Georgiana patted my shoulder, having no problem reaching me from the back seat. “We do need to find a hacker. You know? Somebody who can break into everyone’s computers.”
I swallowed rapidly. “That’s illegal, Georgiana.”
She lifted both hands. “Sure, but every detective agency has a good hacker to crack cases.” She eyed me through the rearview mirror. “You have tons of relatives. Surely one of them can break into the Pentagon or something.”
“Nope,” I said instantly. “The Albertini’s aren’t good with computers. Sorry.” Actually, I could name several relatives who probably could hack into a bank database or something, but none of them would do it. Probably. Either way, I wasn’t getting involved with that one.
We drove in silence for the rest of the way until I dropped them off, politely refusing the tray of cookies they offered. I’d eaten their spiked bakery goods before and wasn’t taking the chance. Then I drove across town and parked in front of Mac’s Burgers, Violet’s workplace, ducking through the snow to find her at a table across from Jolene O’Sullivan.
I blinked away fury as well as snowflakes, my boots squishing on the tiled floor to reach the booth. “Violet, how’s it going?”
“Good.” The girl sipped what looked like a milkshake, looking young and sweet in her yellow sweater and faded jeans. “I finished work about a half-hour ago and was just eating a really late lunch.” Her deep blue eyes sparkled. “Your friend sat down, and we’ve been chatting.”
“Great.” I forced a smile and barely kept from smacking Jolene on the back of the head. “Why don’t you get your stuff, and we’ll take off?”
“Sure.” Violet scooted from the booth. “Nice to meet you, Jolene.” She took her empty glass and basket, heading around the counter.
I slid into her seat, losing all niceties. “What do you think you’re doing?” I kept my voice low.
Jolene smiled, still looking like the perfect high-school cheerleader with her blonde hair and light blue eyes—until you really looked at those eyes. They held a boatload of calculation and what I imagined to be evil. Maybe not pure evil. Just the annoying kind like tree sap on a new car. “I was just talking to your young friend about how you’re helping her to find a good place to live and not foster care. Do the authorities know about this?”
I could not believe Aiden had dated this witch in high school. “Have you been following me?” That was the only way she could’ve known about Violet.
She shrugged. “You won’t talk to me about the Santa murder, and my editor wants the story. Now.”
“Translation is yes, you have been following me.” I wondered what she’d do if I just smacked her on the nose. Probably hit me back, and then we’d be in a fight at a burger joint and not illustrating a good example for young Violet. “Leave me alone, or I’ll have you arrested for harassment.” I started to scoot from the booth.
“Before or after I call the authorities about your young friend?” Jolene purred.
Yeah, I so wanted to hit her. If for no other reason than she put a dent in the sisterhood and how we should treat each other. “I have no comment on your story, Jolene.”
She sat back, looking like a cat that had caught a good ball of yarn. “How’s Aiden, anyway? You two finding domestic bliss, or have you discovered that there’s no way that man is settling down? Ever.”
Violet returned with her pack over her shoulder and a donut in her hand, Bowser trotting behind her. He must’ve been hidden in the back somewhere. “Do you want a pastry?”
“No thanks,” I said, ushering her to the door. “We should probably get going.”
“I’m not done with you, Anna,” Jolene called out. “I’ll be at your office first thing in the morning, and I suggest you talk to me.” She left the threat unsaid.
The one against Violet.
Chapter 29
We were already on the other side of the pass, dog snoring in the backseat when my phone buzzed. I saw on the car’s navigation screen that it was Aiden, so I swiped it. “Hi. You’re on speaker with Violet, Bowser, and me.” I peered through the windshield at snow that seemed to be blowing sideways.
“Hi, Angel,” Aiden said.
Violet sighed, snuggling deeper into her seat.
I hid my sigh but tingled all over. “Hi.”
“Where are you?” he asked.
“About ten minutes out from my aunt’s,” I said.
The sound of papers being shuffled filtered through the speakers. “What’s Yara serving, anyway?”
“Her taco bar.” I passed a camper going way too slow.
