Chapter 6

Lori went downstairs to finish fixing the sandwiches while Jack cleaned up a little before coming down for lunch.The bread was already out,slathered with mayo and mustard,so she didn’t bother putting away the slices she’d set aside for Brandt.If she knew him at all,she knew he’d be back soon enough,and he’d want something to eat whenever he returned.Sometimes all he needed was to get away from Jack for a while,blow off a little steam,nothing more.He’d take a walk around the block and be back,ready to finish the craft room or,more likely,start arguing about something else before long.

Sure enough,as she was assembling the last of the sandwiches,she heard the knob turn on the kitchen door.She glanced over her shoulder as Brandt entered,his hair now tamped down into a calmer style,his cheeks flushed from some sort of exercise.A hard run,maybe,or a bike ride.“Hey,you,”she said gently,the way she would address a skittish animal she didn’t want to spook.“Feeling better?”