“Sesame asked for a sneak peek, so I thought I’d hand-deliver them,” Joplin said, holding up the envelope. Her gaze slid around the foyer like she was looking for something or someone.
“Sesame isn’t here right now. She had an emergency shopping trip come up,” Riley said, dragging Burt forward. “But we’ll be happy to make sure she gets the shots as soon as she comes home.”
“I don’t mind waiting,” Joplin said.
Nick gave Tommy a hard glare. “She said she’d be gone all day. Didn’t she, Tommy?”
He let out a strangled cough. “Uh. Yes. All day. She’s going shopping all day,” he parroted.
“You sure everyone’s okay?” Joplin asked, clearly not buying a word of their explanation.
“Everyone but the hollandaise,” Nick said glibly, ushering her out the door.
“Thanks for checking though,” Riley said.
“Have Sesame call me when she gets back,” Joplin said from the doorstep.
“Yep,” Nick said before slamming the door in her face.
“Oh my God! Where’s the finger?” Riley hissed.
Burt was quivering. Tommy was shivering. “Neither one of you fucking move,” Nick told them. He gave the marble floor a quick once-over. Unfortunately, it appeared that a gray, severed finger blended in well with the silver veining.
“Did you see where it landed?” Riley asked Tommy.
With a shaky finger, he pointed in the direction of the staircase.
“Thorn, you take the north side. I’ll take the south.”
“I never should have gotten out of bed today,” she muttered.
“You better get ready to talk, Tommy, ’cause your ass isn’t leaving here without telling me why a human giant just delivered a finger to you in my fucking house,” Nick warned as he crawled on his hands and knees.
“I-I think I’m going to be sick again,” the man moaned.
“Go barf and then get back here,” Nick told him.
Tommy ran in the direction of the powder room.
“Aha! Found it,” Riley said. “Gimmie the tongs.”
He found her on her hands and knees, her face pressed to the floor, peering under a console table Jasmine had gifted them when they’d moved in.
“Donottell Jasmine we got severed finger on her housewarming present,” Riley said when Nick handed over the tongs and positioned himself behind her.
“My lips are sealed,” he promised.
The front door swung open, and their neighbor Fred walked in. He was rocking a blond toupee this morning and holding a tape measure. “Oh, hey there! Didn’t think anyone would be awake yet. Whatcha doin’? Never mind. You’re obviously having s—”
“Not now, Fred!” Riley said as she reached under the table.
“Get out!” Nick bellowed.
“Jeez! I’m going. I’m going.” He left, muttering about morning grumps.
“Got it!” Riley triumphantly held up the tongs and the finger.
“You’re a hell of a girl, Thorn. You sure that’s the right one?” Nick quipped.
