Page 75 of Code Name: Reaper
“In the attic, you say? I don’t go up there too often. Maybe once a year to make sure the cobwebs aren’t too thick. Don’t recall seeing any.”
“We found them in the drawers of a couple of the dressers,” said Reaper.
Mr. Hill shook his head. “Don’t think I ever opened those.”
“Oh, and there was a model of a house. On the bottom, it read, ‘Hyde Camp.’”
“Hyde, you say?” He scratched his chin. “The name isn’t familiar.” He looked up at the sky, then at me. “You know, it might’ve been your mama’s family name.”
Reaper had moved closer to me, so when I felt my legs give out, he caught me around the waist.
“Then again, maybe not. My Violet was the one who always kept track of names. I wasn’t ever very good at it.” He studied me for a long moment. “You have your father’s eyes. Same color, same way of looking at the world like you’re seeing things other people miss.”
The air left my lungs. “Do you remember him?”
“Stephen? Sure, I do. Not that I knew him well. Typical teenager, running here and there all the time. Then, once he started working, I don’t think he was able to make it home all that often.” Mr. Hill looked off in the distance. “The accident nearly broke your grandparents’ hearts. But they had you to look after, and I can tell you, you were their pride and joy.”
“Do you remember what happened?” Reaper asked.
Mr. Hill looked between us. “Not really. Only that it was tragic.”
“You mentioned he wasn’t able to make it home much after he started working. What did he do?” Reaper looked at me first. When I shrugged, he turned to Mr. Hill.
“Well, it’s a long time ago now, but I think your grandpa said once or twice that Stephen worked for the government.”
“Not uncommon for people who live around here,” I commented.
“Something in DC?” Reaper pressed.
“Langley is what I heard.”
I gasped. “Did you say Langley?”
“That’s right. Not the kind of work he could talk about, I don’t think.”
“As in the CIA?” Reaper pressed.
“Can’t say for sure, but that’d be my guess.”
“Did you know my mother?”
“I only met her once or twice. Real pretty girl.” He looked at me and smiled. “You look a lot like her.”
A cold gust of wind blew through, carrying away most of the pile of leaves he’d been raking.
“Do you want to come inside?” I offered.
“I would, but I’ve got some other things to take care of across the way. It was sure good to see you again, Charity, and if you ever decide you want to put the place on the market, I’ll do what I can to help.”
“I appreciate it.” I hugged him and kissed his cheek.
“Norm was a good friend to me when I lost Violet. Then when Dorothy passed, I did the same for him. The neighborhood isn’t the same without them.” He looked up at the house. “I guess that’s why I’m over here as much as I am. Good memories, you know?”
“I do know, and thank you.”
As he walked away, my eyes filled with tears. “He seems so lonely,” I said when Reaper tightened his arm around me and I leaned into him.
“Do you want to look around some more inside?”
