Why was the town cop interested in Danny? Weren’t they on the same side?

Whatever. Obviously the guy enjoyed jerking people around. Today, Danny was his choice puppet.

He drove into town and pulled into the mini-mart gas station combo. While he filled his car’s bottomless tank, he scanned the store’s interior through the plate glass. The white-haired clerk stood behind the counter. Two other people perused the trio of aisles, the red-coated real estate agent and a tall, lanky guy who also looked to be in his fifties. The real estate agent spotted him at the pump. She bumped the arm of her companion and nodded toward Danny.

Not in the mood to socialize, he was tempted to skip the store, but the thought of coffee prompted him to suck it up. Besides, the real estate agent seemed nosey. He bet she knew a lot of things about a lot of people. He strode into the store. She pounced as he grabbed a shopping basket.

“Mr. Sullivan.”

Danny looped the basket over his left elbow. “Ms. Fitzgerald.”

She gestured to her companion with the can of cat food in her hand. “Let me introduce you to Dr. Ian Chandler.”

“Nice to meet you.” The doctor juggled a banana, a granola bar, and a cup of coffee to shake Danny’s hand. “I remember your sister. Brave young woman. I hope she’s well.”

“Jayne’s OK, thanks,” Danny said.

“Glad to hear it.” Dr. Chandler set his items on the counter.

“Let me know if you have any problems with the house.” The real estate agent paid for her cat food and headed for the door. “Bye, Ian.”

Danny tossed pretzels and bread into the basket, then moved to the coffee station at the back of the store. The weight of the basket dug into his left arm. The elbow seized suddenly. Danny set the basket down. He pushed it along on the floor with his foot and carried his coffee in his right hand. Getting in line behind Dr. Chandler, Danny set everything on the counter and massaged his elbow.