She chuckled. “Please don’t think you’d be the first person to lose a child in a mall. But seriously, I left her with you because you’re more than capable. And regardless of her current attitude, you’re her favorite person. Have a little single dad fun on the side.”

John’s mouth twisted in mock-disgust. “I don’t know what you think ‘single dad fun’ looks like, but I’ll take your advice under consideration.”

“Can you at least tell me what she looks like?”

“I’m not getting into it.”

“Ugh, you’re no fun,” Jessi pouted.

“I hate to let you go, Jess...”

“Yeah, yeah. I get the picture.”

“I love you, sis. Stay safe.”

“Love you too. Give Becca a kiss for me.”

He hung up and checked the time. Victoria would be here soon. John snatched up the spreadsheet and carried it to the checkout counter. “Here you are, Martha.”

“Didn’t think you’d find it in that mess,” she said without looking up from her book.

John raised a brow. “Well I did.”

“You need to let maintenance in there and clean.”

He pressed his lips together in a thin line. “Yep.”

“I don’t know how you can get any work done.”

“Right,” John ignored her and pressed on. “Martha, if a woman comes in asking for me, could you be a dear and direct her to my disaster-zone office?”

“Same gal from the other night?” Martha asked with a ghostly smile. She glanced up from her novel for the first time. “Yeah, sure. I’ll send her your way.”

Martha Radcliff was a tough old bird who wasn’t rattled by anything that came her way. Whether it was a belligerent homeless man, a “can I speak to your manager” haircut, or Mr. Wegman’s erratic demands, Martha remained unfazed. Rather than argue with her, John turned on his heel and walked back to his office. He was on edge alright.

He threw himself in his chair and swiveled away from his desk, facing the bookshelves behind him. Usually, a good book could steady his frantic thoughts. If he could lose himself in someone else’s story, his knee bouncing would cease, his fingers wouldn’t worry a random thread on his shirt.