Page 151 of The Body in the Backyard

“What kind of knife was it?”

“Where are you going with this, Riley?” Josie asked out of the corner of her mouth.

“I don’t know. One of those surgical knives doctors use,” Griffin said.

“A scalpel?” Riley asked.

“You’re stepping on my big reveal, Thorn,” Nick warned.

“It wasn’t Ingram,” she said. “I mean, I know it looks like it should be him since he’s a drunk, and he stole his ex’s dogs, and he shoots antique rifles at his neighbors and is generally a scary human being.”

“I’ll show you scary after I’m done with Gentry…and this guy,” Ingram snarled, gesturing toward Nick.

“Talk to my girlfriend like that again, and I’ll remove your face and give you a colonoscopy with it,” Nick warned.

Riley ignored them. “Griffin, when you were on medical leave, was it from the accident at the airport, or was it because you had some kind of plastic surgery?”

“Aw, man,” Nick grumbled.

“Plastic surgery?” Griffin’s laugh was laced with anxiety. “I would never. I was born handsome. I’ll have you know I would have won Cutest Baby in Dauphin County if it weren’t for the Kraker twins.” With another nervous giggle, he backed toward the powder room door.

“Griffin,” Riley began.

“Gentry,” Nick said at the same time.

“Bye!” Griffin said and slammed the door. They all heard the snick of the lock.

“I’m going to destroy Griffin Gentry,” Ingram growled.

“Not if I get to him first,” a new voice from the back of the room announced.

“Now you can gasp, people,” Nick said as he edged his way between Riley, Josie, and the newcomer holding the gun.

34

5:31 p.m. Monday, November 4

“Dr. Dilbert, I presume,” Nick said after the gasps and screams had died down.

The man was sporting a dark tan and had distinguished gray hair swept back from his face. He was dressed in black joggers and a fitted long-sleeve shirt that accented lean muscle. He had accessorized with a Kimber Stainless LW pointed at Nick and Ingram.

It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than it being pointed at most of the other reasonably innocent people in the room, Nick thought.

“Get in line, buddy. I think I’ve earned the right to murder the world’s smallest colossal prick,” Ingram said, drawing the newcomer’s attention.

Riley eased up behind Nick. “Hey, quick question. Is this part of your plan?”

“Eh, not exactly. I think we’re just going to have to roll with it.”

“Should we start panicking?” she wondered.

“Not yet,” he assured her.

“I’m bored. Can I start throwing knives?” Josie asked.

“Maybe. Gimme a minute,” Nick said before turning his attention back to the new guy. “You look pretty good without fake facial hair.”

Riley snapped her fingers in excitement. “You’re Stick Figure Guy!”