Chapter 19

Jack Cheney hadn’t left. He stayed in the office until the first light of dawn, then wandered over to the well to fetch water. The rusty squeak of the iron pulley startled a flock of sparrows under the eaves. Just as he was about to haul the bucket up, a deep male voice came from behind him. “I filled Ms. Quinn’s water tank yesterday.” Jack turned and saw a tall man standing there. The man held a bamboo basket, the warm scent of roasted potatoes wafting out into the cool morning air. “I’m...