12
Bear stood alone in the main lobby with his back toward Austin, engrossed in the countless black and white photos adorning the walls. As Austin approached, Bear turned his broad shoulders halfway around and stared at him. The big guy smiled; his eyes were red and puffy.
“Morning,” he said in a raspy voice.
Austin nodded. “Hey.”
“Sleep?”
He shook his head. “Barely. You?”
“Naw. I tried.”
A door shut at the end of the hall, and Skylar strolled down with her hands thrust in a blue Tizona hooded sweatshirt. She yawned and managed a grin.
“Morning, guys.” She glanced at her watch. “Are we it?”
“Looks like it,” Bear said. “Does that make us smarter or dumber?”
Austin snorted. “I’d rather not know.”
They sat in silence. The grandfather clock ticked. Skylar covered her mouth as she ya
