Page 140 of Not That Ridiculous

“You’ve changed your tune.”

You too, I managed not to say.

“Was it the same deal as with Ray Underwood?” she asked. “Storage tub under the floor? Or was it in the garden? Give me something, bro.”

“Close enough to Ray’s deal, although I really can’t give you the details while it’s still an open investigation.”

“Charliiieeee.”

“Can’t.”

“Ugh. That must have been so gross, though. Coming face to face with a dead person.” She made abrrrrnoise. “Did you throw up?”

I probably would have if he’d been fresher, but I’d been to museums. I’d seen mummies before, and that’s what he was. A mummified cowboy.

I was more bothered by the cowboy bit than the mummy bit.

“No, I didn’t throw up,” I said.

“Bet you screamed.”

“I didn’t, but Kevin did.” I winced. Okay, I hadn’t meant to say that.

“Kevin Wallis found it? Shit, this really is the same deal as Ray Underwood. It was a mummy, wasn’t it?”

“Draw whatever conclusions you like, Ames. I’m not talking.”

“I’m drawing some interesting conclusions about Kevin,” she said. “Want to talk about that?”

“Hanging up now, bye.”

“Charlie!” She laughed. “Don’t go. I…I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve been right here. I’m always here.”I didn’t go anywhere.

“I know. I’m sorry. Listen, all aggro aside, shall I come home? Yes, it will only be for a few days. It’ll be worth it. I can see your beautiful face, and we can hang out. Touch base.”

“Why not? I’ll put you in the guest room. I’m pretty sure there aren’t any dead guys stashed in there. I mean, I haven’t checked yet. But pretty sure.”

“Eep.”

I grinned. “Don’t bother coming home. It’s not worth the cost of the flight, and there’s nothing you can do. If you want to see my face, video call me. Besides, I don’t even know when I’ll be allowed back in my house. I doubt they’ll keep me out long. I’m not in a hurry, in any case. I’m staying with Adam and Ray. So far I’m giving them a solid eleven out of ten for hosting.”

“First I’m hearing things about you and Kevin Wallis, and now you’re shacking up with hot boy Adam Blake and his cutie-pie husband?”

“That’s not quite how it is, Amalie, but I’ve got to get back to work, so…”

“Right. And you’re sure you don’t want me to fly home?”

“I’m sure.”

“I hear you, but I still feel like I should.”

“It’s not as if you can do anything, even if you were here. Hell,Ican’t do anything. There’s nothingtodo. This is just one of those weird little life blips. That’s all it is.”

It took another five minutes to get her off the phone, but I was smiling when I hung up.

She’d promised to call soon and check in with me—and to get the goss on my whole situation, of course.

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