Nina shrugs and sighs. “Is it terrible if I admit I’m just glad he’s gone for a few days?”
“I can make him gone permanently. I know people,” Lanie whispers, as if the walls will talk.
The wrinkles around Nina’s eyes and lining her forehead all move back into place, and her delicate features soften. “That’s a convo for another day.”
“Tomorrow perhaps?” Lanie singsongs and I chuckle.
“I don’t even know what to do with you two.” Nina shakes her head, concentrating on the dough ball in front of her.
“And you don’t need to, because the last person we’re involving is Richard,” Lanie bites out.
“She’s right. I’m going to talk to Nick.” I stand from the chair, and I’m met with wide eyes.
“No!” Nina and Lanie yell at the same time.
“Please sit,” Nina begs.
My lips slam together as I place my butt back in my seat.
“I thought that’s what everyone thinks I should do,” I say, looking around in utter confusion.
Nina’s panic abates and she offers a small smile. “Yes. You should... but not like this.” She gestures toward me.
“What?”
“You look like something that crawled out of a well, and she doesn’t want you embarrassing yourself.” Lanie doesn’t even try to sugarcoat it and I guess I’m grateful.
“You want him to take you seriously, right?”
I bob my head. “Obviously.”
“You’re going to him about information you’ve received from ghosts. How do you think he’s going to receive that?”
“He isn’t. I’d never admit that part.”
“Right, but he witnessed the events at Gloria’s. He’s likely already super suspicious about your motives.”
She isn’t wrong. I’ve been shocked to not find Nick on my doorstep inquiring about what went down at Mrs.Craft’s. Especially considering the way Mrs.Craft spoke to the air and stumbled across a shoebox with a note and money that she hadn’t known about before.
“Add to that your disheveled appearance, and he really won’t take you seriously,” Lanie finishes.
Nina groans but doesn’t even bother to fight with her. “Even more important, you need to figure out what and how you’re going to break this news to him. You have to get him on board, so what you say is crucial.” Nina’s gaze is fixed on me, and I have a hard time not shrinking under the weight of it.
I take a deep breath, thinking about all that’s been said. “What do you suggest?”
Nina and Lanie consider this question for several moments. It’s Nina who finally offers an idea.
“I’d suggest you tell him you have a tip about several accidents being connected. He’ll ask who your tip is from, and you’ll maintain that your source has to remain anonymous.”
“He won’t like that, but he’ll agree in order to get the information,” Lanie adds.
Nina nods in agreement. “Explain that you and Billy were run off the road by a red truck.”
“I can’t prove that, though.”
“True.” Nina taps her chin. “Can Billy offer anything more than it was a red truck?”
“You mean I have to talk to him?”
