up and went to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and threw some cold water on my face; then I headed back down to the work room. When I walked in, I expected to find Big working at his desk, but he was nowhere to be found.
I walked over to the desk, and everything was exactly the way I’d left it. Big hadn’t added anything to it. As far as I could tell, he hadn’t even looked at the files I’d put together—which meant he thought it was all a waste of time. While that stung, it wasn’t enough to keep me from continuing on with my investigation.
I took out Big’s original file and went down to the next name. I did a complete scan of Daniel Marquis and everyone he was connected to, then moved on to the next name and the next. I spent hours upon hours searching for something that might be worth mentioning to Big or Cotton, but sadly, I found nothing.
It was late and I was starting to feel the effects of my exhaustion, but I wasn’t ready to give up. I located the next name and was about to dive in when there was a tap at the door. When I looked up, I found my mother’s worried eyes staring back at me. “Hey, stranger. How’s it going?”
“It’s going.” I eased back from my desk as I asked, “What are you doing here?”
“Griffin had something to take care of, so I came with him. Thought it’d give me a chance to come by and check in with you.” She stepped into the room as she told me, “I know you think I’m silly, but I haven’t seen you in a few days and wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine. Just been busy.”
“I can see that.” She gave me one of her mothering looks. “Looks like you’ve been at this for a while.”
“I have been, and I’m gonna be at it for a while longer.”
“Well, can I get you something? A drink or a bite to eat?”
“Thanks, but I’m good.” I didn’t want her to worry, so I told her, “I’m gonna work another hour, and then, I’m gonna call it a night.”
“Okay, then I won’t keep you.” She walked over and gave me a tight hug, then kissed me on the forehead as she said, “I miss you, kiddo. I need to spend some time with you soon, okay?”
I nodded, then promised, “Soon.”
She studied me for a moment, then turned and started out of the room. “I’m gonna hold you to that.”
“I know you will.”
I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her close the door behind her. I was a grown man, fully capable of taking care of myself, but my wonderful mother would always be my mother. It was in her nature to take care of the people she loved. I felt a little guilty that I hadn’t told her about Elsie. It wasn’t that I didn’t want her to know.
I did.
But with everything that was going on, I didn’t have the time or the patience to answer a million questions. So, I would wait and tell her all about it when things settled down. I just had to make sure I told her before someone else beat me to it.
I worked for another hour, then decided to call it a night and headed back to my room. I was tempted to stop by and check in with Elsie, but it was already after one. I figured she was already in bed, so I pulled out my phone and sent her a quick text.
Me:
Hey. Sorry I’ve been MIA.
It was a long night and even longer day.
Hope you had a good one.
Once I was done, I continued down to my room and straight into the bathroom. I took a long, hot shower and put on some clean boxers, then crashed into bed. I hadn’t been lying there long when my phone chimed with a message. I quickly grabbed it from the side table and smiled when I looked down at the screen.