Read Online In The Absence Of Light by Adrienne Wilder - Free Book Online Page B

nose.
    I hadn’t seen them until now, since he kept his head down most of the time and the scars were faint. But I’d seen enough beatings in my time to know the kind of marks they left behind. Morgan either healed really well or had a damn good plastic surgeon.
    I traced the one leading from his eyebrow to his cheek. “Who hurt you?”
    “A mistake.” He pushed my hand away. I didn’t try to stop him again when he dropped his chin and averted his eyes.
    “Does that mistake have a name?”
    “Why do you care?”
    I didn’t have a clue, but there was no denying the urge to hunt the asshole down and make them bleed.
    “Well? Does he?”
    “He’s in jail so it doesn’t matter.”
    “What happened?”
    Morgan’s wayward hand returned to his temple, and his fingers fluttered. “I’m really tired so I’m gonna go home and get some rest. Can you ask Jessie to let Sheriff Parks know I’ll come to the station after I sleep for a few hours?” Just like that, he’d shut me out.
    “Sure.”
    Morgan stood, easing his weight from one foot to the next.
    “Did you hurt your ankle?”
    “No, just stepped on something sharp a few days ago.”
    White socks covered his feet and the strap connected to the sole of his flip flop made a crease between his first and second toe.
    “Getting a bit chilly to wear those.”
    I think he looked down, but it was hard to tell.
    “I’m gonna go. Marty is supposed to meet me at the corner store.” Morgan bundled up his torn earbud wires and stuffed them in his pocket.  On his way out, he took off his apron and hung it on the hook next to the door.
    He hesitated for a moment with his hand on the knob, but before I could ask him if there was anything else, he was gone.
     
    ********
     
    Except for a few gawkers too drunk to drive home, the bar was empty. Cops tend to have that effect on places like Toolies. Even if there’s nothing illegal going on, people will get nervous and jump ship.
    I met Jessie in the parking lot. He leaned against the hood of a patrol car with one foot on the bumper while he talked to a blond-haired cop who was almost as wide as he was tall.
    “Grant, this is Deputy Patrick Harold.”
    We shook.
    “You saw what happened?” Deputy Harold took out his notebook.
    “Sure. The truck driver assaulted Morgan. Twice. The second time he defended himself.”
    Patrick chuckled. “I’m on your side. This is just standard.”
    I kicked at a piece of gravel. “My apologies.”
    “No problem.”
    “So what now?” Jessie said.
    Patrick put his notebook in his front pocket. “I charge your esteemed patron with assault. Convince him that it’s a wise choice not to sue, otherwise he could wind up in jail.”
    “What do you mean could wind up in jail?” I said.
    “If I book him, he’s more apt to retaliate by getting lawyers involved.”
    “And I already told you I don’t care,” Jessie said. “Let him try.”
    “You sure?”
    “Yeah. I have a really good lawyer and Morgan’s been through enough.” The way Jessie said it made me think of the scars.
    Patrick and Jessie shook hands. “Call me if you need anything.”
    “Morgan wanted me to tell you he was tired and to let the sheriff know he’d come to the station tomorrow to talk,” I said.
    “We won’t need to talk to him.” The deputy got in his cruiser. “There’s more than enough witnesses so he doesn’t need to worry himself. Tell him to rest.”
    Jessie moved off the hood, and the deputy drove off.
    A cab pulled into the parking lot, and two of the bar flies helped each other into the back.
    “How’s he doing?” Jessie said.
    “He’s says he’s okay, but honestly I think he’s shook up more than he’s letting on.”
    “He is. Morgan hates it when people see him like that.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “His reaction. You saw it. He shuts down. It’s hard to watch, and he knows it.”
    “Do you think we should call someone?”
    “Tony said he offered and Morgan said