Page 18 of The Liar's Reckoning

He better not get any ideas, but if I’m reading him right—he’s got plenty.

“Good morning,” I force out. “Where would you like all this?”

He drags his gaze away from my face and examines the stacked delivery boxes on the dolly. “Oh. What is it?”

“Not my job to open everything,” I tell him.

“Right. Would you mind bringing them into the living room?”

“No problem.”

I wheel the packages down the hallway, turning into the living area—a sea of opened boxes, half-stocked bookshelves, and other random items that haven’t found a home yet. “Looks like it’s gonna be a long weekend,” I say. It’s what I would say to anyone in this circumstance, I think.

“How’s your mother?”

I stiffen, taking a slow glance over my shoulder at him.

His emerald eyes are earnest. Concerned.

“Fine,” I say. “She’s hanging in there. How’s married life?”

“It’s good.”

“Congratulations,” I tell him. “On winning the election.”

“Oh. Yeah, thank you. I look forward to serving…” His words trail off, and silence drops like lead.

“Anyway,” I say, finally sliding their boxes off the dolly. “Try not to be one of the bad guys.”

“Bad how?”

“I don’t really need to explain government overreach to you, do I?”

“Oh, you meant…”

“What’d you think I meant?”

“I’m not sure.”

Finished unloading the boxes, I grab the dolly and turn to face him. “Look, for now I work nights here. Twelve-hour shifts, three nights a week. Sometimes I pick up a fourth. I might be moving to days in a few months—just so you’re not caught off guard again.”

“Okay.”

“And no one here knows about my other job. I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Of course.”

“Including your wife,” I add.

“Why would I tell her?”

I shrug. “Why wouldn’t you? I don’t know you. I just needed to say it.”

“It’s my secret, too,” he says.

“Understood. Have a great weekend. Welcome to the building. I’ll see myself out.”

“Silas—”

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