“No way,” he said, leaning over the kitchen table. “You found all this in the yard?” “Cooper found it.” Nate glanced down at the dog. “Right. Of course he did.” He picked up the cassette carefully, turned it over, then looked at the clock on the stove. “I’ve got to drop something off two streets over. Five minutes, maybe ten. I’ll leave this here.”
Brian frowned. “You’re leaving now?” “I’m literally around the corner.” Nate set the player on the counter and held up a hand. “Don’t go starting it without me.” Brian looked at him. “Then maybe don’t leave.” “Five minutes,” Nate said. “Try to survive the suspense.” With that, he was gone again, the player left behind on the counter beside the box.