It wasn’t the resident care aide Sarah Kachinski, so this wasn’t about her dad.
Ivy took her phone out of silent mode and answered the call.
“Hey.”
“What’s up, bitch?”
“Abs—”
“Don’t start with that. Don’t ‘Abs’ me. We’re still going out tonight.”
Ivy frowned.
“You forgot, didn’t you?”
Forgot what?
“Ivy...ugh, you always do this. We were supposed to go for drinks tonight, remember? When’s the last time you went out?” Abby didn’t hold back. “A month? Year?”
“Abs, I’m sorry, but I can’t go out tonight. I have so much work to do. I promise—next week.”
“Nope.”
“What do you mean,nope?”
“I need to explain it to you? You’re so smart, a goddamn genius, and you don’t—”
“Abs—”
“—understandnope? Let me break it down for you, Ivy. We’re. Going. Out. Tonight. Going to have some drinks. Too many, probably. Maybe meet some cute frat boys. And you’re going to forget all about this nerdy math stuff.”
“I can’t.”
“Youcan. And you better hurry, because I’m sick and tired of sitting on your steps waiting for you.”
Ivy straightened.
“You’re at myhouse?”
“You bet your ass I am. Been here for almost an hour. Called you but... anyways, you better hurry home because I’m not leaving. And you don’t want me to stick around. I stick around and you’re going to end up with duck lips and a BBL. And don’t forget about squatter’s rights,” Abby droned on. “Not sure if they pertain to just staying on your porch, but I wouldn’t mind living in your house. Beats the shit out of my five hundred square foot apartment. Get your ass home,bitch—we’re going out tonight, whether you want to or not.”
?Chapter 11
The moment Landonfinished taking the 3D photos and dismantled the tripod, Darnell left the scene. The retrofitted death chamber was much smaller than the exterior of the barn, and they needed to gain access to the rest of the space.
Vaughn suggested that they unscrew the drywall and remove it, but Darnell had nixed the idea. Said it would take too long.
The medical examiner arrived before Darnell returned. Vaughn had worked beside Dr.Alex Button on several past cases. Liked the guy. Appreciated his no-nonsense approach.
“What are you thinking? Cause of death?”
Dr.Button rolled one of the victims onto his back with gloved hands. Landon helped him out.
“Won’t be able to say for certain until I get these bodies back to the lab.”
No-nonsense, but still a doctor. Just one rung lower on the “hesitant to make assumptions” ladder than a lawyer.
“Consistent with hydrogen sulfide poisoning?” Vaughn asked, remembering what Landon had told them about the readings on his Gas Detector 5000.
