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“And remember that fudge cake we tried—”
“Jeremiah.”
“Doctors say it’s good after you get stabbed. For, um, antioxidants.”
“You did not get stabbed—”
It wasn’t even fair, not really. Auggie almost felt bad for Tean. All Jem did was wince, like he’d felt a twinge of pain, and Tean’s breathing changed, accelerated. And then he said, “You jerk.”
“It’s nothing, really, just a maniac with a sickle tried to gut me—”
“Fine.” Tean kissed the top of Jem’s head. “And tomorrow, why don’t I back a cement truck full of gravy up to the house?”
“Actually, Emery was telling me about this place, Big Biscuit—”
Auggie couldn’t help the smile growing on his face.
“Please don’t let him cook any bacon,” Tean said to him as he headed toward the front of the house. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Auggie spared Jem a look, and Jem grinned back.
“I honestly don’t know how you do it.”
“He’s the kindest human being in the world.” Jem shrugged. “So, it’s easy. What’ve you got there?”
Auggie scooted over and angled his phone so Jem could see it. “Videos from Shaniyah.”
The steps to the basement creaked, and a moment later, Theo appeared. Lana came behind him a moment later; she could do stairs like a champ now, even with the brace.
“Where’s Evie?” she asked.
“In her room,” Jem said. “Hold on, hold on. Give me five.”
Lana held up her hand for a high five, and Jem slapped palms lightly and then said, “I meant five tickles,” and Lana squealed with laughter and ran away before he could grab her.
“Shaniyah?” Theo asked, glancing at the phone.
“Uh, yeah,” Auggie said. He worked his thumb along the side of the phone’s case.
Theo nodded and moved over to the coffeemaker.
“I was thinking,” Auggie said. “You know, after last night.”
“Someone is still out there. Still trying to tie up loose ends. And it’s not Dalton.” Theo’s words were clinical as he poured coffee into a mug. “I agree.”
When he put the carafe back on the warming plate, it clicked a little too loudly.
“When we went to the Cottonmouth Club,” Jem said slowly, “the night someone shot and killed DeVoy—I’ve been thinking about it. I think it was the same guy who was at your house last night.”
Theo breathed out, hard, and said abruptly, “In case it matters, I checked the security cameras at our house. I sent everything to John-Henry.”
“Oh my God, I didn’t even think—” Auggie began.
“You can’t see anything useful; just somebody in black breaking into the house.” Auggie opened his mouth again, but Theo said over him, “Can’t even tell if it’s the same person who broke in earlier.” Then he stalked off toward the living room and the sounds of the girls’ laughter.
Jem let out a breath and raised his eyebrows.
Auggie shook his head, fighting the urge to comment. Finally he said, “Why didn’t he bring a gun? Why not just shoot us last night?
