Page 34 of Dangerous December
“Shouldn’t happen at my age, but there you are. I got my white hair by fifty, and I even needed a hearing aid when I hit forty-nine—just like my dad.” Frank gave Dev a piercing look. “But I’d guess things aren’t so easy for you either, eh?”
I’m finehad been his constant refrain since coming to Agate Creek, and he started to say it again, then stopped, all too aware that Frank had just witnessed his meltdown a moment ago and would know it was a lie.
“You’re hoping to return to active service?”
“I...was.” Saying the words aloud once again made them even more painful. More real. “The VA says I have permanent hearing loss and a bum shoulder. I won’t ever qualify again for my old unit.”
“I don’t suppose you want to ride a desk somewhere.”
“No, sir.”
“Just Frank. And I don’t blame you. You’ve had to see and do things most people couldn’t bear...but leaving that adrenaline rush behind would seem empty, somehow.”
Frank stepped up on the sidewalk and studied the front of the Walker Building. “I always admired the architecture alongHawthorne. Could you show me the inside of your building, if you’ve got a minute? I haven’t been inside for years.”
Relieved at Frank’s tactful change of topic, Dev rounded the bumper and went to unlock the front door, then ushered him inside.
The older man moved to a wide square of sunlight beaming through the windows on the second floor and turned slowly, taking it all in.
“I always loved this building. Nice and open in front, clear up to the rafters, but the back half will give you extra space on that second floor. And it’s mid-1800s architecture is just right for this historic district.”
Dev nodded.
“I think there was a lawyer’s office in here, some time back. A person could come in here and put in offices or a store in no time flat.”
Frank strolled through the main floor.
“Build some shelving, order merchandise, and you’d have a start at some income—then the whole winter to finish it right. Looks like you did a fine job clearing it out.”
“Thanks to the youth group at church. And Beth,” Dev added with a short laugh, “who wouldn’t let me say no to them.”
Frank pinned Dev with a measuring look. “She’s a good woman.”
Dev knew where the old guy was heading, and changed the subject. “Have you ever seen the lower level?”
“Can’t say as I have. Is it just storage?”
“Not anymore.” Dev led the way to the back of the store and punched a button. “There’s a nice, wide flight of stairs, but we’ll take the freight elevator down.”
When they reached the lower level, Dev flipped on a bank of switches. Light filled the cavernous, empty space. The walls were sandstone block, the floor smooth stone.
The youth group had helped him remove the last of the junk down here as well. When he headed for the series of garage doors forming much of the east wall, Dev felt a familiar tug of excitement.
He opened them one by one, letting in a rush of crisp fall air. “Take a look.”
Frank joined him, and when he reached the open doors, his jaw dropped in awe. “This is beautiful.”
Agate Creek widened along the stretch behind the block, sunlight sparkling in eddies and swirls as it danced around several boulders and swooped under a downed tree.
Massive old oaks, lacy birch, and aspens on both sides of the creek blazed ruby and orange and vivid yellow, all the more striking against the backdrop of granite cliffs rising behind them on the far side of the creek.
Frank moved to the edge of the creek and sat on a boulder the size of a sofa. “So...what do you plan to do with this place?”
“No plans.”
Frank grinned. “Don’t tell me you haven’t given it a thought.”
Dev shrugged. “I should sell it, when I take possession.”
