“What are you talking about?”
“Uh, how about telling me I suck at my job every step of the way?”
“Well, you—”
“If you’re about to tell me I suck again, I’m hanging up.”
The exact words caught in my throat. I sheepishly cut myself off. “Sorry. I guess I have been a little harsh.”
“Uh-huh. Understated, too.”
I rolled my eyes again and wished he could see it.
A pause passed. I let the comfort of being on the phone with him settle over me like a blanket.
“How’s your ankle?” he asked.
I flexed my foot. “You know, it’s feeling a lot better.”
“Good. I’m glad some rest helped.”
“Yes, but it might also have been Melanie Browning’s award-winning enchilada casserole that did the trick.”
“Oh? And how did you come by that?”
“She hand-delivered it to my door as part of my condolence package for losing my fake uncle.”
He paused, and I assumed we were sharing the same thoughts. “Ah, right. That.”
“Yeah. What are we going to do about that, by the way?”
“I guess roll with it for now.”
“Okay. I actually have an update for you.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, I didn’t know what to do with myself when I got home, so I went down a rabbit hole on Montrose, and found out it’s the name of a black-market supplier.”
“How did you come by that information?” he asked, sounding impressed and surprised.
“Doesn’t matter. But they run all sorts of things: guns, drugs,baby products.” I let the words linger. “And apparently there’s chatter over a seized shipment. I’m thinking this has to be what’s got our girls in trouble.”
Bray stayed quiet for a minute. “Interesting. I’ve got eyes at all the local ports, and no one has reported a seized shipment of baby products.”
A tiny wave of relief swelled inside me. At least he’d done that right.
“Yes, obviously there’s still a missing piece here,” I said.
“But it’s more than we had, so thank you.”
The praise fizzled through me. I was so unused to the feeling, it made me a little dizzy. “You’re welcome. Were you able to find out anything today? About my case?”
Bray sighed a weary breath, which set my nerves on edge. “Not really; I’m still battling security clearance. But the timing of Wallace’s death and the reappearance of your ghost seems awfully coincidental. I mean, the only person who knew where you were—andwhoyou are—dies, and then a henchman from your past shows up a few days later?”
The exact thoughts had been milling around my mind, but I’d refused to grant them purchase for fear it was all connected. And hearing Bray say it made me realize, how could itnotall be connected?
“That’s a great thing to tell me when I’m home alone and already freaked out,” I said flatly.
