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Danny’s supper following Edgar Ball’s visit is green gluck that looks like liquified snot and tastes a little like V8.

If, that is, V8 tasted nasty.

He gets it all down anyway, because for the first time since waking up in the hospital he’s actually hungry.

In truth for the first time since his trip to Gunnel, in Dart County.

Things have changed.

He feels saved.

At nine o’clock a nurse comes in with a couple of pain pills.

He tells her he doesn’t need them, at least not yet.

She raises her eyebrows.

“Really? Will you be able to sleep?”

“I think so.

Leave them on the night table, in case I want them later.”

She does that, checks his bandages for seepage, finds none, and wishes him a good night.

Danny wishes her the same.

His stomach hurts, but the pain is down to a dull throb unless he makes a sudden move.

He grabs the TV controller, switches around through a few channels, then turns it off.

He thinks about Edgar Ball saying he could probably have his old job back if he wants it.

The idea actually hurts.

There are people in Manitou who are always going to believe he’s guilty of something.

Gossip is like radioactive waste.

It has a long and toxic half-life.

Stevie sent him an email with attachments to several rentals in Nederland and Longmont.

They would have been far out of his reach a week ago, but if Edgar’s right about how he, Danny, might get a little payday…

He’s still thinking about that when he drifts into the first good sleep he’s had since the night before he dreamed that inexplicable dream.

That lasts until 1:20 AM, when the second dream begins.