Page 82 of In the Line of Ire

"Uh..."said Patrick as he gulped.

"Wheredid you get this video?"

"I madeit."

"And youuploaded it." My heart pounded.

"It'sbeen viewed two hundred thousand times!"

"It's soembarrassing!"

"Hardlyanyone can tell it's you!" said Patrick, a blush creeping onto hischeeks.

"You allknew."

"That’sonly because we know you," said Chloe. "You're ourauntie."

"It'sreally funny," said Sam. "We all think so."

"All ofyou?"

"Sure.We've all watched it like ten times each!"

"Patrick, you have to take this down," I said.

"Why?"

"What'sgoing on?" asked Dad again.

"AuntLexi doesn't want the video of her dressed as a beer glass andfalling down outside Aunt Lily's bar being seen online," explainedPatrick.

"That'syou?!" hooted Dad. "That's hilarious!"

I glaredat him. "It's so mortifying!"

"Patrickis getting paid for it," said Sam smugly.

I turnedto him, frowning. "What?!"

"Videoswith lots of views can make you a lot of money," said Patrick. "Ihave ten videos now and they're all getting lots of hits becausepeople love this one although they're checking out the others too.I'm putting all the money into the Graves' family college fundaccount."

"Oh." Isat down, his phone still in my hand. The anger gradually ebbingout of me.

"Let mesee," said Dad and I handed it to him. "Patrick, you really shouldhave asked your Aunt Lexi and Aunt Lily's permission before postingthis. Do you understand why it could have embarrassedthem?"

"Because itisembarrassing," said Patrick. He stared at his feet. "I didn'tthink they would mind, Grandpa. It's not the first time they'vedone something embarrassing."

"I don'tknow what you mean," I huffed as I folded my arms.

"All thesame," said Dad. "I'm going to hold onto this until your parentsget here and then we're going to talk about it. It's the rightthing to do. Okay?" He waited for Patrick to nod, then he looked atme before he pocketed the cellphone.

"Okay,"I agreed. "But I'm not sure I want that video online and we shouldtalk to Aunt Lily too." The income angle was new and college cost alot of money. Could I really begrudge my nieces and nephews thatsubstantial boost to their shared college fund? Even at my expense?But on the plus side, no matter how mortifying tonight was, themystery of Purple Monster was finally satisfactorilysolved.

Now allI had to do was confirm my hunch that Natalie's landlord hadsomething to do with all the creepy events that were occurring ather house. We were also on the cusp of cracking the counterfeitingring. Perhaps tonight wasn’t so bad after all.

Chapter Eighteen

"Comeagain!" My mother waved frantically as Maddox and Sadiq left thehouse ahead of Solomon and me.

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