Charlie closed the door behind him, and when Booger moved to sit between his legs, he reached down and patted the old hound.

Dan frowned. He’d been a lawyer too long not to recognize someone with a problem, and when Charlie looked up, Dan knew he’d been right.

“Charlie…son…what’s wrong?”

“If you knew someone was going to do something wrong…something bad…would you tell?”

“Yes,” Dan said.

“Even if they are sort of my friends?” Charlie asked.

Dan hesitated a moment. “Uh…now I need to ask you something.”

“Okay,” Charlie said.

“Are all of your friends the kind of people who do bad things…wrong things?” Dan asked.

Charlie frowned. “Well, no! Of course not!”

“Do you admire these friends of yours who are going to do something wrong? Do you want to be like them?” Dan asked.

Charlie was silent a few moments, and then he sighed.

“No…no, I don’t.”

“Then what am I missing here? If you know a crime is going to be committed and you say nothing, you’re abetting the crime. And if innocent people are hurt or killed in the act of that crime, you’re partly responsible. Does that make anything clearer for you?” Dan asked.

Charlie inhaled sharply. “I was in the Crown getting dog food for Booger and overheard two guys talking about robbing Mr. Phillips and stealing his car when he locks up tonight.”

Dan frowned. “Their names?”

Charlie sighed. “Teddy and Brian Hollis.”

“The Hollis family who rents one of our properties?”

Charlie nodded.

“Damn it,” Dan said. “Do they know you overheard them?”

Charlie shook his head. “No.”

“You’re certain?”

“Yes, sir,” Charlie said.

“Don’t say anything about this to anyone else. I’m calling Chief Pittman. If they show up, he’ll be ready for them, and if they don’t, then all the better,” Dan said, and stood. When Charlie got up, Dan hugged him. “You did the right thing, Charlie. I’m proud of you.”

Charlie hugged him back. “Thanks, Dad. I was scared. I didn’t know what to do about it.”

“When you become a man, you will carry a man’s burdens. But for now, stuff like this is what parents are for. Go help your mom with supper. I’ll be along shortly.”

Charlie nodded and left the office, but Dan was already on the phone, calling the police station.

* * *

Lon Pittman was shutting down his computer and getting ready to go home when his phone rang. He glanced at the clock, then sighed and reached for the phone.

“Blessings PD.”

“Chief, this is Dan Amos. I need to tell you something,” Dan said and then proceeded to repeat the story Charlie told him.

Lon’s thoughts were racing. It was a little bit after five, but the pharmacy didn’t close until six thirty.