The next morning as the sun came up over the horizon, I bent to pick up a star-shaped rock from the sand. I hadn’t seen one like that in a while. It would be a nice addition to my collection. As I turned it over in my hand, a voice behind me said, “You paid me too much.” I straightened and turned to see Murphy standing there, his eyes red and crusty. He must have just woken up and rushed out here. “No, I didn’t,” I countered. “It was p*****t due for work performed. Great work, I might add. Thank you.” I stuck the rock in my pocket and started walking again. He matched his stride to mine and we remained that way for a mile or so. “You leaving today?” I asked, keeping my tone deliberately casual. Out of the corner of my eye, I spied Murphy rubbing the back of his neck. “The guy I was wi