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“Wait. There aren’t locks on your building?”
“No. Why would there be?”
Garrett looks right, then left. “This isn’t the best neighborhood.”
“It’s not terrible.” Sure, I hear sirens a lot and the pop-pop-pop of gunfire every now and then, but on the whole, it’s not bad. “Night, Garrett.”
He’s frowning, which sort of endears him to me even more. He’s concerned about my safety. That means more to me than I can say. “Good night, Lucy.” As I push through the doorway, he adds, “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Great. Night.” And the door shuts behind me, leaving right outside the door a man that gives me chills. In a good way.
Chapter Six
At precisely 8:00 the next morning, my phone rings. Since I’m still half asleep, I groggily answer, “Hello?”
“What’s up, jailbird?”
“Hey, Molls.”
“Got your stuff all loaded up into the van. That Paul asshole says he’s going to tell everyone what happened so you—” She clears her throat. “Never work in this town again.”
Crud. I didn’t think about that. How could I not consider what all that last night would do to my business? Instead of thinking about that, I was only thinking of myself. Crud-crud-crud. People count on me. People like Molly and Ann and-and several more. Granted, it’s not full-time work for any of them, not yet, but it’s still a job. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
I feel my nose start to tickle. The sure sign that either I’m coming down with a cold or I’m going to cry. “I’m sorry, Molly.” Sniffle.
It’s the second one. I’m going to cry.
“Oh, hey—” Molly’s voice suddenly gets soft. “No. I didn’t tell you that to upset you. Paul’s a dick with no clout in the city of Chicago.”
“No, but I bet the Konigs have clout.”
“Everything is going to be fine. My dad says it rightfully belongs to you. Maybe, when this is all over, you could go on Good Morning Chicago and tell your story. Then, jobs will start pouring in.”
She has a point, except. “The odds are against me on this, Molls.”
“Since when are you the negative one? That’s my job. Hell, I just told you how to work around all of this and you’re still sounding like someone stole your puppy.”
“I’ve never had a dog.” I wanted one, but Grandpa was allergic, but that’s neither here nor there.
But, if I ever do get a dog, I want one from the rescue.
“You’re taking my words too literally. Did you get any sleep? What time did you finally get home, and did you snag a date with that smokin’ hot cop?”
“No.” I snort into the phone. “He was good-looking, though.”
“Way better than pretty boy last night.”
“Agree.” I sigh because I’m tired and I’m dreading telling Molly about meeting my mom. Knowing her, she’ll get on her scooter and ride halfway across town in the cold to punch Lily Locket in the throat. And do you want to know something? I probably wouldn’t even try to stop her. But it must be done. “I met my mom last night.”
“What?” she squeaks. “Where?”
“She works at the Mighty Mart a half block from my apartment building.”
Molly gasps. “No. Fucking. Way.”
“Yes.”
“How did you find her?”
