Charlie looked at the box and the bottle. Jo probably didn't know it, but food and drink, especially food, were probably the best way to get to know the detective. It certainly helped.
"Come in." He stepped back to give her room to do as he suggested. The horse came over to investigate, but he didn't stay long. He went off to do whatever he did when no one was around. Charlie let the white puffball of a cat down to find her own entertainment.
"Ted wouldn't like it if I let them go." Charlie wouldn't just release Horse and LB into the wild; he would have to hire someone to clean the place, but he wouldn't let the animals roam. If Jake were round, he could come and go as he pleased too. Jennifer would want it that way.
"He wasn't taken; Jennifer was taken, but Ted wasn't. He is gone, but he isn't. Not gone like Jennifer, but not gone gone either. We remember him and her, so they aren't really gone, but he's more gone than she is. I'm sorry." He looked over the woman, hands out to take the box and bottle. The way he held his arms might have suggested he was offering a hug.