“A mistake is bringing me a burger without bacon when I specifically asked for bacon.”
“That happened one time,” I said.
“Best friends know best friends’ burger orders.”
“True. Which is why it only happened one time. I know you like your burgers without the lettuce and tomato because veggies have no right to be on top of meat. And mayo doesn’t belong on hot things, which is why you always ask for extra ketchup on the side. And crispy bacon of course.”
“Exactly.” The laughter was back in Rob’s voice.
It was now or never. “I need a favor, Rob.”
Rob groaned.
“I know Hunter Tech has a prototype for an undetectable camera. Can I borrow it?”
“There’s only one prototype, man. And how do you even know about that?”
“You told me.”
“I never told you about it,” Rob said. “It’s highly classified.”
I laughed. “Isn’t that only for government stuff? Rob, you told me a few guys’ nights ago. We were talking about sexting, remember?”
“No, I don’t remember.”
“Well, you did get pretty drunk,” I said. “Pretty sure you even sexted me.”
“I did not sext you. I only sext my wife.”
“Rob you sext me all the time. I have at least a dozen texts of your left ass cheek on my phone.”
“Fine, I occasionally send you pictures of myself in what some might deem compromising positions. But only because you’re the only one that’s seen my mole since it first showed up, so who else is supposed to tell me if it’s grown?”
“A dermatologist.”
“Psh. I’m not showing a stranger my left ass cheek. And by the way, you should delete those photos after I send them to you. They’re also highly classified.”
I laughed. “So in exchange for staring at your ass a few times a year, can I maybe borrow that camera? I’ll give it back, I swear. I just need it for one night.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes.” There was an awkward silence.
“I’m going to need more details than that, Matt,” he said. “What do you need it for?”
I didn’t want to tell Rob about my mission to get the hitwoman to confess everything. He’d tell me it was too dangerous. He’d tell me not to go through with it. But I didn’t really have a choice. Telling him it would help save Scarlett would guarantee me a yes. “It’s to get Poppy and Mr. Pruitt off my back. And keep Scarlett safe. I have a plan to corner the hitwoman that’s after me and get her to confess everything. I’m hoping the footage will be enough to get Mr. Pruitt sent to prison where he belongs.”
“You’re going to corner a hitwoman? All by yourself?”
“Tanner’s helping me.”
“Tanner? Ugh. He barely counts as help. I’ll help you.”
I didn’t want Rob to help me. He had a wife and kids at home that relied on him. Not that something happening to Tannerwouldn’t be awful too. I’d sure miss him a ton. And what would Nigel do without him?Probably follow me around…
“Rob, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Too late. You need me. I’m the one with the camera.”