say. Then he got the broom from the closet.
Grasping the bristles, he tapped on the ceiling.
Four- seven- two, you want treats?
When the tapping started a few moments later, Royce grinned.
“Rice Krispies Treats.”
As the tapping continued, he scribbled down the pattern. It translated to, Homemade.
He chuckled. “Picky, aren’t you?”
But he had to admit, the idea of humoring the kid appealed to him—harmless entertainment to distract both of them.
Royce checked his kitchen cupboards, just to make sure marshmallows hadn’t magically appeared. They hadn’t. By the time he walked to the corner store and back, he wondered why he’d decided to do this. After the first batch tanked because the bowl kept scooting and he couldn’t stir fast enough, he was ready to admit defeat. But dammit, he’d do it no matter what. It was, after all, a simple chore.
And finally, four hours later, he stood outside apartment number 472. He knocked and waited, balancing the covered plate on his left forearm.
He knocked again.
No sound of movement, no strains of a television program. He was too late.
Royce set the paper plate outside the door, trying to ignore his disappointment. It was only a silly game to pass the time.
CHAPTER TWO
KATY BREATHED a sigh of relief as she unlocked the apartment door. It had been one intense Wednesday.
“Hi, Mom.” Jake glanced up from his handheld video game.
“Hi, honey. I missed Sally again?”
“Uh-huh. She left five minutes ago.”
“I don’t like you being here alone, but I guess five minutes won’t hurt.” She set her purse and keys on the table next to the door and went to give Jake a kiss on the top of his head. “Still, I should probably call her.”
“Sally said it was important for her mom to go for dial—um, to get her blood filtered.”
“Well, her mother’s dialysis is important. But it’s important for you to stay safe, too.”
“Aw, nothing’s going to happen in five minutes.”
“You’re probably right. But I want to make sure it’s not going to turn into more than that.” Between school and her ill mother, Sally had too much on her plate. But Katy’s first concern had to be Jake. “I’ll call her later.”
“She’s got class tonight. You don’t want to get her in trouble at school.”
“I forgot she had class. I’ll call her tomorrow from work.”
Katy went to the kitchen and retrieved water from the fridge. The chill of the bottle was welcome against her palm. It was only March, but in Phoenix the weather was already warm enough for sundresses.
Jake came into the kitchen, grabbed water of his own and sat on a stool at the breakfast bar.
“How’d the math test go?” she asked.
“I got an A.”
“Good job.” She gave him a high five. “You’re on a roll.”
“You want one of these Rice Krispies Treats, Mom?” Jake peeled the plastic wrap from a paper plate she hadn’t noticed.
“Did Sally make these?” She bit into one, enjoying the sweet, sticky goodness.
Jake bit into one, too. “Uh-huh,” was his muffled reply.
THE REDHEAD barely glanced at Royce when they passed in the parking lot. Though she’d seemed distracted, he’d hoped for some spark of recognition.
Shrugging philosophically, he settled the grocery sack more securely on his hip and headed toward his apartment. Once inside, he went through the now-familiar process of making Rice Krispies Treats.
Royce swore under his breath as the mixing bowl scooted across the counter. He half suspected his upstairs neighbor was on his physical therapist’s payroll.
The first batch of snacks had been made only after he’d sat on the floor and braced the bowl between his shoes while he combined the marshmallow mixture with puffed rice.
But there was something almost barbaric about cooking that way. Now, he kept the bowl braced between his stomach and left arm so it wouldn’t slide all over the counter.
Damn.
His injured arm was still sensitive to pressure. He wiped his face against his shoulder. Who knew a fairly simple task could be such a workout? A year ago, he probably would have laughed at the idea. But now he was seeing things a whole lot differently.
It took at least four times longer than it should have, but finally, he had the treats cut and on a plate. He’d left the first plate two days ago. A coded rave review had come through yesterday. And this morning, a short request for more.
Glancing at his watch, he waited for the afternoon transmission. Three forty-five came and went. No message. What did that mean?
He heard footsteps upstairs.
Royce got out the broomstick and tapped on the ceiling. “U there?”
No answer.
He tapped again and still nothing.
Maybe he’d only heard one set of footsteps instead of two and the boy was home alone. And this wouldn’t be the first time he had been left on his own. What if the kid was hurt or something?
A man of action, Royce grabbed the plate of snacks and headed out the door.
Katy grated cheese for enchiladas with her phone wedged between her chin and shoulder as she talked. “Yes, Mom, I’m concerned, too. I’ll talk to Sally about it and make sure she only leaves five minutes before you pick up Jake when I’m out of town. But she’s worked for me for three years. I trust her.”
A knock sounded at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Jake hollered.
Katy dropped the cheese, the grater and nearly the phone. She managed to get the speaker covered before she called, “No you don’t, Jake.”
“Aw, Mom, that’s a silly rule.”
Katy said, “Mom, I’ll have to call you back.” She clicked her phone shut and hurried to the door.
“It’s probably just someone selling magazines.” Jake crossed his arms over his chest, a gesture so reminiscent of Katy’s late father she had to smile. “I can tell ’em to get lost as well as you can.”
Ruffling
