Page 101 of Skeletons in the Closet

I gasped dramatically, clutching my chest even though she couldn’t see me. “So you aren’t god? You don’t know everything?”

“Guterson, was it?”

“Or maybe you are. Blood, you said?”

“Now, honestly, if you hit someone with your car and got out to help, realizing they were still alive, would you drive off and leave them to die? Yeesh. I mean, the least you could do was call an ambulance. I don’t understand people.”

“I agree. It’s despicable. Blood? You’re sure they found blood?”

“Yes, love. On a rag. Two types. So far as I know, they took a sample from Shore and sent it to the lab to be analyzed. Probably a match. Likely got hurt in the collision as well.”

“So they don’t know about the second type yet?”

Kittytsked. “These things take time, Tallus. You know that. Anyway, it didn’t matter. They had enough for an arrest, so they moved in.”

“Do you know why they impounded his vehicle in the first place?”

“Got a phone call about him dealing drugs from the car. You know he was being investigated for other things, right?”

“Yeah, I knew. Did they find drugs?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

“Kitty?”

“Yes, sweetie?”

“How do you know everything all the time? I’m serious. Are you a witch? You can tell me.”

She cackled like the brat she could be sometimes but didn’t answer. “How’s my cuddle bear? Are you taking care of him?”

Annnnd that was my cue to get the hell off the phone.

“Nicely played, Kitty Kat. Nicely played. I gotta run. Closing shop for the night. Are you in tomorrow?”

“I’ll be there at noon. Don’t bring lunch. I have you covered. I made lasagna.”

“Excellent. You are my new favorite person. See you then.”

“Say hi to Diem for me.”

I rolled my eyes and smiled. “I will.”

I had avoided texting Diem all day, regardless of how many times I found myself reaching for the phone, wanting to share about my searches. After everything that had happened the previous day and my recent lunch conversation with Memphis, I wasn’t sure what my deal was with the brooding giant. I didn’t know why I was pushing for something Diem clearly didn’t want to give. Maybe bathroom hookups didn’t appeal to me anymore, but I was too young for commitments. I liked the freedom to be picky and choosy and play the field.

But fuck Memphis. Diem was so attractive. Maybe not in a traditional sort of way, but he had tremendous appeal. To me at least.

At five thirty, I locked up and headed to Diem’s office, hoping the weirdness from the previous day had dissipated overnight. I wouldn’t push him anymore. I wouldn’t try to cross lines he didn’t want to cross or force him to do things that clearly made him uncomfortable. I could be a gentleman.

He greeted me at the door in the typical Diem fashion—no eye contact, a grunt, and with every muscle through his body tensed to the extreme.

“Shall we?” I asked without entering. “I figure you’ve been raring to go all day. We may have already missed her. Did you check her teaching schedule?”

“She teaches a class until seven,” he mumbled. “We have time. Hang on.”

He retreated into the office, leaving the door ajar. I waited in the hallway, adjusting his perpetually crooked sign. He needed anew one. When he returned, Diem handed me a paper bag and a take-out cup.

“What’s this?” I asked with a smile.

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