Chapter 10
Chapter 10 – Day Three, 7:47 AM
Morgan, as always, climbed through Chuck's bedroom window. Some traditions simply couldn't be broken. Chuck's room was empty. He poked his head into the living room, where Ellie and Devon were lounging on the couch, already dressed in their blue hospital scrubs before heading to work. "Morning!" He looked around. "Have either of you seen Chuck?"
Ellie immediately sat upright. "Seriously, Morgan? Have you ever considered using the front door?"
Devon, still only half awake, grinned. "That would be pretty awesome."
Morgan shrugged proudly. "I understand your concern, Ellie. But I can't promise I'll abandon tradition." He placed a hand over his heart. "It's part of who I am." A dramatic pause. "I'm looking for Chuck. My life depends on him."
Ellie and Devon exchanged a look. "He didn't come home last night," Ellie said. "He's probably with Sarah. And he hasn't answered his phone."
Devon sat up and slipped effortlessly into Captain Awesome mode. "You know, Morgan… When two adults are in love… They don't always answer their phones." He gave Morgan an exaggeratedly meaningful look. "You know what I'm saying, buddy?"
Morgan blinked. "Well… Yeah. I think I do."
A beat. Ellie narrowed her eyes. "What did you do, Morgan?"
He immediately raised both hands in surrender. "Nothing… that couldn't be explained with a little creative storytelling."
"Morgan."
"Okay!" He threw his hands into the air. "It's a long story."
Devon leaned back comfortably. "We've got time."
"I don't! Morgan shot back. "Big Mike's going to kill me."
Ellie sighed. "This just keeps getting better."
Morgan began pacing nervously. "So… There was a… minor misunderstanding involving inventory."
Devon tilted his head. "How minor?"
Morgan stopped walking. "The kind where… a few things disappeared… that maybe… I shouldn't have sold to a customer who was paying suspiciously well."
Silence. Ellie spoke slowly. "Morgan…"
"I didn't know he was suspicious!" Morgan protested immediately. "He was just…really confident. And he paid cash!"
Devon raised an eyebrow. "That's usually a clue."
Morgan waved dismissively. "Okay, yes. In hindsight. I see that now."
Ellie rubbed her forehead. "What exactly did you sell?"
Morgan hesitated. "A few… …technical items."
"Morgan."
"Okay! A lot of technical items."
Devon straightened. "How many is 'a lot'?"
Morgan swallowed. "Enough… that if Chuck doesn't help me… Big Mike won't just fire me. He'll probably ban me from the store forever."
Silence. Ellie and Devon exchanged another look. Finally Ellie sighed. "If we see Chuck, we'll tell him you're looking for him."
Morgan nodded rapidly. "Good. Good. That's good." He started toward Chuck's bedroom… then turned back. "And… don't tell him I panicked."
Devon smiled. "Of course."
Ellie folded her arms. "You've been panicking this entire time."
Morgan sighed dramatically. "Okay. Fair enough." He headed back toward the bedroom window. A moment later… he disappeared the same way he'd arrived.
The apartment fell quiet again. Ellie looked over at Devon. "Do you really think Chuck's with Sarah?"
Devon smiled with absolute confidence. "Honey… I'd bet my medical degree on it."