Page 4 of Always Murder

I took a few more seconds for myself.“I don’t understand.The sheriff’s office doesn’t have any detectives.”

Christine must have misinterpreted my tone because she stretched across the table to pat my hand.“It’s okay, sweetheart.You’ll still get to solveallthe murders in this town.Oh, tell them about the time someone ran you over with their car!”

That registered, but I couldn’t engage with it.I said, “Bobby.”

It looked like it took him an effort to meet my gaze, and he said in a low voice that was almost a mumble, “Nothing’s official yet.”

I wanted to know whatthatmeant—and why I hadn’t heard anything, official or not—but an argument erupted between Paul and Ryan.

“Because I’m not supposed to give out free cards!”Ryan shouted.“And I already gave you one, and you lost it!”

“I didn’t lose it!”Paul shouted back.

“Then where is it, der?”

“I don’t know, der!”

“If you don’t know, then you lost it, der!”

“I didn’t lose it, der!You owe me!I traded you my airsoft rifle for that card.”

“Yeah, and it’s a piece of junk!”

“I don’t want you boys playing with those airsoft rifles,” Christine said.“You’ll shoot your eye out.Ryan, give your brother another card.Paul, stop losing everything.”

“KEME NEVER LOSES ANYTHING!”Millie interjected.

“Did he lose his diploma?”Angeline said with a smirk for Kassandra.

Red rose in Keme’s cheeks.

“You’re such a tool!”Paul shoved Ryan, and the younger brother rocked in his seat.

Ryan shoved back.“You’re just jealous because Mr.Hari made me the manager!”

Another shove.“You’re notthemanager.You’reamanager, and you suck!”

“WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?”Millie screamed over them.“WHY ARE YOU BEING SO MEAN TONIGHT?”

“Boys!”Christine clapped her hands.“Boys!”

“I don’t suck!”Ryan bellowed as he tackled Paul, carrying both of them to the floor.“You suck!”

“It’s not my fault you’re dating a high schooler,” Angeline said.

Kassandra sniffed.“He doesn’t even have a car.”

“Paul!”More clapping.“Ryan!Knock it off!”

Millie’s dad chose that moment to get to his feet, drop his napkin on his seat, and head for his man cave.

“KEME DOESN’T NEED A CAR!”Millie shouted, but she sounded like she was about to cry.

“Why not?”Elliott said.“Because he’s got his bike?”

David—or whatever his name was—laughed, and the boyfriends bumped fists.

Millie burst into tears and fled.

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