Page 44 of Exposed

“As if,” she mutters.

“I’ll be home late. My case blew up today. I need to check on a few more things. You know I’d be there for you and Willa if I could. I just signed a confidential informant. I’m afraid she’s going to skip town—and she cannot skip town.”

“She? That’s not common is it?”

“Not for me. But for her safety and the sake of my case, I need her in Miami. And as of this afternoon, her car was packed. I’m not sure when I’ll be home, but since I’m headed to the north side of Miami, it’s safe to say I won’t make it for dinner. And why isn’t Trippy there for dinner? Did you not see her today?”

Laken sounds like she’s about to give up on life. “Our great aunt is too busy to come over for dinner, if you can believe.”

“Oh, I believe.”

“We were at her place for two hours this afternoon. We played bingo for an entire hour. Willa pretended to be miserable, but she won twice and pissed off two blue-haired biddies. That’s when Trippy risked all our lives and took us for ice cream in her new golf cart. Willa even took it for a spin. It was the only time she smiled all day. We left when Trippy had to get back so she could get ready for movie night. That’s all the time she could carve out for us.”

“Trippy’s social life puts the rest of us to shame.”

“You’re right. You worked all weekend and my social life at home is taxiing Willa around and trying to not gag at Bill’s political events. Someday when we move to a retirement home like Trippy, we can live our best life.”

“Not sure that’s the kind of fun I want.”

“Wait until it hurts to bend over and put on your socks. You, too, will buy a golf cart and almost cause fatalities on a sidewalk.”

“Shit. I told her to stay off the sidewalks. She never listens.”

Laken finally laughs. “Trippy doesn’t listen to anyone. I’ve got to go. I’m about to start the risotto. It needs my full attention.”

“Risotto. I might be home sooner than I planned.”

“I know for a fact you know how to cook, King. You could put your skills to use every once in a while.”

“I’m never home, and you’re there to do it for me.”

“Love you, asshole, but I’ve got to go.”

“Love you, too, sis.”

She sighs. “Whatever you’re doing, be careful.”

I exit the highway and turn toward The Colony. “Always. Don’t wait up on me. I might be a while.”

“Your loss. Risotto is never the same reheated.”

“It’s better than jar sauce,” I say.

“True, true. I’ve got to go. The only time you’re chatty is when you’re in the car.”

“Tell Willa hi for me. Sounds like you’ll be here for a while. I promise I’ll spend time with her.”

“She loves you.”

“What can I say? I’m lovable.”

“Ha!” she bellows. “As if. Be careful.”

“Always.” I disconnect the call and toss the phone into the seat next to me.

Then I pull to the side of the street across from the old Art Deco building. It looks like it’s from another decade.

Hell, another century.

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