Page 38 of Dev Girl

The thought jarred me in a way it never had, and I shook the reaction aside as I climbed out of bed. I was wiping the sleep from my eyes when my phone rang.

“Come in,” Maddox called in a drowsy voice, never opening his eyes.

My chuckle died when I looked at my screen and saw my realtor’s name. Not a call I could take in front of my friends, and not one I felt comfortable ignoring if she was calling this early.

I wandered from the room and closed the door behind me as I hit Answer. “Hello.”

“Hey. What’s your schedule like today?” Helen got right down to business.

“Same as most days. Why?”

She let out an abbreviated sigh. “The buyer wants to send his own inspector.”

What? “Where did this come from? Why?” The financing agreement was based on an independent third party. Sending someone in this late in the game wouldn’t change anything. And why today? Now?

“Their agent said they want some extra information. That’s all I have. Their guy is going to be in your part of the state today and wants to know if he can stop by this afternoon.”

At least they didn’t ask to stop by last week, while my back room was torn apart and an electrical hazard. Still, the timing could be better. I’d have to come up with a reason for Alys and Maddox to stay away this afternoon that wouldn’t make them question anything.

As if summoned by my thoughts, Alys and Maddox wandered into the kitchen.

I didn’t like the idea of lying to them. I was already keeping this secret, and that was devouring me now that they were here. Judith was making Alys work a light-slash-half-day schedule all week, and having her take next week off. Apparently Alys had been stockpiling vacation, and was being forced to use it and take a break.

Judith wanted most everyone to believe she was one step away from being the Wicked Witch of the West, but I’d seen her with Maddox. She was basically Big Sister—a nice one, not a mean, overbearing one.

I’d have to play this afternoon by ear. If I over thought what to say, it’d become a production and make things more complicated than they needed to be. Maybe I’d tell them this was an inspector for Evie’s electrical work, or…

I’d figure it out.

Right now, Maddox was pouring himself a bowl of cereal and Alys was putting on coffee. The three of us navigated around each other without much conversation, as we grabbed mugs, cream, sugar, and food. They’d been here a week, and it already felt normal, having them be part of my morning.

Maddox dropped into a chair at the table. “I was thinking about the Follow the Leader cover.”

“What about it?” Alys leaned against the counter and sipped her drink.

“Cousin Ravyn moved to town a few months ago…” The way he trailed off made it sound like he expected us to know exactly what he meant.

I knew that Maddox’s cousins rarely were. Rather, they all shared the founder of this town as a relative, five generations back, but cousin usually meant third or fourth, rather than first cousin, including Ravyn Miller.

I hadn’t realized Maddox knew her though. “You’ve met Ravyn?”

“Once or twice. Sort of.” Maddox shrugged. “I know enough to call her and ask if she’s willing to talk to us this afternoon.”

“About…?” I was still waiting for the why of it all.

Alys scoffed. “You’ve seen her art, right? If she could do the backdrop for us, that would be so amazing.”

Logic I couldn’t argue with. Plus it meant they’d be occupied this afternoon when the inspector came by. “Cool. I’m in.” Or out. Or whatever.

I headed to my record store, and most of the day passed like any other.

The inspector showed up on time, and we exchanged names and a handshake.

“I’ll let you know when I’m done.” He stepped toward the back room.

I followed. “I made sure I could join you.”

“Why?” His question held a hard edge.

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