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Taylor snorted. “You settled in yet?”

“Slowly,” Miles shrugged. “You know how it is when you move.”

Taylor nodded. “You need more furniture?”

“I’m good for now. I want to get the place how I want it then I’ll look at new furniture.”

TJ’s voice carried from his office. “Miles.”

Miles paused and looked back.

TJ stood in the doorway. “Eat something today.”

Miles groaned. “I do eat.”

Taylor grinned. “Sure you do. Shit.”

Miles shook his head and walked outside. He knew they only did it because they cared, but it could be annoying at times. Getting into the cruiser, he started the engine and drove toward the school. The crossing was routine. Parents lined up, some paying attention to their kids and others paying attention to their phone. People didn’t look where they were going until someone told them to.

Miles stood with the stop sign and watched the road. He stopped traffic, waved kids across, nodded at a couple of parents he recognized. Half the town had kids or grandkids.

A boy tried to dart back across the road. Miles stepped forward, palm out. “Stop.”

The boy froze, eyes wide. “I forgot my hat,” the boy blurted.

“You’ll survive,” Miles said.

A woman hurried over and grabbed the strap of the kid’s backpack. “Sorry. He does that.”

“He’ll get hit if he keeps doing it,” Miles told her.

Her face tightened. “I know.”

She pulled the boy back to the curb and Miles watched until they were clear, then went back to traffic. When the last of the cars cleared, Miles got in his cruiser and headed toward Maple.

The welfare check address was a small house with a neat garden and a swing on the porch. The curtains were drawn as Miles walked up the path and knocked on the door. After waiting a minute or so, Miles knocked again.

When there was still no response, Miles stood still and listened. He couldn’t hear a TV or any footsteps. He moved to the side window and looked inside. He couldn’t see much past the curtains, but he didn’t see anyone on the floor, and he didn’t see any movement.

Going around the back, Miles saw the yard was empty, and checking the back door, he found it locked. He went back to the front and knocked again. “Robinson PD,” he called. “Just need to know you’re okay.”

There was a pause then a curtain shifted. The front door opened a crack and an older woman stared out at him, hair stuck up, and her eyes narrowed. “What?” she snapped.

Miles kept his voice even. “Morning. We got a call for a welfare check. Neighbor was concerned.”

“I was sleeping.”

“It’s ten,” Miles said.

“And I’m retired,” she snapped back. “I can sleep whenever I want.”

Miles stopped himself from smiling and nodded. “You okay?”

“Yes.”

“Do you need anything?”

“No.”