Mid-thirties, perhaps.
His face was pale but composed.
Not surprised.
Not frightened.
The thing that bothered Lucas most was how unsurprised he looked.
Like being discovered had always been one of several possible outcomes.
Miller said, “Keep your hands where I can see them.”
The man obeyed.
A crowbar lay on the floor behind him.
Near the shelving sat a half-open laptop.
Jojo stared.
“You been back there all night?”
The man looked at him.
“I’m not here to hurt anyone.”
“Then you picked a strange place to hide with a crowbar.”
“It’s not what you think.”
Miller did not move closer.
“What do I think?”
The man said nothing.
Sirens became faintly audible outside.
Only then did the first real crack appear in his expression.
Not panic.
Annoyance.
Miller saw it.
“So you didn’t want police.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
Two sheriff’s units arrived within minutes.
The intruder was searched, restrained, and moved into the main garage while deputies secured the storage room.