Derek heard Joe’s laughter and smiled. At least he seems to be relaxing a bit. This has to be hard on him, trying to figure out if I’ve got some ulterior motive for letting him be here, given what he went through. I know I’d wonder if it were me.
He returned his attention to what he was doing only to pause when the door opened and Joe said, “Is it okay for me to get a book?”
“I told you it was, so have at it.”
Joe crossed to the shelves, Derek got back to work, and all was quiet for a few minutes. Then Joe asked, “What are you doing?”
“Background checks for one of my clients.”
“Oh. Like seeing if someone who wants a job has any, what do they call it, wants and warrants against him?”
“That, and confirming he, or she, worked where they said they did on their application, or looking for
