Page 67 of The Game Is Afoot

“That’s right,” Dad hollers, brushing off his shoulder, and Bert does some shuffly TikTok dance that one of his grandkids probably taught him. It would be hilarious if it wasn’t so annoying. I look to Leon to see if he’s seen the error of his ways after this display of professionalism, but he’s just laughing along with them.

Does he…think me and my dad are on the same level here? Becausewe’re not. Are we? No, we’re definitely not. This is more than a silly hobby for me—I am conducting an extensive investigation to find the truth here. I solved a crime just months ago! I basically saved our principal’s life! Probably…Corinne said she wasn’t going to actually kill him—but who knows!

“I’m willing to share my sources, Maves,” Dad offers. “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. Because Leon also just told me that you and Jasmine found out something about that Bethany woman this week, and I’m the one who got you that lead, technically.”

“Bethany?” Bert asks, rubbing his hand over his freckled brown cheek. “This the Avon lady?”

“Leon, when were these texts sent? Did they say anything else?” I bat away my dad’s mic that’s found its way next to my face. “I do not consent to be recorded, Dad!”

He squints his eyes in mock confusion. “What’s that? Can you say that louder?”

“Irene didn’t tell me the exact dates, but it seemed like theywere pretty recent. The detectives are on it, though. Like I said, they traced the phone, where it was bought. It was that CVS over on Marshall? The person paid cash, but I think they’re going through the security footage. Might take a while, but they’ll find who did this.”

I feel a jolt of excitement with each bit of information he reveals, sparks setting my mind on fire with new what-ifs and maybes. But then it’s like a big bucket of water being dumped on me, his clear, underlying message here:The police are handling this. And you…I’m just humoring.

“So what did you find out with Bethany, Maves? Did she have a reason to threaten him?”

“Or Dom Dwyer? You said he was on her board, too. Right, Elijah?” Bert asks, nudging my dad. “Could it have something to do with that meeting he was supposed to have with the city?”

“Dom? The guy on the big mower?” Leon sucks his teeth. “Man, did you guys find something? Because I can pass it on to Irene…”

“Mavis found something! When she broke into his shed!” Dad’s eyes are shining with pride, but I can’t even enjoy it, because he’s blowing up my spot.

Leon’s eyes go wide. “Don’t get yourself in trouble, now.”

“I’m fine. And Dad, how did you even know that?”

“It was on your murder board. On one of those green guys.”

“Each one of you has unique gifts to share with the world!” Florence cheers at the kids, and I jump.

Wow, she’s way closer than she was a few minutes ago. When did that happen? And is she listening? God, she probablyiswith the scene we’re making. No wonder Leon thinks I’m an amateur like my dad. I’m acting like one, letting all my evidence be dragged out into the street. And—ugh. I wouldn’t even besurprised if Florence knows Bethany. Their brands of bullshit are adjacent, if not the same. I can’t risk any of this getting to her before we have our one-on-one consultation tomorrow—I’m honestly surprised she hasn’t canceled it already.

I need to walk away. Right now. Before I mess things up even more.

“I’ve gotta…I need to think about this,” I mumble, waving away Dad’s protests as I walk farther down the field. I need to distance myself from them. And I need to be alone to think this through, to add these new pieces to the puzzle…to, okay, stomp my foot and grunt and throw a little grown-woman tantrum over my dad butting intomy investigation.

“Are you okay?”

But of course, being alone is a lot to ask for in a park on the weekend during kids’ soccer practice.

“I’m fine, Corey.”

“Um, all right.” He looks down, trying to hide his one-dimpled grin, but I see it. And it makes me feel like flames are lapping at my throat. “I’m not trying to judge,” he continues. “Like, you do you. But it’s kinda obvious? That you’re trying to solve this thing with Coach Cole. Well, you and your dad, too, but he’s got Bert for backup.” He laughs, but it dies quickly when met with my steely gaze.

“Anyway, I just want to make sure you’re not getting yourself into any dangerous situations. You know, like what happened in September. So whatever’s up, I’m here for you.”

I don’t know if it’s his unintended echo of what Jack told me yesterday or the falseness of him telling me he’s here for me when I know he’s already planning his exit—when I know he’s about to leave me to deal with the consequences again. But I’m like a thread pulled too tight. I snap.

“Can you stop? All of this!” I twirl my hands in his direction, and I know it looks stupid, which makes me even more mad. “Can you just stop?!”

His full lips frown in confusion. “Did I…do something to upset you?”

Of course you did!I want to scream. You’ve done more things to upset me than anyone else in existence, butnowyou expect me to just let that go?Nowyou want me to trust you, to rely on you, just so I can get my heart broken again?

But I can’t say any of that. Not here, with Pearl only yards away on the field. My eyes find her now, and I can see her watching us, biting the side of her cheek as she waits to do another weave through Florence’s stupid burlap flags. I smile and wave, hoping she didn’t hear me yell. I take a deep, steadying breath, quieting the fire that still wants to escape, so I don’t yell again.

“No,” I say, and a skeptical brow jumps on Corey’s face. “It’s—I’m…on my period.” I’m not. But that’s the fail-safe way to get a man to stop talking to you. And then, just in case that doesn’t work: “I’m going to go for a walk. You got Pearl?”

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