Page 325 of A Matter of Time

“I’m really sorry about your dad.”

“No, no, it’s okay. He’s okay. I think Dane’s more upset about you and… Tell me all about this Sam.”

“He’s just… See, I’m sure Dane thinks he’s gonna hurt me, because that’s what happened the last time, but I love him, and now with these murders, he should know that with Sam here that⁠—”

There was a sudden gasp of indrawn breath. “What did you say?” I filled her in on what Sam had told me, without all the gory details. “Ohmygod,” she cried, and I heard the phone hit the floor. There was rustling, and the word murder was repeated, this time muffled.

“Are you kidding me?” Dane yelled into the phone.

“Wait—”

“Jory, goddamnit! I leave you alone for two weeks and you⁠—”

“Dane, it’s not like⁠—”

“Is he there?” he asked as Sam walked up to the cart and dropped French bread in.

“Who’s on the phone?” Sam yawned, his eyes soft as he looked at me.

I shook my head and lied to my brother. “No.”

“You’re lying. Put him on.”

“Who is it?” Sam’s brows furrowed suddenly.

I moved the phone away from my mouth. “Dane.”

He grunted and held out his hand. “He wants me, right?”

“Yeah, but⁠—”

He wiggled his fingers for the phone. “Just c’mon.”

“He’s pissed off,” I told Sam.

“Who’s pissed off?” Dane snapped at me.

“Not you—I mean yeah, you. You’re the one who’s pissed off.”

“I most certainly am,” he assured me icily. “Put the detective on the phone.”

“Jory,” Sam said sternly, “gimme the fuckin’ phone.”

I passed it to him, and he took a breath before he said hello. I would have loved to eavesdrop, but he walked away after mouthing the word spaghetti at me.

I finished the shopping as fast as I could, and when I was finally done and through the line, I pushed the cart outside to find Sam leaning against the passenger-side door of his SUV.

“You all done talking?” I called over to him.

“Yep.”

I winced. “So what now?”

“Oh, he’s pissed.” He grinned at me. “And he’s terrified about those guys getting killed. He says as soon as he gets home, you’re moving in with him and…Anna?”

“Aja. His wife’s name is Aja.”

“Oh.” He shrugged. “Well, whatever. You’re not going.”