Page 99 of Rex

“Craig? Is that you?” I ask, and as the last word leaves my mouth, the kitchen door swings open, and Craig walks through it.

“It was you!” I shout, pointing at him.

“What was me?” he asks innocently and a little confused.

“That’s been talking to us,” I answer, but it comes out more like a question.

“Just got here. You’re hearing voices?” he asks.

Lisa and I both nod, and he starts laughing. When he finally stops, he starts walking around the room, looking toward the ceiling and the exposed pipes and beams.

“There’s your ghost,” Craig says while pointing.

Moving to his side, I look up and spot Mac. He gives me a wing-wave, and I breathe in relief that our ghost is just a naughty bird. Mac leaves his perch and lands on the table next to us.

“That was mean, Mac,” I state.

“It was,” he concurs, then lets out a belly laugh.

“How did you knock the glass off the shelf if you were up there, though?” Lisa asks while pointing first to the shelf then to where Mac had been perched.

Mac laughs again before answering like he’s talking to a small child.

“Mac can fly.”

This makes Craig laugh and makes me feel like an idiot.

“Good skill to have, I guess,” Lisa mumbles.

“You ending the game with Axel today?” Craig asks.

I nod, then explain that we’re nervous to enter the room for Church and that I don’t want Rex to get into trouble for me going in there.

Craig nods in understanding, then says, “Hang on. I have a solution for that.”

We wait with Mac while Craig walks away. When he returns, he’s pulling a grumpy, obviously still half-asleep Reeves behind him.

“Tell him what you need. He can enter that room without getting anyone into trouble,” Craig suggests.

I briefly explain what we’re up to and smile when Reeves perks up in interest.

“Let me see what you need hanged,” he states, and I open one of the bags Lisa and I are carrying and pull out a frame.

“What the fuck is that about?” Reeves breathes out before bending over and laughing uncontrollably.

When he can stand upright again, he points a finger at my face and says, “Remind me to never piss you off, and remember, I’m the one who helped you out and withstood whatever comes my way with honor.”

“I’ll remember,” I say solemnly while raising my right hand.

“Make me a cup of coffee, and I’ll get these hung. Be right back,” Reeves says before taking the bags from us and heading into Church.

“Good call, having them put in there. No little eyes to see that messed up stuff,” Craig says with a grin, then fist-bumps me. “See you guys in a couple of hours.”

Craig leaves with Mac on his shoulder, and I make my way to the bar. Looking around, I find everything needed and start a pot of coffee brewing. Once done, I pour three cups and take a seat next to Lisa. When Reeves reappears, he’s grinning like a lunatic.

“I’m not going to ask how you got your hands on those, but I can’t wait to see Axel’s face when we go to Church today. If you have to admit it was me who helped, go ahead. Axel’s overdue to deliver that baby by a day now, so I’m sure I can beat his ass by the time he gets off maternity leave,” Reeves advises.

“Paternity leave,” Lisa corrects.

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