Page 97 of Dead Man's List

Once again, her parents stopped what they were doing and stared at her.

Kit frowned. “What? I can be a grown-up, too.”

Harlan went back to his task, a smile on his face. “We know. We raised you right.”

“You did. Now let me eat. I’m starving.” She pointed at Harlan’s block of wood. “Whatcha making?”

“I don’t know. I think something for Sam. Or Georgia or Eloise.”

“Do one for the ladies first. They’ll get cranky otherwise.”

“Eloise never gets cranky.” Betsy sighed. “And now we know why.”

Kit laughed. “Pot brownies.” The old woman was famous for them at the Shady Oaks Retirement Village. “She’s very generous with her baking.”

“Rita got her to share the recipe,” Betsy said sourly.

“Rita’s not gonna make pot brownies,” Kit said with certainty. “She’s just trying to keep you on your toes. Besides, I’ll tell her to not even think about it.”

“Thank you,” Betsy said fervently. “This old woman’s going to bed now. Can you put your plate in the dishwasher, Kit?”

“Of course. Thanks, Mom. Sleep well.”

The words made her cheeks heat. Sam had said those same words. They were warm and lovely.

Harlan remained, quietly whittling as she finished her dinner. “Why are you really here, Kitty-Cat?” he asked when she’d all but licked her plate. “I want you to always come when you need to or want to. But is there anything bothering you?”

“This case,” Kit confessed. “For a while we had too many leads, but our last one dried up tonight.” She mimed slitting her throat.

Harlan grimaced. “That sucks.”

“Especially for the victim,” she said dryly. “And several of our suspects are being represented by Laura Letterman.”

Harlan’s shaggy gray brows shot up. “Sam’s ex?”

“Yep. She doesn’t like me.”

“Well, that’s not a surprise, Kit. You have the good man she threw away.”

“I don’thavehim. I’m more just…I don’t know.”

“Dipping your toe in. I know. So does he.”

Kit had been picking up her plate to put in the dishwasher, but she set it down. “How do you know that?”

“I asked him. He told me. It’s called communication, Kitty-Cat.”

She wanted to be irritated, but it was Harlan, so she only huffed. “You’ve been talking about me?”

“Only a little. Just making sure he knows to be patient. I don’t want him to break your heart.”

“Somehow I can’t see Sam breaking anyone’s heart,” Kit said honestly. “If anything, I’ll break his.”

“Your heart is more fragile than you want to admit. I’m your father. I get to give Sam the speech.”

Kit had to smile at him then. “I’m so glad you’re my father.”

Harlan dipped his head shyly. “Go take care of your dishes, then sit down and tell me about this case. You know I’m a vault.”