Page 64 of Ghostlighted
“If he gives me permission, I can let you know about our conversation. I’ll call you as soon as I know something.”
“I appreciate it. I’m sorry I interrupted your date.”
“Are you kidding? If you hadn’t interrupted us, neither of us would have ever forgiven you.” Another soft murmur. “Well,okay, we’d have forgiven you. But groveling would have been necessary, and only if Ricky said it was okay.”
I sagged against the porch railing. “Thanks, Taryn.”
“There’s no need to thank me, although I should definitely thank you. For looking out for Ricky. I’m glad he’s got somebody like you in his corner.”
“Just make sure he doesn’t paint himself into one and we’ll call it even, okay?”
“You got it. I’ve got to go.”
I let my hand drop to my side, still clutching the phone like a lifeline. I needed Gil in my arms to steady me, but he was still with Avi. I trudged to the other end of the porch and dropped onto the swing. It swayed under me as I propped my elbows on my knees and let my head fall forward.
I don’t know how long I sat there, but it must have been at least an hour, because when Taryn called me back, she was already in Richdale.
Before I could choke out a question, she said, “I haven’t seen him yet. He’s still in booking. But I know what the charges are and why they suspect Ricky.”
“That’s so ridiculous. Ricky would never?—”
“Maz. They were debating whether to arrest you, too.”
“Me? Wh— Oh, did Liam accuse me after all?”
“No. He had nothing to do with it. Sofia collapsed because somebody tampered with her medication.”
“Did the pharmacy make a mistake?”
“No. The new bottle was fine and had all the expected pills in it. The previous bottle was missing, so they assume it had already been discarded. But the remaining pills in the case cause an increase in heart rate, the opposite of what she should be taking for her condition.” She took an audible breath. “The only fingerprints on the new bottle and the pill minder were Ricky’s.” She took another breath. “And yours.”
“But… but…” How did they evenhavemy fingerpr— Oh, right. My TSA known-traveler number. It had been so long since I’d flown anywhere that I’d forgotten about it.
“The EMTs said you’re the one who brought the medications to the ambulance, so they’re only considering you a possible person of interest right now. Depending, I suppose, on whether Ricky blurts out another nonspecific confession.”
“Don’t let him do that, okay?”
“I’ll do my best. Talk soon.”
I set the phone on the seat next to me and buried my face in my hands. There was no way that Ricky would have replaced Sofia’s meds any more than I would have. But if Taryn wasn’t able to keep him from incriminating himself, or worse, taking a plea deal for something he didn’t do, he could be convicted for it, anyway.
For that matter, would he be tempted to confess to protectme? Based on the forensics, I was the only other potential suspect at the moment.
“Maz? Is this a bad time?”
The soft male voice was vaguely familiar, so I pushed away the urge to snarl. When I looked up, Dominik and Jillie Vlahos were standing on my walk, at the foot of the porch steps. I pushed my curls off my forehead and forced the facsimile of a smile.
“No worries. What can I do for you?”
“Bernadette sent us to check out a few things in your kitchen so she’ll know what to expect when she cooks for us here tomorrow.”
I winced.Crap. I’d invited the Vlahoses for dinner, and I’d forgotten about it completely.
“If you need to reschedule…” Dominik said slowly.
“No. No, it’s fine.” Maybe forcing myself to be marginally sociable would keep me from mental doomscrolling 24/7. “IfBernadette wants to scope out the kitchen, I’m surprised she didn’t come herself.”
“She wants to besurprised.” Jillie’s voice was loaded with weariness more suited to a middle school teacher the week before spring break. “You know. By the whole house at once. If she just sees the kitchen today, she thinks it will… It will…” She looked up at her uncle. “What did she call it?”
