Page 3 of Dead Man's List

“That’s a lie,” Rita said softly. “And you promised that you’d never lie to me.”

Kit sighed. Once again, the kid was right. “Why are you doing this to me?”

“Why are you doing this to yourself?”

Kit’s lips twitched. “You’ve been picking up techniques from Dr.Carlisle.”

Rita’s therapist was Sam’s boss, and the woman made Kit nervous. She—and Rita—saw far too much.

“Yes, I have. I’m thinking about being a therapist, too.”

“I thought you wanted to be a cop.”

“Maybe I do. I’m fourteen. I’ve got time to decide.”

Time.That was the one thing Kit wasn’t sure that she had. Shedidwant this date with Sam and shewasscared. But time was passing and, as so many helpful people had reminded her, someone else might snap Sam up.

Because he was a good man.

Too good for me.

“Why are you out here?” Kit asked, desperate to refocus their conversation. “What’s bothering you?”

Rita studied her, her gaze cagey. “I’ll tell you if you promise to go on that date and not stand Dr.Sam up.”

Kit closed her eyes. “Why is this so important to you?”

“Because I love you,” Rita said, so softly that Kit nearly missed it.

“Shit.” Kit’s eyes burned. “No fair.”

Rita shrugged. “I calls ’em like I sees ’em.”

Which was one of Kit’s favorite phrases.Using my words against me.

“Brat.”

“Promise me,” Rita murmured.

“Fine.I promise. I will go. I will try to have fun. I just…” She trailed off, swallowing back the words.

Rita met her gaze. “You what?”

“I don’t want to hurt him,” she confessed. “I’m shit with relationships. And why am I getting dating advice from a fourteen-year-old?”

“Because I’m wise beyond my years,” Rita said dryly. “You said so yourself, just last week.”

“Brat.”

“Just…breathe, Kit. It’s what you always tell me to do.”

“You have thrown way too many of my own words back at me tonight.Fine.I promise I will go on the date. Now you spill. Why are you here?”

Rita bit her lip. “Drummond’s trial is in two weeks.”

Kit brushed a lock of hair from Rita’s forehead. “I know, honey.”

Christopher Drummond had been arrested for murdering Rita’s mother. Rita had found the body and had known her mother’s employer had killed her, but no one had listened because the man was richer than God and, in San Diego, nearly as powerful.