Banks put down his cell phone. “Who was that?” he asked.

She just smiled. “They changed my dental appointment,” she replied, forcing herself to look nonchalant. “It’s just for a cleaning.”

He was already nose deep into a new computer file. He just nodded idly and went back to work.

Clancey went into her office, out of his sight, and ground her teeth together. Morris wasn’t coming home soon, but he was definitely coming home. She and Tad would have to leave the house. She was going to have to do something. She didn’t dare involve Banks and she didn’t want to obligate Cal any further. She’d have to play her cards close to her chest. Meanwhile, she had to start searching want ads. She picked up the telephone directory and started looking up numbers.

She found two promising leads on family apartments. She had a little money saved. She spent some of it that weekend, going to inquire about the apartment with Tad in tow.

The first was a no-frills basement apartment that smelled of mold. It was in a house with several apartments, and the tenants weren’t friendly or welcoming. The landlord had a shifty look.

“Thanks for letting us look around,” she told him with a determined smile.

“Going to take it?” he asked quickly. “I’ve got three other parties interested.”

In a pig’s eye, she thought, but she kept smiling. “I have others to see. Don’t hold it for me, though.”

He shrugged. “Your choice. Hard to find an apartment with winter coming on.” He smiled, too, but it wasn’t a nice smile.

She just nodded.

“I don’t like him,” Tad said when they were back in the cab en route to the next place, still hopeful.

“Me, neither,” she said. “And the basement smelled full of mold.” She took out her rescue inhaler and took a puff. She’d been coughing since they left the apartment.

“You okay?” he asked worriedly.

“Don’t fuss,” she said softly. “I’m fine. I’m just sensitive to mold.”

“Where’s the next place?” he asked.

She pulled out the want ads. She didn’t have a smart phone or she could have used an app to look for rentals. She’d circled the two most promising, and one of those was already a no-go. She hoped against hope that the next one would suit them.

It was in a large, Victorian house right near the Texas Rangers office and Tad’s school, within easy walking distance. The owners were an elderly couple, and Clancey noted the religious paintings on the wall and a Bible on the coffee table. It relaxed her.

The apartment had two twin beds, which meant that she and Tad would have to share a room. But it had a nice view. It was well lit and airy and very clean.

“I love this,” she said softly.

“Me, too!” Tad agreed.