Mr. Kane Got Blacklisted

Stella suddenly got a strange feeling about Larry.

Here was a guy with just a middle school education, yet he had impeccable handwriting.

He had a wife with mental health issues and a son with hearing impairment, and he was the sole provider for the family.

And yet, he somehow managed to afford his son's lessons in painting and calligraphy.

Instead of cutting back on his son's expenses to save for a cochlear implant, he took on extra jobs on the side, even if it meant risking his main job.

Stella had seen parents sacrifice and scrimp to give their kids the best education, but something about Larry's situation didn't sit right with her.

She couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Even as she met up with Keegan, her brow stayed furrowed.

When Samuel finished his shift and went home, Aldor took over driving duties.

Keegan tossed his jacket onto the front seat and joined Stella in the back.

troubled," Keegan asked, buckling

Stella shook her head.

there?" Keegan asked, nodding

the drawing for

me for

the youngsters again?" Stella's

him! I just gave hima box of chocolates for his birthday, and the kid was thoughtful enough to send a thank-you gift." Keegan

see.”

Keegan scrutinized the drawing.

"This is pretty good.

brushed

"I remember you're handy

the study was impressive." Then he added, "Better than this, even." Stella's face

a

cat! A

in, "Tigers are tougher to paint than

be a pro at painting tigers." With that one sentence, Aldor had Stella feeling praised, and even if her tiger paintings were rubbish, she'd still have to

looked back at