“That’s what I saw too,” Riley agreed.
“Then he showed me a strange pattern. White and brown in thick lines and squares.” Elanora held out her palm. Obediently, Gabe handed over a pen and paper that he’d produced from who the hell knew where.
“He was taken somewhere with this pattern, and his life was ended. Now his soul is free to roam, but his body is still there alone.”
She held out the paper between two bejeweled fingers to Nick. He took it and stared at it. “It looks like a game board?”
“I assure you, Mr. Rupley was not having any fun when he was murdered,” Elanora said sternly.
Nick started to pace the studio.
“What are you thinking?” Riley asked, catching up with him in the corner. Her nose twitched twice.
“I think you already know.”
She winced. “Sorry. I’m still plugged in to the other side or whatever. You want to check Larry’s place to confirm the glitter bomb is there, and you want to call Weber.”
He nodded and stopped in front of her. “I also want you to go home with your parents.”
“But I can help,” she said.
“I know you can. Which is why I need you to work with your grandmother on this.”
She pouted. “But why can’t I go find a dead body with you?”
“Because you and I both know, if you two put your heads together, you would figure out who our killer is. And if you know who he is, we can stop him from coming anywhere near you before your two weeks are up.”
“Ugh. Fine. But just know that you’re way less sexy when you make sense,” she grumbled.
He grabbed her by the front of her tank and kissed her hard.
“Wow,” she said, dazed when he released her. “What was that for?”
“For being my girlfriend. For being a sexy psychic. For wearing those freaking shorts. Take your pick.”
“Wow.”
“I am weary,” Elanora announced. “I would like to go to my daughter’s house and enjoy a steak, medium rare, and wine.”
“Well, Mom, you’re going to have to get a ride and cook your own steak. Roger and I have a couples massage scheduled,” Blossom said.
“Riley will take you,” Nick told her. “Take the Jeep,” he said to Riley, staring down at the piece of paper in his hand. Something niggled in the back of his mind.
Riley paused. “You have a tracker on it, don’t you?”
“We can fight about this later. I’ll put one on my car too. Then we’ll be even.”
“You can’t pre-settle a fight,” she complained. “Besides, I got glitter bombed today. That means I have two weeks before Glitter Guy comes after me.”
“If he sticks to his pattern. Baby, this is for your safety and my peace of mind. Now be a good girl, and don’t make me make Weber throw you in a holding cell downtown.”
“Fine. But for the record, I’m annoyed with you.”
“I can deal with that. Gabe, you’re with Riley and Scary Granny.”
35
11:17 a.m., Tuesday, August 18
