Page 31 of In Cold Blood

Noah shrugged. “Whatever, it’s your place.”

He watched her pull out a small tin and flip it open. It was odd to see her go down that road. He remembered her as a health-conscious person. Had the job worn her down? Or maybe this was just the simple pleasures of life. She tapped one of the short, thin cigars on the case, then lit it. The end glowed hot before she blew smoke out.

“About my brother. You think Dax knows something?”

“Listen, I can’t say for sure, Noah. Don’t hold me to it or mention I told you. But it would be a good place to start. However, I don’t think you can get involved, can you? Conflict of interest and all.”

He wanted to roll his eyes.

In theory. Yes. However, there was still a chance he might not be barred from investigating but they might ask him to take a back seat. His knowledge of the area could be seen as valuable. Ultimately, he would need to get Sheriff Roberts’ approval first and then he would likely have to run it by the State Attorney’s Office for a final decision. But again, that was if he was operatingside by side. He had a feeling that he would be flying solo on this one.

“I’m planning on seeing Sheriff Roberts tomorrow,” he said, ambling over and taking a seat across from her. “But if all else fails… you can.”

She froze with the beer bottle up to her lips, then lowered it slowly. “Oh no, I’m not getting involved.”

“You already are.”

“I gave you a place to stay. That’s all.”

“You must have known I would open that lock.”

There was a pregnant pause as if she was chewing it over.

“It’s too dangerous, Noah. Okay. Read my lips. Leave it alone.”

He didn’t reply, but obviously, the way he looked at her answered that question.

She scoffed and leaned forward, setting the bottle down. “You are as stubborn as he was when I told him the same thing.”

9

Awet sloppy tongue lapped his face on Wednesday morning.

Noah grimaced as he opened his eyes to the sight of Axel looming over him, an imposing ball of fur, panting hard and drooling. “Oh, man. Axel. C’mon.” The dog slobbered over his face. “Okay, okay, I’m getting up,” he said as he looked off toward the rear of the house, his eyes stinging, his throat dry, and his mind still in a haze.

Axel barked and scratched furiously at the rear French doors.

Noah rolled off the couch. His bare feet padded across a slew of paperwork he’d been poring over the night before. He pulled the doors wide and Axel shot out, tearing around the yard before relieving himself. Noah stepped onto the cool deck. He yawned and stretched, looking off toward his neighbor’s place where he could hear the faint strain of music. Dire Straits, “Money for Nothing.” He squinted and noticed Ed was working out on a set of bars, hoisting himself up and down in an upright press-up. His face was toward him. All he was wearing wasshorts and a pair of Nikes. His legs widened to a stretch before he brought them together and hopped off the bars like an Olympic gymnast.

Holy cow.If he was able to do that in his early seventies, that gave Noah hope. His fitness regime needed a major overhaul. As of late, it was more cardio. It was a far cry from his years in the Marines when he was in shipshape condition. After getting out, he’d kind of let himself go — what with dealing with PTSD and the end of his marriage.

“Morning, Noah!” Ed hollered. “I’ve been up for hours. Got my laps in, worked my upper body, and now I’m going for a run. You want to join me?”

Noah yawned again and waved him off. “Ah, I’m good. You go ahead. I’ve got things to do.”

“Nonsense. We’ve all got things to do. If you don’t take care of that body of yours, you won’t be topside for long. Put your sneakers on. Let’s go.” Maybe it was like hearing the long-ago echo of his drill instructors, but Noah gave him a thumbs-up and told him he would be over in a couple of minutes.

Inside, he groaned, contemplating moving somewhere else. The last thing he needed was some jarhead reliving the glory days vicariously through him.

Still, after his comment last night about drugs, and the material Noah had thumbed through so far, maybe a run might be a good thing. It would give him a chance to ply him for more information. If Luke hadn’t shared much with anyone else, perhaps he’d confided in Ed? Noah glanced at his watch; it was a little after seven. There was plenty of time, and perhaps a good run was what he and the dog needed. It always gave him a clear mind and after the confusing mess of reports he’d waded through the night before, he could use a clear mind.

After donning a fresh T-shirt and a pair of black track bottoms, he was slipping into his sneakers when Ed appeared inthe doorway all brawn and gusto, slapping his hands together. “Let’s go, son, I’m cooling down here.”

Noah chuckled, snagging up the dog leash and attaching it to Axel.

“Are you like this every morning?”

The question seemed to confound Ed. “Why wouldn’t I be?”