Page 91 of Murder on Charity Lane

A new formless worry, like she’d missed something important. Something outside the Cottages?

Huh. She thought back, but nothing occurred to her.

She pulled to the curb at the high school and Riley slammed inside and said, “Why would he say that?”

“What?” Ocean asked.

“Yeah, no.”

“What?”

Riley turned to her and hissed, “Not talking to you!”

“Oh.” Ocean started driving, then four blocks later said: “‘Thanks for the ride, Oma. How was your day? Let me tell you about chemistry class.’”

“Bio,” Riley corrected.

Ocean eyed her. “Are you talking to me now?”

“Duh. And I’m taking bio, not chemistry. I’m not taking the AP test, though, so don’t ask.”

“I didn’t know there was an AP test.”

“Of course there’s an AP test.”

“Are you taking it?”

To her relief, Riley snickered. “You’re such a dad.”

Ocean mock-gasped as she began to drive up Carrillo Hill to the Mesa. “That’s the meanest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“I need to up my game.”

“Ha. So Mrs. B is pretty upset about CJ.”

“As if you aren’t.”

“I’m okay,” Ocean said. “I mean … I’m okay.”

Riley turned in her seat to look at her. “Can we talk about how weird it is that everyone at the Cottages keeps getting arrested?”

“Is that weird, or is that just Mrs. B?”

“Point.”

“I’m thinking of taking her for a spa day to cheer her up,” Ocean said. “And she’d love if you came along. What do you think about girls’ day out in Ojai?”

“You can afford a spa day?”

“Well, uh…” Ocean felt her face warm. She hated that her children had to worry about her finances. “I’ll have Mrs. B pay.”

“You’re as bad a daughter as I am!”

Ocean smiled. “And that is the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, my sweetest child.”

“Second sweetest. Sure, I’ll come—if I can get another piercing.”

“Anywhere on the ear,” Ocean bargained. “And you’re paying for it.”