Page 153 of Thick as Thieves

He gave her a moment, then said, “Well, before you start giving away your fortune, don’t forget that you owe me a hundred bucks.”

“Eighty-five.”

“How’s that?”

“I’m knocking off fifteen for the house key you entitled yourself to.” They smiled at each other, then she said, “Enough about me. Have you been to see your uncle?”

“Yesterday for about an hour. I took him a pint of Blue Bell, which he didn’t share. He’s greedy with his ice cream.”

“What about the staffer who raised the bogus alarm?”

“George sniffed her out in no time. She was young, green. Rusty had flirted with her the morning he was there, and had made an impression, so when he called and asked her to help him pull a prank—”

“A prank?”

“Well, she didn’t know any better and meant no harm. She learned a lesson, though. George is pushing for the center to adopt a stricter security policy.”

“I trust George will get it done.”

“Oh, you can count on it.”

She hesitated.

“What?”

“I wish I could have known your uncle Henry, before.”

“So do I. You would’ve liked him. Everybody did. I miss him.”

His expression was wistful and sad, and it broke her heart for him. Looking away, she stretched her neck and shoulders. She was so very tired. “Are Crystal and Marty back yet? Do they know that Rusty is over and out?”

“They do. They’re celebrating in New Orleans.”

“Is New Orleans braced for Marty?”

“I doubt it. She got a piercing.”

“On what?”

“I was afraid to ask.”

Arden smiled, then asked quietly, “Did you tell them about Lisa?”

“Yes.”

“Everything?”

“Yes. I figured you would rather me tell them than for them to hear a distorted version through the grapevine.”

“Yes, I would. Thank you.”

“They sent their condolences.”

Nodding, her gaze went back to the flickering candles on the mantel. They reminded her of a church altar, which prompted her to say, “Maybe I should have had a clergyman there today. Under the circumstances, it didn’t seem appropriate.”

“I don’t believe there are any rules about what’s appropriate in a situation like yours. Even if there are, it was your decision to make.”

“There were just the three of us. The funeral director, Helena, and me. For the homecoming queen.”