Page 161 of The Body in the Backyard

“Yeah. Penny, meet our new partner,” Nick said, gesturing toward Riley.

Mrs. Penny gave a brisk nod and took a slurp of her drink. “’Bout time you brought on someone responsible.”

“First order of business. We’re not getting $50,000 from Gentry.”

Mrs. Penny took another deliberate sip, then sprayed a fine mist of liquor into Nick’s face. “What? Why? You didn’t have enough time to gamble it away yet.”

He used the hem of his T-shirt to mop his face. “I didn’t gamble it away. I shared it. Or I plan to if my partners are open to it. I figured we weren’t the only ones inconvenienced by his existence. So Peabody the jeweler, Tyra and Betty, and Chupacabra’s cousin are all getting a piece of the action. And maybe, if I’m feeling generous, I’ll buy a wire that actually works and donate it to the police department.”

“That’s very sweet of you,” Riley said. The man was definitely getting laid tonight.

Mrs. Penny rolled her eyes. “All right. Fine. But don’t make it a habit of thinking with your squishy feelings. We’re running a business here, not a charity foundation.”

“Agreed,” Nick said.

“It almost makes me not want to give you your engagement present,” she grumbled.

“Another present? I like this engagement thing,” Riley said.

Mrs. Penny reached behind her and produced a remote control from her pants. “Here,” she said, handing it to Nick.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a remote, dummy. It’s for the new TV I had installed in your room. I also cornered that tall lesbian suspect who works for the contractor. She’s sending a crew out tomorrow to give us a quote on the roof next door. They only employ women, so Lily won’t be as aggressive with her sexual harassment.”

Nick launched himself at the elderly woman and wrapped her in a bear hug. “I’m sorry for every mean thing I’ve ever said about you.”

Mrs. Penny reluctantly patted him on the back. “No, you’re not.”

“I’m really not. But this is nice,” he whispered into her purple hair.

“You’re weirding me out, and I need another drink.” Mrs. Penny gave Riley a high five and left them alone.

Riley glanced at the remote in Nick’s hand. “You’re going to?—”

“Sanitize this? Absolutely.” He drew her in.

She looped her arms around his neck. “Good. Maybe we should go upstairs and?—”

The doorbell rang again.

On several four-letter words, Nick yanked it open. “I thought I told you two to?—”

But it wasn’t Weber and Jasmine. It was Bella Goodshine and her dog, dressed in coordinating sweats. Burt bounded over and eagerly sniffed his canine friend.

“If you’ve come to beg for your boyfriend’s money back, no givesies backsies,” Nick warned.

“Actually, I got you two an engagement present,” Bella said, handing over a small envelope.

“How did you know we were getting engaged?” Riley asked.

Bella let out a silvery peal of laughter that Riley found charming despite her best efforts. “I’ve been proposed to eight times. Believe me, I know when a man is thinking about popping the question.”

“Well, uh, thank you,” Riley said awkwardly.

“Don’t be silly, Riley. It’s the least I can do for encouraging your husband to cheat on you with me!”

Nick leaned in. “I say this with absolute sincerity. You and Griffin are perfect together.”