Page 34 of Jon's Helter Skelter Cold Case

“Huh. Well I was actually calling ’cause I’m in the area and thought we could do lunch. But now I insist on lunch. I want to meet this kid.”

“Lunch sounds great. In fact, if you’ll swing by Psy and do us a favor, I will buy you sushi.”

“Deal. What’s the favor?”

“Do a reading on some evidence for me. I’m pretty sure all of it’s fake.”

“Part of that crazy case you mentioned?”

“Got it in one.”

“Now this I must see with my own eyes. I’m about thirty minutes out, be there soon.”

“Looking forward to it.”

Jon and Abby joined me in the office. “Archer’s on his way over here,” I told them.

Jon blinked. It wasn’t often I could surprise him, and honestly, it was always funny when I did. “He’s in Nashville?”

“Yup. Not sure why, probably for a case, knowing him, but he’s swinging by to look at our evidence and see if he can pick anything up from it. I promised him sushi for the favor.”

“Hell yeah.” To Abby, Jon explained, “Archer’s a friend of ours. One of the best Psychometrics you’ll ever meet. He can pick anything up and get a reading on it, a literal visual of what the person was doing or where they were when touching a specific object. Forensics love him to pieces.”

“Oooh, that sounds awesome. I get to meet him?”

“He insists on meeting you,” I told her. “He’s very excited that Jon has an apprentice. I expect him soon. Now. Abby, as a heads-up, Archer is legally blind and has a guide dog. You know the rule with guide dogs?”

“Yeah. Don’t pet them, they’re working.”

Good, glad she knew the basics. “In this case, Steve is a lovebug and wants all the pets, but do ask Archer first. You don’t want to distract Steve.”

“Got it.” Abby gave a firm nod of reassurance.

I was all set to say something else when my phone rang again, this time Lauren calling. What was this, hot potato?

“Hi, Lauren.”

“Hi, sweetie. Jon nearby?”

“He is.”

“Put the call on speaker, then.”

“Sure.” I put it on speaker and held it so Jon could talk into it without actually touching it. Very delicately maintained distance, that.

“So I have bad news for you two. Your two venue picks are a no-go. There’s absolutely no dates available at all this year. Best I can do is next year.”

“Ouch.” Well, there went that idea. I was not waiting for next year. No siree.

Jon made a face, his nose all scrunched up. “Not the news I wanted to hear, but thanks for checking. All right, we’ll discuss and come up with a plan B.”

“Sorry. Let me know if there’s another idea you have in mind. Otherwise, I’m just going to start googling places.”

“Sure.”

“Bye for now. Love you.” Lauren hung up.

My fiancé and I shared a long look. Neither of us were pleased. I also didn’t have another idea in mind. Frankly, I didn’t care where we got married so long as I got Jon at the end of theday, but I did want a good party to celebrate. After everything we’d been through, we’d earned a party.

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