I learned more about the officer within the next hour, continuing to drink tea with him while the night grew long, cold, and the fire continued to crackle with flames. He had worked under Chief Austin DeBare for the last six years. There were two other officers in Channing: Stacey Mertile and Dean McBride. Noah had a two-bedroom Tudor in downtown Channing that needed some heavy repairs.
“The bathroom looks like something out of a horror movie, and the kitchen isn’t far behind it. I bought it two years ago and want to fix it up. I’m hoping to have it fully rehabbed in the next few years.”
“Are you handy with tools?” I asked.
“I am, a little. Stacey said she would help me. She builds dressers and beds out of walnut and old shipping pallets in her spare time, which tells me she can install
