21. I will be honest

"Very well." I reassured him with a pat on his shoulder as I walked past, fully aware of the considerable amount of time I had spent visiting my mother's grave. The sun was beginning to set, casting a trail of crimson and tangerine hues that danced through the windows. Despite my exhaustion, I was prepared to handle the necessary tasks ahead. As I entered the house, it felt eerily quiet, devoid of any signs of life. Everything appeared to be in order, with no indication of unusual activity, but I still checked each room.

I noticed Grinder standing by the entrance to the great room, his feet planted firmly apart. He nodded at me with a cautious look in his eyes. "Boss."

Finally, I heard some noise, faint sounds emanating from a television set with the volume turned low.

"How has she been?" I spoke softly, aware that Madeline was the type of woman who gathered information for her own advantage. Perhaps as leverage or ammunition. After all, she was a daddy's girl.

"This morning she ha