Page 11 of Tripp

“Yes, I promise you, I’m fine. Starving, but fine.”

“I’ve got food; where’s the plates and silverware?”

“I’ll get it. What do you want to drink, sis?”

“Water, please.”

“Tripp, you want a beer?”

I shook my head. “No, no thanks. Water is fine.”

Did I want a beer? After today, I wanted a bottle of Jack, but I needed to stop with the bad decisions. It wasn’t going to get me anywhere.

“Did you buy out the place?” he asked, handing me a bottle.

I chuckled. “Nah, I left some. I hope the little one likes mac-n-cheese and fries. I got green beans too. They assured me there was nothing spicy in any of this.”

“She loves green beans and mac-n-cheese. Thank you,” Casey responded, stalking hard. I watched her for a moment. Scooter looked from her to me and then back again.

Okay, that was weird.

“What do you want, Case?”

“All of it.” She grinned. “Just a little of each though. There is no bad food from Ms. Nettie’s. It’s the local hidden gem.”

“I can see and smell why.” Scooter and I set out to fix plates. I sat on the floor beside the couch, helping her hold her plate until she had it where she wanted it. Her left hand had a bandage on the thumb. It was hurting her, but she was determined to chow down. I couldn’t blame her.

After a good portion of the food was in our bellies, I asked the question I needed to know most.

“Care to explain your temporary insanity?”

She grimaced. “Man, if I could go back and redo something, it would be that. I got up there to see inside the junkyard. The wall kept me from seeing in. My guy was in there.” She took another bite and closed her eyes. “In hindsight, I should have done so many things differently. I’m not new to this gig. Rookie mistake.”

“You didn’t leave a note this time.”

“I was only planning on being gone for a few hours. Honest. I hate that you were left worrying about me. It was a shitty move on my part.” She sighed. “Next time, I’ll leave a note and if at all possible, I’m never climbing a tree like that again. Unless I have to.”

“I vote for your ass staying on the ground.” I shrugged.

“Like you’ve never done stupid shit on a case.”

I shrugged again. I had no defense there, I had, and she knew it. “I’m just gonna plead the fifth.” I shoved a piece of bread in my mouth and chewed. I’d once hung from a fifth story window, hiding from an asshole determined to put a knife in me. Now that wasn’t something I did often, but it helped me understand what she was saying.

Couldn’t call a spot a spot if I’d got the same spot.

“Did you get what you needed?” Scooter asked her. He was watching his plate and not his sister, but I saw it. A look of worry crossed her face.

“I’m not sure yet. Hopefully. Guess it’s not up to me to make the call. I’ll upload everything and see where we go from there. I might have to do a little more tailing.” She shrugged.

Her attempt at nonchalance didn’t fool me. There was something she wasn’t telling us. I’d figure out what soon enough.

You can’t shit a bullshitter, sweetheart. I’m going to be on you like white on rice.

Chapter 5

Casey

Watching my baby sleep, her little cheeks puffing out with each breath was the best part of my night.

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