Ty and Charlotte must’ve gone to bed and took the pets with them. “The coast is clear,” he hissed over his shoulder. Bo crept in behind him.
They locked up, set the alarm system, and settled into bed.
Lucky dreamed of diapers, bottles, and walking into rooms completely filled with crying babies.
***
If Lucky focused hard enough on the case, maybe he’d overcome the temptation to tell Loretta Johnson everything. Her setting up shop at Bo’s old desk put her in Lucky’s proximity way too much of the day.
Until Walter wrangled all the legal issues, he and Bo would keep the news to himself.
He needed to talk to his sister, and soon. Before anyone else.
“Lucky, take a look at this.” Johnson angled her laptop screen into his field of vision.
“What’s two deaths at two different nursing homes got to do with our case?” A case they didn’t completely own anymore and had to report to other agencies.
“Both patients took the same blood pressure medicine.”
“A lot of people take the same medicine.” Even as the words left his mouth Lucky opened another window on his browser and keyed in his favorite drug information site. “Both prescriptions were compounded.”
“Right. And both facilities claimed to have tossed the empty bottles, which we both know would bring the state board of pharmacy down on them so hard folks in Alabama would hear the screaming. Then again, most of the people I spoke to wouldn’t meet my eyes, claimed ignorance, or were suspiciously absent.” Johnson drummed her nails on the desktop. “All six times I showed up unannounced. They can expect a surprise inspection within the next week.” She grinned. “Anonymous tip.”
Lucky raised his gaze to hers. “Go talk to them again. Find out who compounds for the nursing home patients, and if anyone else takes the same medication. If you can get me a sample, I’ll buy you lunch.”
“Bucky’s Barbeque?”
“Wherever you want.” Treating Johnson gave him a free pass to eat ribs and French fries, right? Oh, and sweet tea.
Lucky continued perusing grades and other records from Clifton High. Five years ago they’d ranked second in the state for academics—second to last. Now, they ranked in the top ten. How’d they turn around so fast?
He stared at the bottle of pills on his desk, the ones he’d taken from Ty. Sooner or later he’d get to the bottom of the mess, find the connections he needed.
And probably not like what he found. Though every minute spent at work postponed his inevitable chat with his sister.
Oh, hell. Until he got the conversation over with, he’d be no good at work.
***
Charlotte dabbed at her eyes. A box of tissues sat on one side of her on the kitchen table, a pile of soggy paper on the other. “Y’all don’t need me anymore.” Her shoulders shook with the force of her sobs.
Lucky so didn’t want to be doing this. What the hell was he supposed to say now? He’d almost be willing to keep Alejandro a secret until Charlotte gave birth to Bo’s baby. But how could he explain having a little boy living in the house for months, possibly years?
Nope, not a good plan at all.
“Oh, Charlotte, no.” Bo rubbed a hand over her back. “We need you. You’re family. We love you.” He mouthed, “What can I do?” over the weeping woman’s head.
Time to man up. Lucky pulled out the next chair, parked his ass, and took his sister’s hands in his. “Look, Char. We appreciate what you offered. This has nothing to do with you not getting pregnant in the first five minutes of trying.”
Charlotte wailed harder. Oops. Well, those sure weren’t the right words.
Bo shot a glance Lucky’s way sharp enough to cut a two-dollar steak. “What Lucky is trying to say is, we need you now more than ever.”
She raised her head and gave a sniffle. Her puffy eyes and red nose stabbed straight through Lucky’s heart. He’d promised to always be there for her, never cause her pain. Once again, he’d failed. “You do?”
Bo pushed a stray lock of hair away from her face, such a tender gesture. Pure Bo. “Of course we do. Neither one of us has much experience with babies, and you’ve raised two kids. Plus, Andro has medical issues. You’re studying to be a nurse. Who better to have around?”
“I can do that.” Charlotte sniffled again. “I still can’t help but think I let you two down. I mean, I offered to help make you parents, and give you a baby of your own flesh and blood.” She paled. “I’m sorry, I…”
