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My brother was being polite about it, but between the lines, the message wasno way in hellwas he leaving Boston.
Ashley and Adam were talking shop with FBI acronyms and case names I was sure none of the rest of us could relate to.
I circulated, passing out appetizers. The tiny wieners with barbecue sauce and the Swedish meatballs were the biggest hits. Every time I checked the clock on the oven, another minute had passed without my oldest brother.
When I joined Ashley and Adam, their hushed conversation stopped.
“Did I interrupt something?”
Ashley leaned closer. “You didn’t tell me Adam was getting the Medal of Valor.”
Adam shook his head. “It’s not official yet.”
I remembered now that he’d mentioned something about a medal the night after the shooting. “I didn’t really know myself.” I raised an eyebrow.
“That’s a really big deal,” she said. “You should be enormously proud of him.”
I wrapped my arm around my fiancé. “I am. But he hasn’t told me much about it.”
Serena joined us. “What’s the big deal?”
“Nothing,” Adam said quickly.
Serena gave him a stern look, but Adam didn’t relent.
His phone rang, and he answered—“Yeah, Rylie, what’s up?”—as he moved to the other room to take it.
Ashley nodded toward Adam. “I mean it. They don’t give those out easily.”
Slowly, I was getting the drift. Adam had been hiding the importance of this award.
A moment later, Adam was back with a concerned look on his face. “Ashley, you and I need a moment with Lloyd.”
I tagged along as Adam pulled Daddy away from Vincent and Duke.
“What is it?” Daddy asked.
Adam didn’t open up until we reached the corner. “It’s about Debbie.”
“What? Have you located her?” Daddy asked.
“Does Josh know?” Adam asked. “We need him for this conversation.”
I looked between them. “What conversation?”
“Trust me,” Adam replied.
Daddy shook his head and waved Josh over to join us. When he arrived, Daddy put an arm on his shoulder. “I need to tell you something about your cousin Debbie.”
Josh nodded. “I already know she was spotted. Dennis told me and Serena.”
Daddy shook his head. “Can’t any of you keep a secret around here?”
“I just got a call,” Adam said. “Debbie called into the tip line. She wants to talk to Josh.”
Josh pointed at his chest. “Me?”
Adam nodded. “She’s going to call back tomorrow, and all I know is she’ll only talk to you.”
