Maisiewasin trouble, maybe more than I knew. Now that I was paying attention, I'd seen plenty of signs – cupboards that were too empty and workdays that were too full.
Maisie was drowning, and I'd been no help at all.
Last night, I'd felt so terrible, I'd told her a desperate lie. I'd claimed that I'd be getting paid on Friday and that I'd be giving her more money for rent.
The first part was pure crap since I received no paycheck at all. But Iwouldmake good on that second half, no matter what it took. I just didn't want her to feel bad, like she was taking money I didn't have.
I even had a plan.
I was still wearing those sapphire earrings, the ones my mom had given me last Christmas. They were genuine stones and a half-carat each. They'd surely be worth something to the right buyer.
I hated the thought of selling them. But desperate times called for desperate measures. And besides, the earrings had never made me happy. Technically, I had bought them for myself – and a pair for Delaney, too – considering that Mom had done her Christmas shopping with my money.
But she'd made such a big deal about how those earrings matched my eyes that I felt guilty whenever I didn't wear them.
Regardless, they had to go. It was as simple as that.
The only problem was, Friday was just a few days away.
I was still wondering how I could sell them when Franny said, "Hey, don't look so worried. I don't think he'll murderher."
I froze. "Wait, what?"
"The hit man," she said.
I shook my head. "What hit man?"
"The guy working at Maisie's shop."
My thoughts scattered like marbles on tile as everything else vanished in a puff of panic. The earrings, the rent, the guilt – it was all gone. All I could think now was, Please let this be a joke.
27
So Now There's a Hit Man?
Tessa
I was staring now. "You're telling me that ahit manis working for Maisie?" I forced a laugh. "I mean…youarejoking, right?"
Franny hesitated. "Well…I'm notsurehe's a hit man. But he's definitely something."
The more she talked, the more muddled I felt. "But you're sure she hired someone?"It seemed impossible. Last night, Maisie hadn't even mentioned placing an ad. Or hanging a sign. Or anything.
Franny gave me a secretive smile. "Well, that's the thing. She's not even paying him."
No way."Are you sure?"
"Positive. That's the craziest part."
I gave her a look. "Crazier than a hit man?"
Her chin jutted outward. "Well, he's definitely in disguise."
"How do you know?"
"Get this. I've seen him two different times, right?"
I had no idea, but I nodded anyway.
