Page 159 of The Body in the Backyard

“Easy,” Nick said. “We knew the shooters had worked in Colombia prior to this job since they were being extradited back to face murder charges. And when I went through Griffin’s shit to steal back the cuff links?—”

“I should not be listening to this,” Weber complained.

“I found his passport with a stamp from Colombia. That trip lined up with Chupacabra’s cousin’s accident at the airport and Griffin’s suspicious medical leave. And why does the little shrimp leave the country?”

“To get cheaper cosmetic surgery,” Riley said, shooting her handsome fiancé an approving look. He was going to get so lucky later.

“Okay. But how did you figure out it was Dr. Dil…er, Dilbert? Colombia has to have thousands of plastic surgeons,” Brian pressed.

Nick smirked over his glass. “But only one that offers calf and hamstring extension surgery. Everyone kept saying the little troll looked taller. I connected the dots. And every cop in the tristate area followed the story of Dilbert’s disappearance, so I recognized his headshot when I saw his website.”

“I seriously can’t believe that’s a surgery you can get,” Josie said.

“Oh, it is,” Nick assured her. “And for the bargain price of $250,000, a shithead like Griffin Gentry can gain up to an inch in height.”

“A quarter of a million? For aninch?” Weber repeated.

Mrs. Penny shook her head. “And not even on the penis. What a waste.”

“How did you know the doctor would show up to finish the job himself?” Riley asked.

“I figured if we used Gentry as bait, we’d either catch another hit man who might talk or we’d get the big boss himself. Unfortunately, the cops were supposed to nab him in the yard before he started shooting the place up.”

“Definitely my bad,” Weber said, putting a hand over his heart. “We don’t have the budget for wires that work one hundred percent of the time.”

“Look at us. A coupla diabolical geniuses.” Mrs. Penny gestured with her glass and sloshed liquor all over herself and the table.

“And Thorn almost stepped on my big reveal with her perfectly timed vision.” Nick pressed a kiss to her temple.

Riley grimaced. “I thought I was saving you from embarrassing yourself and blaming Theodoric.”

“I was trying to get a rise out of Ingram so the cops would have a reason to search him.”

“Why?” Josie asked.

“A few years back, he was quietly arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and isn’t allowed to own or carry any firearms,” Nick said.

“Such a shame when the Harrisburg PD finds a weapon in an ankle holster on such an upstanding member of the community.” Weber sounded not at all sorry. “We had to send a squad car to his house and confiscate every weapon he had.”

“That is sarcasm,” Gabe announced, pleased with himself.

“You’re damn right it is, buddy,” Nick said.

“So when are you two getting married?” Lily asked Riley. “And how many times do you plan to have sex on the honeymoon?”

“On that note, I’m leaving,” Weber said, throwing his napkin on the table.

The doorbell rang, and Nick dropped his napkin on the table. “Let’s go, Thorn.”

“Me? I don’t think I can handle another surprise.”

“How many surprises didn’t you like today?” he asked, drawing her to her feet and pulling her out of the room.

“Just the one with the murdery surgeon pointing a gun at the guy I’m going to marry,” Riley admitted.

“This is better than a murdery surgeon,” Nick promised as he led her to the foyer.

He threw open the door, and Riley’s best friend barreled inside.