Venable Moss wasn’t up on this mountain mourning his wife.
He was trying to solve her murder.
A sound behind him—not quite a gasp but an audible breath—had Finn spinning, fists cocked. Standing in the doorway, taking in the bewildering room, was the kid.
Dropping his hands to his hips, Finn growled, “What the fuck are you doing here? It’s two in the morning.”
Undaunted, the boy continued to scan the space. When his eyes met Finn’s, he lifted a shoulder, nonchalant. “Still got that sandwich?”
The kid sat at the once-cheery kitchen table and devoured a second PB&J.
“Don’t your parents feed you?” Finn asked.
“I live with my grandpa. He’s been sick,” the boy answered mid-chew.
“What’s your name?”
“Auggie. It’s short for August. I think my mom named me that because it was the month I was born, but Grandpa Bill says it means smart.”
“Well, it’s a good name then because you do seem smart,” Finn said.
“Thanks.” Auggie wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
“It’s pretty late. Your grandpa’s not worried about you?”
“He’s asleep.”
Finn nodded. “I used to sneak out plenty as a kid. Me and my brother got up to all sorts of shit. Sorry. Stuff.”
“You can curse.” Auggie casually remarked. “Grandpa Bill swears like a sailor. That’s what he says, anyway. Shit, fuck, damn, asshole.”
“Easy there, Auggie. I’m a sailor, and that’s a lot of cursing even for me.”
“You’re in the Navy?” Auggie asked.
“I was,” Finn replied.
“Grandpa Bill was a Marine. Are you a hero or anything? Do you have any medals?”
He’d received a Purple Heart. He had never claimed it.
“Nah, just an average Joe.”
“Were you on a boat?”
“A ship, and yes, sometimes. You know the difference between a boat and a ship?”
Auggie shook his head.
“If it can carry a boat, it’s a ship.”
Auggie grabbed a stack of Oreos and shoved them in his pocket. “I better get going. In case Grandpa Bill wakes up.”
Finn nodded. “You live far from here?”
“Nah, Grandpa Bill’s cabin is just off the road past Miss May’s house.”
“Be careful getting home. Don’t let Elvis eat you.”