I WARNED YOU.
Chapter 23
RYDER
JOS: I’ve seen the pics. I want the 4-1-1. Stat. The Drip. Noon.
VAN: I’m in. James, I’m PMSing and NEED chocolate.
JOS: I’ll take an IV of whatever you have on tap.
JAMIE: It’s lunch hour. If I can’t sit with you guys, Van, transcribe.
ME: I’m working.
JOS: The Assignment can come. I’d like to hear his POV.
LYLA: I missing this and a fresh croissant. *Sobbing face emoji*
LYLA: Van, I expect the precision of a court reporter.
LYLA: She was dancing!!
JOS: That wasn’t just dancing. Did you see his arms around her?
VAN: The dress. *Fire emoji* That hint of a smile. Guys, she was smiling.
ME: Hello! I can read.
JAMIE: Ry, you were dancing! *Teary eye emoji*
ME: You all need to get a life. THIS. IS. AN. ASSIGNMENT. I was doing my JOB!
JOS: I like The Assignment.
JAMIE: Me too.
LYLA: The Assignment likey Ry.
VAN: LOL
ME: I hate all of you.
JOS: Ok. See you at noon, OR we’ll bring pizza over tonight. Your choice, hottie.
ME: James, are you familiar with some kind of peanut butter cookie that’s filled with peanut M&Ms, chocolate, and oatmeal?
JAMIE: Hmm. Why?
______
I roll my shoulders and neck, needing the fierce tension to ease. I’m halfway to a migraine, and the pounding in my head must stop.
“What do you think that is?” Track leans over his desk, where I’ve laid out the pictures, emails, and the map I’ve created.
I spent all night trying to piece it all together and connect the threats to someone in Cole’s circle while shoving his secret freezer cookies in my mouth. They might possibly be the best thing I’ve ever eaten, and I needed sugar therapy while I ran through this over and over, trying to make sense of it all.
“I don’t know.” I grab the picture of Cole’s spray-painted SUV off the desk and hold it closer, inspecting the mark beneath the large, bright orange letters.
