“Do you know who has chickens, access to video equipment, and hasn’t advertised he has chickens on his propertyyet?”
“No way,” Adrian firmly said, shaking his head. “You want me to invite criminals to the home I share with my family to steal our beloved birds?”
“Can you think of a better way? We could wire their pens for sound. Maybe put little tracking devices around their legs.”
“You think the captain will go for something that extravagant?” Adrian asked.
“I think he might consider it if his best friend’s prized birds were in jeopardy.”
Before we could talk to Gabe, another citizen called to report their chickens were stolen. “Fine! We’re going to do it your way even if I have to pay for this out of my pocket,” Adrian said as he strode for the door. “There’s a war on chickens in this town, and I won’t stand for it.”
A war on chickens? I managed to contain my laughter until Adrian lifted his hand and flipped me off once more. His crude gesture pushed me over the edge, and I had a pissed-off partner when I got to his car.
“You’re lucky I even waited for you,” Adrian said once I lowered myself to the seat and shut the door.
“Oh, what can I do to soothe those ruffled feathers?”
He wanted to stay pissed but couldn’t in the face of my pun.
ICOULDN’T SHAKE THE SADNESSI felt after hearing Anthony was the one who’d been locked in the attic. My thoughts and emotions were on a riotous ride lately, soaring to the highest highs only to drop to the saddest of lows. I was ecstatic to learn Anthony was the ghost in my house but then felt guilty because it would seem he never made it to San Francisco after all. Everyone deserved to be with the ones who made their lives complete. Why would they lock him in the attic? Did Melanie Bliss find out about her husband’s love affair with his best friend? Did Anthony die in the attic, lonely and heartbroken? What then? Did his family secretly bury his body on the land in the dead of night and report him missing?
By the time I got to work, I was an emotional mess. Instead of entering through the kitchen at Books and Brew like normal, I unlocked the rear door to Curious Things and hid in my office. I turned on the desk lamp and turned off the blindingly bright florescent light hanging above my desk. I hated that damn thing on a good day because it created a horrendous glare on my computer screen, but the harshness of it felt like someone took a whip to my already frazzled nerves. I should’ve let Milo know where I was so he wouldn’t worry, especially if he saw my car parked outside.
I couldn’t bring myself to do anything but cry. I propped my elbows on my desk, leaned my face forward until my forehead pressed against the tips of my fingers, and released my heartache. I cried for whatever Anthony and Wallace had gone through—the love, the hope, and the shattered dreams. Having finally experienced what love truly felt like made my sorrow more acute. I stayed that way until I heard the soft sound of someone setting something on my desk. I looked up and met the familiar blue eyes of the person who would always know me best.
“I thought maybe you could use a cup of coffee, your favorite peanut butter and jelly muffin, and a shoulder to cry on,” Milo said. “Knowing you, you’re probably about cried out. You’re seconds away from pulling up your glittery, superhero boots and kicking ass. Whose ass needs kicking?”
“How’d you know I needed these things? You felt my sorrow through our twin link?” It’s what we called our ability to feel one another’s moods. Of course, I called it a twink link when I knew something was bothering Milo or if he wasn’t feeling well.
“Well, I did feel a certain tingling in my spine.”
“That was remnants from Andy’s goodbye kiss,” I teased.
“There will never be a goodbye kiss shared between Andy and me ever again,” Milo said firmly. “I experienced the worst twelve years of my life after the last goodbye kiss we shared. We have see-you-tonight kisses and until-later kisses, but never goodbye.”
“That’s so sweet,” I said then burst into tears again.
“Then why are you crying?” Milo asked gently, scooting a chair over from the corner so I could lean my head against his shoulder. “Is this about Anthony?”
“Did Memphis call you?”
“No, Elijah did.”
“He did? I tried not to show how upset I was by my ghost’s story.” That was the thing. I had stopped thinking of Anthony being the Bliss House ghost; he’d becomemyghost and hearing about his fate felt so personal to me.
“Mae, you’ve loved that house and the mystery since we were little kids. The house and its ghost were always meant to belong to you.” Milo was so full of sass most of the time that I forgot how tender he could be. “Memphis told me what they learned so far. The don’t have any conclusive proof, so please try not to think the worst.”
“I’m trying, Milo. You know how I can’t stand an injustice.”
“Boy, do I ever. You couldn’t sleep for a week after Grace Atkins beat me for student body president our sophomore year in high school.”
“She didn’t win the election fair and square,” I reminded him. “A person shouldn’t win because they’re skilled with their hands and use their mouth for things other than stating their positions on critical issues.”
Milo snorted. “You know how rumors spread in high school. I’m sure her sucking and jacking activities wereblownway out of proportion.” We giggled over his blatant pun usage. “Why are you hiding in your dark office and crying when you have that sexy beast with the broad shoulders at home? Not that I mind lending you a shoulder.”
“You know I don’t like to cry in front of people, Milo.”
“Maegan, I know that better than anyone. Don’t you think I heard and felt your tears when you were so sick? You don’t think the wall between our bedrooms was thick enough to drown out the sounds of your sorrow and pain, do you? I wanted to come to your room every time so we could cry together, but I knew you were trying to spare us by putting on a brave front. I wouldn’t be the person to take that away from you. But you know what? There’s nothing wrong with expressing your feelings and pain. Who better than Elijah to help ease those hurts? Don’t hide from him, Mae. Let him see all the sides of you, not just the sexy, tough girl.” Fresh tears threatened from hearing the anguish in Milo’s voice. I had thought I’d fooled them all, and knowing I hurt him filled me with so much regret.
