“Better work fast,” Jem said.“The show is this weekend, and you know the drag stores close early.”
A surprisingly boyish grin slipped across Tean’s face.“Oh my gosh, when he said that, I actually thought I was going to die.”
“I know.It was awesome.”Jem cocked his head.“Want to know thereallyscary thing?”
“Please, Jem.I can’t talk about nipple-piercing any more tonight.”
“Oh no, this is way worse.”Jem leaned in and whispered, “What wasAmmonlike as a teenager?”
For a moment, Tean’s face was blank.And then he groaned.He sank down in his seat.If his bones had cooperated, Jem was pretty sure he would have melted under the bleachers.“Oh my gosh,” Tean whispered in total horror.
“That bad?”
“You have no idea.He thought he wassocool.”
Laughing, Jem nudged Tean.“Eat your sandwich.At least half.And then you’re officially off duty, and you’re not allowed to worry about Daniel for twelve hours.”
Tean made a face, but he did take a bite of his sandwich.As soon as he swallowed, though, he said, “How did we not know Kai’s mother was still alive?”
“Well, we didn’t investigate Kai, for one reason.After the shit went down with Rydel, the police took over.It wasn’t our job.”
Nodding, Tean picked at his sandwich.It was one of the things he did to make it look like he was eating, and even though he was perhaps the smartest person in the world, he somehow still hadn’t caught on to the fact that it didn’t fool Jem.“Do you think the police talked to her?”
“I’m sure they talked to her at some point.How long ago is a different question.What I want to know is if River talked to her.”
Tean nodded.“I thought about what you said.I agree that it seems like too much of a coincidence that Diane Winfield suggested River talk to Kai’s mother, and within a short time, both River and Kai’s mother are dead.”
“So, the obvious thing that one of us needs to say: Kai’s mom told River something that Kai didn’t want her to know.Kai found out, and he killed River.Then he killed his mom to keep her from telling anyone else.”
“That seems plausible.But what did Kai’s mom know that was so threatening?And how did Kai find out that she told River?”
Jem shrugged.“Either way, we should take a look at the house.”
“Yes, I think so too.”
“Look at us: soulmates.”
Tean cocked an eyebrow at him.
“But you’re going to be in serious trouble, mister, if you think you can keep poking that salami and I won’t notice that you’re not actually eating it.”
The outrage on Tean’s face was too good.
“Also,” Jem added, “if you want to talk more about poking the salami—”
Tean shook his head frantically and took a big bite.Then he frowned.Mid-chew, he stretched behind Jem and picked something up.
The donor packet from Rainbow House, the one Jem had shoved in his back pocket after his little fun run through Wendell’s house.
“Is this yours?”Tean asked.
“Oh.Yeah, did that fall out?”
Jem reached for the packet, but Tean already had it flat against one knee as he turned the pages.
“Is this for Rainbow House?”
“Yep.”
