foreclosed upon. “I don’t guess you’ve talked
to Richard?”
“That would be no.”
Octavia had nothing more to add as they wove back through the neighborhood. After they exited the
gate, she pointed in the direction opposite the Interstate. “Turn here.”
“Where are we going?”
“To Richard’s office.”
“He’s there?”
“He’d better hope not.”
Linda studied her sister’s determined profile and the thought crossed her mind that she didn’t relish
being in the middle of a confrontation. But she knew Octavia when she got something in her head, so she
kept quiet and kept driving.
A few minutes later, Octavia directed her to pull into an office park.
From the size of the white one-story building that heralded “Habersham Law Office” in gilded letters on
its front picture window, Richard appeared to be doing well for himself. The exterior of the building
resembled a residence, with a small front porch and plant bed, ringed with perennials. Very homey.
Right down to the “Closed — Please Visit Again Soon” sign posted on the front door.
“Back in next to those trees,” Octavia said, pointing to a spot across the parking lot.
Linda frowned, but did as she asked.
“I’ll be right back,” Octavia said. “How do I get the hound off of me?”
“I’ll get him,” Linda said. “He might need to be walked again.” She alighted and walked around to open
the passenger door. Then she helped Max down — his arthritic legs didn’t let him bounce like he used to.
“I’ll take him for a walk,” Octavia offered. “Hook him up.”
Linda lifted one eyebrow, especially when Octavia removed the scarf around her neck, wrapped it
around her dark hair, and tied it under her chin. With her big, designer sunglasses, her face was almost
completely covered. But she hooked on Max’s leash and handed it to Octavia, along with a plastic bag.
“What’s this for?”
“In case he has to go.”
“Are you insane?” Octavia shoved the bag back into Linda’s hand. “I don’t pick up dog shit.” She
shook the leash. “Come on, you.”
Linda watched bemused as Octavia crossed the rather long parking lot, practically dragging Max behind
her. She approached the office door with composure. She tried the doorknob, but it was obviously locked.
She cupped her hands around her eyes and peered inside. Then, presumably disappointed, Octavia allowed
Max to explore the flower bed.
Linda felt a stab of pity for her high-strung sister — she had to be frustrated beyond belief, yet she was
handling her husband being missing better than Linda thought possible.
A group of teenage boys walked by. Octavia bent over and Linda wondered if her sister had had a
change of heart about cleaning up after Max. Then, as quick as a snake striking, Octavia picked up a brick
and hurled it through the big gilt-lettered window.
Immediately, an alarm sounded. Max began to howl. Octavia pointed a finger to the passing teens,
shouting at them, as if one of them had done it. They looked bewildered. Octavia yanked Max away,
pointing and shouting at the boys. Pedestrians stopped to stare. The teens scattered like ants.
Linda stared in stunned silence as Octavia strode back to the van and climbed inside. It took some time
for her and Max to get settled, then she turned her head toward Linda.
“What?”
“Are you out of your mind?” Linda sputtered. “You could be arrested!”
Octavia untied the scarf and scoffed. “Everyone thinks one of those kids did it.”
“Well, I hope you feel better.”
“I will if Richard shows up.” She offered up a glib smile. “When the alarm goes off, he gets an
automated call on his cell phone. If he’s within driving distance, he’ll show up. Nothing means more to
Richard than his practice.”
Linda pursed her mouth. Good thinking.
They were tucked far enough away from the spectacle that no one would notice them, but still Linda’s
heart pounded. Max
to Richard?”
“That would be no.”
Octavia had nothing more to add as they wove back through the neighborhood. After they exited the
gate, she pointed in the direction opposite the Interstate. “Turn here.”
“Where are we going?”
“To Richard’s office.”
“He’s there?”
“He’d better hope not.”
Linda studied her sister’s determined profile and the thought crossed her mind that she didn’t relish
being in the middle of a confrontation. But she knew Octavia when she got something in her head, so she
kept quiet and kept driving.
A few minutes later, Octavia directed her to pull into an office park.
From the size of the white one-story building that heralded “Habersham Law Office” in gilded letters on
its front picture window, Richard appeared to be doing well for himself. The exterior of the building
resembled a residence, with a small front porch and plant bed, ringed with perennials. Very homey.
Right down to the “Closed — Please Visit Again Soon” sign posted on the front door.
“Back in next to those trees,” Octavia said, pointing to a spot across the parking lot.
Linda frowned, but did as she asked.
“I’ll be right back,” Octavia said. “How do I get the hound off of me?”
“I’ll get him,” Linda said. “He might need to be walked again.” She alighted and walked around to open
the passenger door. Then she helped Max down — his arthritic legs didn’t let him bounce like he used to.
“I’ll take him for a walk,” Octavia offered. “Hook him up.”
Linda lifted one eyebrow, especially when Octavia removed the scarf around her neck, wrapped it
around her dark hair, and tied it under her chin. With her big, designer sunglasses, her face was almost
completely covered. But she hooked on Max’s leash and handed it to Octavia, along with a plastic bag.
“What’s this for?”
“In case he has to go.”
“Are you insane?” Octavia shoved the bag back into Linda’s hand. “I don’t pick up dog shit.” She
shook the leash. “Come on, you.”
Linda watched bemused as Octavia crossed the rather long parking lot, practically dragging Max behind
her. She approached the office door with composure. She tried the doorknob, but it was obviously locked.
She cupped her hands around her eyes and peered inside. Then, presumably disappointed, Octavia allowed
Max to explore the flower bed.
Linda felt a stab of pity for her high-strung sister — she had to be frustrated beyond belief, yet she was
handling her husband being missing better than Linda thought possible.
A group of teenage boys walked by. Octavia bent over and Linda wondered if her sister had had a
change of heart about cleaning up after Max. Then, as quick as a snake striking, Octavia picked up a brick
and hurled it through the big gilt-lettered window.
Immediately, an alarm sounded. Max began to howl. Octavia pointed a finger to the passing teens,
shouting at them, as if one of them had done it. They looked bewildered. Octavia yanked Max away,
pointing and shouting at the boys. Pedestrians stopped to stare. The teens scattered like ants.
Linda stared in stunned silence as Octavia strode back to the van and climbed inside. It took some time
for her and Max to get settled, then she turned her head toward Linda.
“What?”
“Are you out of your mind?” Linda sputtered. “You could be arrested!”
Octavia untied the scarf and scoffed. “Everyone thinks one of those kids did it.”
“Well, I hope you feel better.”
“I will if Richard shows up.” She offered up a glib smile. “When the alarm goes off, he gets an
automated call on his cell phone. If he’s within driving distance, he’ll show up. Nothing means more to
Richard than his practice.”
Linda pursed her mouth. Good thinking.
They were tucked far enough away from the spectacle that no one would notice them, but still Linda’s
heart pounded. Max
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