Page 113 of Callahan

“Give me theReader’s Digestversion.”

Brian sighed and he lifted his gaze toward the ceiling, like he was trying to activate his memory.

“Let me see… she’s a slut. They’re going to kidnap her bastard child and sell him on the black market. Poison her ingredients so her food kills people in town. Burn the bakery down…. Uh, what else–”

“Jesus, there’s more?”

“It was very rambling. Like every thought that popped in this person’s mind, they wrote it down as an option. Oh! This was my favorite, they’re going to release roaches in her kitchen, call the health department, and run her out of business.”

“So, it ran the gambit of selling her baby on the black market to calling the health department on her.”

“Yeah, like I said, it was unhinged.”

“We still have to show it to her.”

“Actually,” her voice came from the landing on the stairs, “no, you don’t. I got the gist. I don’t need to see it in writing. But thank you, Adam, for letting me be the one to make that decision.”

Brian replied, “Lainey, I’m sorry. I was just—”

“You were just looking out for me; I know. And I love you for it, but you have to stop handling me like I’m made of glass and will break. I’m tougher than you think, Brian O’Shaughnessy.”

“I know you are. And you’re right, I need to stop treating you with kid gloves. I feel like I owe it to Shawn to—”

Her tone was stern this time when she interrupted him. “I’m tired of hearing how everybody thinks they owe Shawn something. Shawn was a good man, and I guarantee he would not want anyone feeling obligated to live their life a certain way because of him.”

This feels a little personal.

Brian nodded. “You’re right. So, what I’m about to say has absolutely nothing to do with Shawn. You’re staying here until this person is caught.”

“Oh, no doubt. I know you’ll keep us safe.”

Ouch.

“Plus, being able to sleep through the night will be extra motivation for you to solve this. And, speaking of sleeping through the night… I’m going back to bed. Goodnight.”

And as quietly as she’d come down the stairs, she went back up them.

Chapter Forty-One

Lainey

“The glass company can install a new window tomorrow, but you’re going to have to pay the deductible,” Earl told me on my third call to him Monday morning.

“You have a glass deductible? Since when do insurance companies charge you for window replacements?”

“You’re thinking car insurance.”

“Oh.” I blew out a deep breath. “And how much is that going to cost?”

“Five hundred.”

I patted my chest as I choked out, “Five hundred dollars?”

“Well, I ain’t talking about pennies, sweetheart. And five hundred is cheap. My home owner’s insurance is a thousand. What’s your renter’s insurance deductible?”

“Two hundred and fifty.”

Which, in my opinion, was still a lot when you didn’t have it to begin with.

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