“It had to be done, mami,” he said, all seriousness. “You have a lot of…” He waved his hand around in the air. “Scary friends.”
“And you’ll have a lot of play on Spark after this,” I said.
Mateo laughed. “Indeed. Indeed. HotSpidey has already got many messages.”
“That’s what happens when you give your handle out on national television.” He’d shouted it out right before he’d tugged on his Spider-Man cowl and flexed his biceps for the camera. He gave me a peck on the cheek and grabbed his bag.
“¡Muchas gracias!” he called out to Mom and Olivia, and then he headed out the front door.
“He’s got a cute butt,” Mom said.
“Dad is upstairs and can probably hear you,” I pointed out.
“Well, he’s got a cute butt, too, so he’s got nothing to worry about,” Mom snapped back.
My phone rang. I glanced at it. Jeremy. From Crime Radio.
“Jeremy?” I answered, anticipating he’d just tell me it was an accidental butt dial. He’d made it clear the last time we spoke that I’d never work in podcasting again.
“Ella? Oh, thank God. Do you have a minute?”
“Maybe. Why?”
“First of all, are you okay?” Jeremy asked, sounding more concerned than I would’ve given him credit for. “We saw everything on the news.”
“I got shot, but I’ll live,” I said, examining the extra-thick white bandages around my thigh. I’d be wearing shorts until Thanksgiving.
“That’s good. Good. Good.” I had a hard time believing that Jeremy really cared if I lived or died. When he’d made me turn in my building badge, he told me that I’d be better off changing my name if I wanted to work in broadcasting ever again. He told me I should consider something that didn’t require me to identify myself. Like AM radio jingles.
“So, I’ve got Bette here,” he said.
“Oh?” This should be good.
“We want you to come back. ToCrime Hive.”
I snorted. “What about the host you hired to replace me?”
“Never mind him. We’re serious, Ella. You fought the Canceled Killer! You got him arrested. Maybe you could even get an interview with him.”
“I don’t ever want to talk to him again,” I said. As far as I’m concerned, the man should rot in prison.
“We can pay you,” Bette said over the phone.
“You were barely paying me before.” I had to share an efficiency with two roommates, even after we hit it big.
“We’ll double your salary,” Bette said.
Well, now that was interesting.
“I don’t know,” I said. Did I want to give in to Crime Radio? The people who’d abandoned me when I needed them most?
A knock came on the front door, and I saw Tammy’s orange puffer vest through the window next to it.
“I’ve got to go. Let me think on it and call you.”
“Don’t take too long—” Jeremy said, but I’d already hung up. I slid off the stool and winced as my foot hit the ground and a burning pain shot through my thigh.
“Ella! You’re supposed to be resting,” Mom scolded. “Stay put!”
