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When I knocked on Erica’s door, an older woman answered Her hair was the saray strands, but she had dark eyes that didn’t see

“And who are you?” she asked

“My name is Brett Loomis,” I said

The wo by the expression on her face, but Erica appeared in the doorith her She looked surprised to see me, but she nodded to the woman

“It’s okay, Mom It’s my boss”

Erica’s mother folded her arms over her chest, and she looked like she had a mouthful to say about that, but she didn’t Instead, she stepped to the side and let me walk into the apartment

“Brett, this is my mom, Cynthia Mom, this is my boss, Brett”

Cynthia nodded, but she didn’t accept the hand I extended toward her “Oh, I know exactly who he is, honey”

So, the way she had demanded to knoho I hen she had opened the door had been a trick to intimidate me After what Erica had told me about her, I wasn’t surprised Cynthia looked hed and shook her head slightly The motion was made for me alone, and it made me feel like, despite our differences, Erica and I were still on the same side

“I need to go,” Cynthia said after aat her atch “But if you need e my plans”

Erica shook her head “It’s okay, Moo”

Cynthia looked like she wasn’t sure it was a good idea Maybe she thought I had forced Erica into the situation that had blown up in the paper She glared at , and kissed her daughter on the cheek

“I’ll call you later” She walked past oodbye and left the apartment When the door was closed behind her, Erica let out another sigh