Page 8 of Death and Do-Overs

As flatly as possible, I said, “Hi.”

“It’s getting dark out there.”

It was getting a different kind of dark in here. “Mmm.”

Jayden hadn’t noticed the package on the table or he would have said something. I inched to the side, following his slight movements to keep the box out of his line of sight.

Jayden slung his coat onto the rack. “Have you gotten all the dogs out yet?”

Right, the dogs. I was supposed to take them before the storm hit so that they’d actually pee.

“I meant to,” I said. “Haven’t yet.”

“We’ll do it together. Saw some wicked lightning on my way in. Once the thunder starts….”

I nodded. We both knew how the day would go.

I wanted to help him with the dogs. I wanted everything to be normal today. I wanted not to have Nie’s head in a box hidden behind my back.

Wants didn’t matter.

“I’m sick,” I lied. “I shouldn’t have come in today.”

“You can go home,” Jayden said. “I can cover things here.”

“You sure?” At the very least, I needed to get the head into my car. But leaving the shelter entirely was by far the best option.

“You, Marnie, have never ever taken a sick day. At least for as long as I’ve been working here.”

It was true. Barnacles used to be so strapped for cash, Wendy would try to take care of everything alone, including not paying herself for her shifts or overtime. I’d done what I could to support her. At least the shelter’s finances had improved. Since Adoptaganza, the shelter had the resources it needed now.

“I’m taking the day,” I said.

“I hope you feel better,” Jayden said with a warm smile. He headed toward the dog room, pausing at the door. “What’s in the box? Kittens?”

My every muscle clenched. I took a breath and tried not to let my discomfort show.

“Nope,” I said, completely calm and normal. There was no way for him to know my heart was trying to beat its way out of my chest or that I wanted to scream just for the release of it. “Not kittens. Personal thing.”

“Kay. Get some rest.”

“Will do.”

I watched him go, then snatched up the box, my belongings, and a pair of work gloves. I hurried out to my car before Jayden could ask me anything else.

Cold rain pelted my shoulders as I curled my body protectively over the cardboard.

Safely inside the car, I checked to make sure Nie was all right. She was, or as all right as a dead person’s disembodied head could be. I strapped Nie’s box in the passenger seat and deflated in the driver’s seat.

My soaked black hair pasted to my head like a helmet. My soaked black peacoat sopped up enough water to keep my skin soggy and chilled for the rest of the day. But none of that mattered.

I had a monumental task ahead of me, possibly insurmountable. I had absolutely no idea where to start. The one person I truly trusted was dead.

Which meant I was on my own. Or….

A shiver of revulsion coursed through me as I realized what I had to do. Every fiber of my being rebelled against it, but there was no other choice.

I needed to ask for help.

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