“You are connected to the Lordes through Aiden and to Rich through Danny,” Pauley countered. “The Walker sisters are connected to Danny and Rich. You are all connected in one way or another.”
Maybe, but an argument could be made for most people in that case. I grabbed the notepad I’d left on the counter and quickly sketched out a terrible reproduction of the BGC tattoo before jumping off the washing machine and pinning it next to the picture of Danny. “This tattoo is on Kelsey Walker, Danny Pucci, and Rich Pucci,” I said. “Any idea what BGC stands for?”
Pauley scrutinized the drawing. “No. Does the mortician Krissy Walker have the same tattoo?”
“How did you know she’s a mortician?” I asked.
“I overheard my mother and your mother discussing the article,” he admitted. “Your mother is hoping you’re not making a huge mistake with Aiden Devlin, and my mother is furious with the reporter who wrote the article.” He slid his hands into his pocket. “Your father thinks you’re still a virgin, according to what your mother said to mine.”
I coughed.
Pauley rocked back on his heels. “Fathers are purposefully blind, I have decided. Even so, I believe everyone would like for you to keep your private life out of the newspaper.”
“I’d like that, too,” I grumbled.
Pauley nodded as if his job was done. “You did not answer me. Does Krissy Walker have that tattoo?”
“I don’t know.” I stepped closer to the board. “She is dating Rich Pucci, so it’s possible.”
“Do not try to figure out how to get her naked,” Pauley warned, his upper lip twitching a minuscule amount. “You are in enough trouble right now, and assault or battery or perhaps harassment would give Nicolo no other option but to fire you. You need your job to buy shoes that make you happy.”
I wanted to nudge him but contented myself with smiling. “Shoes make a lot of people happy.”
“Helloooo,” came from the other room as my front door opened.
Pauley and I jumped and scrambled out of the laundry room as if we’d been caught sneaking cookies from Nana O’Shea.
“Aunt Rachel.” I hurried toward her for a hug. She was the exact opposite of Uncle Sean with her petite frame and sparkling brown eyes.
“Hello.” She hugged me with one arm and then handed over a grocery bag that smelled like fresh salmon. “I got you some good pieces that were protected from the gravel.” She angled her head to the side. “What were you two doing?”
“Nothing,” I said, while Pauley looked down at his perfectly tied tennis shoes.
Rachel’s chin lowered. “You had better not be getting Pauley involved in a case. Last time you both got kidnapped.”
“I totally agree.” I took the bag toward the kitchen. Having Pauley study a board in my laundry room wasn’t exactly getting him involved. “Do you want to stay for dinner?”
“Can’t,” Aunt Rachel said. “We have plans tonight in the valley. How was your session, Pauley?”
Pauley looked up at her and then looked away. Many autistic people didn’t like keeping eye contact. “It was good. People get Shingles, Cousin Wanda is happy being single, and Anna is probably not a virgin.” He moved to walk toward the door. “Thank you, Anna. Goodbye.”
Chapter 22
Istared at the board that now had a picture of me on it while dialing Aiden’s number.
“Hey, Angel,” he answered.
Heat flew throughout my body. I liked that. A lot. “A truck turned over in the valley earlier today.”
“What’d we get?”
I grinned. “Salmon. My aunt brought me several steaks. Are you up for dinner tonight?”
“And then some,” he said, his voice low and rough.
A shiver wound its way through my entire body. Oh, this was so bad. “All right.” I cleared my throat because I’d gone all hoarse for some reason. “What time?”
The sound muffled, and a gunshot echoed. Then he was back. “I’m going to be late—probably ten-ish. Do you mind eating that late?”
