[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.“Some girl time does sound nice, and I do want your opinion.”Apparently, Teddi didn’t have a TV in her house.Otherwise, she would probably realize that the Scum River Killer was in town, and that Riley and I had been affiliated with the case.Everyone in the area seemed to know that after the killer had called Bill McCormick’s show.I hated to do it, but I was going to leave her in the dark about this one.The facts of the case were enough to raise anyone’s blood pressure.Worry about loved ones was worse than worrying about yourself.She squeezed my arm.“Listen, I wanted to let you know that your dad and I have talked, and we want to help pay for part of the wedding.We wish we could pay for the whole thing, but that’s really not an option right now.”I stopped cold and blinked.Certainly I hadn’t heard correctly.My dad had bummed off of me for years, refusing to work himself.It was a long story, but I’d enabled him to do so.Each request for cash had prompted my guilt complex to kick in.“We couldn’t do that,” Riley said.He put his hand on my back.I shook my head.“Besides, my dad doesn’t have the money.”“He’s been working some extra jobs lately, just so he can help you out.”“My dad?” Certainly she was talking about someone else.Someone responsible.Someone not related to me.“Yes, your dad.” Teddi laughed softly.“Of course.Who else?”“The two of you.you’re not even married yet.You don’t have to help.You have no obligation.” I was still in shock.I wasn’t sure if I was making sense or not, or even if I was being rude.But this was almost as confusing and mind-blowing as the search for Milton Jones.She squeezed my arm again.“I told you.You’re like a daughter to me.I want to help.”“That’s really kind,” I finally said.“But Riley’s right.We can do this on our own.”“I won’t take no for an answer.We’re buying your dress, at least.You do know that I won Best Gown in the Miss Texas pageant, right? It was back in ‘76, but I still know what a good dress looks like.”I smiled.My dad had a thing for the beauty pageant types.My mom had won a few titles herself.At times, I wondered if Mom and Teddi had ever met.I wouldn’t be asking.Teddi took a step toward the door.“Monday.We’re going shopping.No ifs, ands, or buts about it.”She winked and stepped closer.Before she strode outside, she leaned closer to me and whispered, “Let your dad pay some for your wedding.It will help him with his guilt.”Before I could say anything else, she left.Riley and I stood there speechless.The wedding was important.I mean, of course it was important! But how could I even begin to think of myself right now when people were in danger?“That’s really sweet,” Riley finally said.I replayed Teddi’s words over and over in my mind.“I can’t believe my dad wants to pay for something.”Riley shrugged and pushed one of my curls behind my ear.“I know we agreed to pay for the wedding on our own, but maybe you should think about it.Maybe your dad is finally trying to make things right.”My dad? Making things right? It was enough to make my brain nearly freeze up from overload.When I saw that Riley was waiting for my response, I nodded.“I’ll think about it.No promises, though.”***Before making my way upstairs, I decided to step outside and grab my mail.I knew my box was overflowing, because I’d neglected to check it all week.You never knew what kind of nasty messages or threatening letters might be waiting for you there.Been there, done that.I’d also been on the receiving end of my father’s bills before.Maybe that subconscious thought was what had prodded me to check now.We stepped outside, and I waved at the new officer who’d been assigned to sit outside of my apartment.He waved back from his patrol car.We trotted across the parking lot toward the cluster of mailboxes at the street.“This is where we first met, you know,” I reminded Riley as we walked.Probably a bad time to reminisce, but I did it anyway.He grinned.“Yeah, I know.All because of that parrot up in a Bradford pear tree.”“I’d just come from a crime scene and I had soot on my face, and my hair had frizzed out because the house I was cleaning was set on fire.” I grinned.“Memories.”“A year later, and look at us now.”The trip down memory lane had been a nice distraction, but only for a moment.I leaned toward the mailboxes.Something looked different.Finally, I pointed at Riley’s.“The name from the front of your mailbox is missing.”Riley peered over my shoulder.“What do you mean?”I pointed to the empty space below his box number.“I mean, your name is missing.Usually, it’s right there beside mine.Mine is missing too, for that matter.”“That’s strange.”I shook my head.Something was bugging me.But what? I needed to figure it out soon.Because the more questions that swirled in my mind, the less peace I had in my life.Before I had time to figure it out, Dale pulled up.There were retail stores that got less traffic than this apartment building did lately.The difference was that retail stores made a profit.Me? All my money was disappearing with every job I put off.Truth be told: I didn’t even care at the moment.A few minutes later, I’d put the thoughts of my mailbox aside and went back upstairs.Dale plopped down at Riley’s dining room table, and Riley went to make a cup of coffee.The detective looked tired, as did everyone who was involved in this investigation.No one was getting any sleep; this case haunted everyone’s nightmares, whether they were investigating it or hearing about it on the news.I looked down at a note Tim had left on the table.He’d gone to hang out with some friends.That meant we might not hear from him for anywhere from a few hours to a few days.Maybe it was better that he kept himself occupied.“I don’t suppose you’re interested in going back to your old position out in California? I know they’d take you back in a heartbeat.” Dale stiffly leaned back in his chair.I had a feeling he’d be more comfortable at a bar than at someone’s dining room table.Riley shook his head and poured his former colleague a cup of coffee.“No, my life is here.”Dale looked over at me.“He was the best prosecutor the office had ever seen.” He took the coffee from Riley and raised his mug in thanks.“I don’t know if I’d say that,” Riley argued.He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall casually.I could see the strain of this investigation on Riley, also.His eyes had lost their usual brightness, and he’d almost seemed to age before my eyes.Dale shook his head.“He’s too humble.You should have seen him in action.Nothing could ruffle him.He was thorough, ethical, and determined.”“I’m sure everyone’s doing just fine out there without me.”“Jane Willows just left, you know.They’re looking for someone to fill her position.”Riley straightened.“Jane left? I thought she’d be a lifer.”“We all did [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]