“Thank you.”
“No, no. Thank youz. By the way, ask Sammy how’s she’s doing on my research. Tell her I got a few more things I could use some help with.” Laughing, he hangs up.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sam
Pacing by our picture window, I glance at the time and grimace. Suds has been gone for hours. The last time he did this, I found him in upstate New York but that was before the zombie-pocalypse.
Jumping at the ring tone, I snatch my cell phone but it’s Rose calling me for the third time tonight. “He home yet?”
“No.” Heaving a deep sigh I sit next to Catrina and scratch her willing head. Even though my cousin switches on her video, I don’t, because I look like shit.
Dark eyes, similar to mine, soften. “Did you try Slate?”
“Y-yeah.” Tears well and my throat tightens but I hold it together. If Rose finds out how miserable I am, my phone will start ringing off the hook.
“Lucky?”
“You already asked and no.”
“He’ll be home soon. He loves you, Sam.” While I appreciate her certainty, I can’t share it, not this time.
“You should’ve seen his face. I’ve never seen him so mad and it was so not fair. He agreed to the sting.”
“Maybe he was pissed because Catrina saved the day?”
“She was pretty brilliant.” I reward her attempt at cheering me up with a half-smile. “Yeah, but she keeps jumping on the keyboard and I hate to scold her.”
“When Suds comes home, you should apologize.”
“For what? Almost getting killed?”
“Sam, Sam, Sam. He’s a guy. And why not go back and work for the FBI?”
“I already told you. It’s a good old boys club and I’m tired of being overlooked. I like working for myself and love not having some jackass boss telling me what I’m doing wrong because he’s too stupid to see that I’m actually doing everything right… and then some. And Suds feels the same way… at least most of the time. Shit. I don’t know anymore. I wish he’d come home so we can talk.” Pacing, I glance up and down the deserted street.
“Did you call your mom yet?” Rose knows full well I didn’t but the guilt trip doesn’t work.
“Can you? Tell her my phone broke?” Mommy dearest would love to rehash my every mistake since the dawn of time and I can’t handle it, not right now.
“I’m sure she just wants to make sure you’re alright.” Rose’s pleading reaches deaf ears.
“I already got a ton of shit from Joey, Vinny, Petey, and my Dad. I’m all lectured out.”
Her voice uncharacteristically softens. “Ah, do you think maybe you should listen to what they’re saying?”
Why does everyone want me to quit my job? No one is asking Sebastian to step down. No one thinks he is too careless. I’d hang up but she’s not just my cousin, she’s my best friend.
“Hun, this was not my fault. I swear. All I did was investigate a cold case. Everyone makes it sound like I purposefully taunted a murderer. Cat did it.”
“You make my point.” Rose raises her dark brows and waits for me to respond.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Maybe, justmaybe, cursing the killer was a bad idea but I swear I never meant to send it.”
Unfolding The New York Post, she reads the headline. “Local Lady Dick Says Fuck You to Serial Strangler.”
I can’t deal.“Listen, I got to go.”
