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“I don’t know.”

I frowned. “But they’re your grandkids.”

“It’s complicated in a lot of ways. Ways that are not my story to tell.”

“But—”

“Jade, if you need to know this one, ask Gabriel.”

I huffed. “We both know that’s a bad idea.”

“It is, but this one is personal.”

I almost pushed him again. I knew I could get him to break if I tried hard enough.

But there was something else I needed to ask. I looked at the tip screen—something no one else ever used, and Atticus had added way too much for a tip. That and the gifts moved him higher on the list.

“You know, you always overpay. Are you made of money or something?”

“I have enough. Why?”

“You have enough to rejuvenate the town?”

Atticus immediately laughed. “No. Not that much. Whoever has done all of this has to be loaded.” He shook his head. “You don’t really think it’s me, do you?”

“Not really. But I had to ask.”

“I’m happy to answer. I do hope you find out who it is, though. Everyone owes them one hell of a thank-you.”

“We do.”

He gave me one last smile before walking out the door. I sighed and made a mental note to cross one more person off the list of suspects.

8

GABRIEL

Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch

Kerry Winsor: Did anyone hear that boom???

Comments:

Atticus Thompson: Gabe’s kids threw a chair out his window.

Kerry Winsor: Very funny. Can I get a real answer?

Kerry Winsor: Wait, why is there a CHAIR on the square?

Atticus Thompson: I just told you.

Kerry Winsor: They’re two tiny little girls! How much chaos could they cause?

“This is a terrible idea,” I muttered to myself.

Agnes was already hanging off the playground equipment across the street. Beatrice was by my side, but her eyes traced every corner of the square, possibly trying to find something else to get into.

I wasn’t sure what possessed me to get out of the house with them today. But confinement in the apartment was driving me and the girls up a wall. Agnes had already called me the spawn of Satan and tried to hit me in the balls.