“I haven’t even had coffee,” I said, recoiling from that visual.
“You did what you thought was right. It’s not your fault she’s off her rocker.”
“She had nightmares last night. Crawled into bed with us because she couldn’t sleep,” I confessed.
“I’ve already called my most reliable PI and a few others too,” Gamble said. “They’re already on her trail, and with the photos witnesses sold to the vultures, they have enough of a description to go on.”
“I really appreciate it.”
“That’s what family does,” Gamble deadpanned. “Anyone who traumatizes my grandkids will get my foot up their ass!” he declared. “And you tell Travis I’m proud of him! You know what? Never mind. I’ll call him myself.”
“He’s still in bed.”
“Young people these days. No respect for daylight. How do you think I got so rich? Sleep is for the lazy.”
I made a noncommittal sound and poured some coffee. The rich scent permeating the room was a balm to my frazzled nerves.
How the hell did the press get wind of Drew considering retirement?
We’d only just talked about it ourselves. And in the comfort of our own bed.
Jesus, did someone have some kind of tap on our phones?
“Now what’s this about Drew retiring?” Gamble cut into my thoughts. “I need to know if it’s just fake news.”
The diner.
I must have made a sound when it dawned on me because Gamble spoke again. “Trent? What is it?”
“We went to dinner last night,” I said, then hastily explained, “Before Andi.”
“Obviously, I know you weren’t out after your daughter needed you.” He confirmed.
“Right before we left the diner, Drew mentioned retiring. It was brief. We left so we could talk about it in private.”
“Well, someone heard and decided it was their chance at a payday,” he surmised.
I sipped my coffee without bothering to add creamer. I needed the jolt of caffeine right about then. “I’ll have Drew call you after we deal with the police.”
“Take care of the kids first.” Gamble agreed. “We’ll have this wrapped up before Travis’s birthday party this weekend.”
My stomach tightened a little thinking about the party. So much had happened since last night. I hoped adding a party wouldn’t be too much.
“I bought him a car.”
Coffee spewed from my mouth and rained over the counter. “W-what?”
“It’s his birthday.”
“You can’t just buy him a car.”
“Why not?” He wondered. “It’s a grandfather’s right.”
Drew’s and my biological fathers might not be around, but our kids didn’t lack for family. Between Gamble, Romeo’s parents, and Braeden’s mother and stepfather, Andi and Travis had three sets of “grandparents.”
No one went by blood around here. Not even Rome’s mom, Valerie. That woman was a kid hoarder.
“We, ah…” I began, rubbing the back of my neck. “We already got him one.”
