Page 88 of Booked for Theft

My mother glowered at the pile of takeout menus. “I vote we get barbecue. I’m going to need some bones to gnaw on, it seems.”

“Barbecue it is.” I tossed a pad of paper and a pen to Meridian. “Target Bradley’s wallet without remorse, for we are going to make you quite uncomfortable for the rest of the day.”

“I can keep secrets when it’s truly important, and I respect that you know I only keep them when it’s truly important,” she replied with a smile. “And as I don’t keep unimportant secrets, when I do keep a secret, nobody suspects I have them at all.”

“That is clever, and I appreciate that tactic,” I replied with a grin. “I’m still going to dodge giving you non-critical secrets, though.”

“That is because you’re smart.” She went to work writing down her order before passing the paper to Beatrice. “For what it’s worth, you’d make an excellent President of the United States. You’re smart, you care, and you understand people and their needs.”

“That’s what gave me the idea to enroll her as an official candidate,” Bradley’s mother admitted. “And I had the correct paperwork in hand to legally do it. I did it, and now I have some regrets I did it, I won’t lie.”

“You made the right decision. Meridian, Beatrice and Mickey are already involved, and Mr. Tawnlen is aware we’re up to no good, but you’re going to be brought up to speed. For better or worse, we all need to be fully together in this. If you want to walk, please do. From here on out, what we’re doing is going to be a great deal more dangerous. Just let me know if you want out.”

My boss engaged me in a staring contest, raising a brow. “When aren’t you up to no good?”

“When I’m napping and eating spicy food, probably.” I shrugged. “But at least I’m up to no good for the sake of everybody, right?”

“I suppose, but we’re going to have to have a talk about how much trouble you’re managing to stir up, Janette.”

The pad of paper with the lunch order continued to make its way around the table. I waited until it reached Bradley to sigh. “I’m going to need extra cornbread today.”

“I’ll make sure your needs are met. I’ll go call and place the order. After, we’ll get to serious work.”

“You best buckle up,” I warned my family and friends. “It’s going to be a wild ride.”