When the old keeper forgot one latch, the 400-pound silverback reached through the steel

stood there.

“Hey,” he said.

Winston watched him without moving.

Tom looked down at his boots. “I was a jerk yesterday.”

The silverback blinked.

“I know you don’t know what that means.” Tom gave the smallest laugh, almost embarrassed by himself. “Or maybe you know better than I do.”

Winston rose and crossed the dayroom. He did not hurry. He stopped at the continue reading …