I didn’t know what to say, so I just shook my head. I had assumed that her son had taken it all. It hadn’t even occurred to me that there was money kept from him.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
She waved away my apology. “Here’s the deal. There’s no reason for you to be paying my rent. I came to Slippery Slopes because I wanted to teach until I could ultimately retire here with the supposed healing waters and all that. I’m a little bit of awoo-woo in that way. You’ll see when you read my will in thirty years.”
I huffed out a laugh. I could only hope we had that much time.
“Though honestly, if Ned Fled is any indication, I may not be exaggerating that number,” she said. The oldest man in town was a modern miracle. “But the point is, I have money. And this isn’t your burden anymore. It never was. I appreciate you looking out for me, but you’re getting that money back. Trust me.”
I tried to argue, but she wasn’t having it.
I let the truth settle into me as she explained how much I’d be getting back.
“You really screwed the pooch. That girl is sitting in jail, and you’re here. I thought I raised you better than that.”
Despite her scolding tone, her words sent a frisson of pleasure into my heart. Shehadraised me, hadn’t she? I had parents who I had lived with, but this was the woman I shaped my values after, who took care to nurture me.
“You did raise me,” I said, throat wobbling. “And I’m so thankful.” I held her gaze and poured my earnestness into it.
This time, she didn’t make a joke. She held my gaze with her own watery eyes and gave me a tight-lipped smile. “It was my honor to.” She wiped at her face, annoyed at the emotional display. “I hope you see now that I’m not just a lonely old woman. That other people will see you for who you really are if you let them.”
I nodded and let out a breath, anxious to get to Bee.
“I hope you have plans to make it up to her,” she said.
“I have money to go bail her out,” I said, half out the door.
“I know you’re not about to spend the money I’m giving you back on somebody else already. Better plans than that, mister. Money is an easy, empty gesture when it’s given out of guilt.”
I opened my mouth and closed it, a fresh thought popping up.
“Actually, there is one more thing you might be able to help with.”
I explained what I needed quickly so that I could get to Bee. I could only imagine how terrified she was.
Chapter 23
Bee
I didn’t supporta life of crime, but jail was pretty cool. I wasn’t a whole new person, but I was edgier now. I might shank somebody. That guy in the corner was giving me funny looks. Oh, wait, that was a recruitment poster.
Never mind.
I understood why so many manifestos were written from jail—loads of thinking time. Not that I was a martyr of caliber like so many, but I had earned some sympathy, no doubt.
“How long has it been?” I asked, voice cracked from dehydration and arms sticking out through the bars of my holding cell. I just needed a metal cup to bang across them.
Was that why it was called a clinker? I bet Owen would know. Sweet Owen. How long until I might see him again?
Officer Martinez sighed loudly. “About two hours, Bee. Five more minutes than when you asked me last time.”
“Feels so much longer,” I said wistfully.
“Probably because you’ve talked the whole time. You should probably stop. Conserve your voice.”
“So. Thirsty.” I smacked dry lips.
“Then get some water. The cooler is over there. You aren’t even under arrest. That door isn’t even locked.”
