Page 54 of Property of Bob

Anchor waited.

Fuck.

“If it’s legitimate,” I finally growled, “I’ll listen.”

Cross laughed. “Look at you. Growth.”

“Don’t push it.”

Anchor nodded. “That’s the first reasonable thing you’ve said.”

“I’ve been reasonable this whole time.”

They all laughed. Assholes.

I looked at the phone. “Skull.”

“Yeah?”

“Where’s Ramona now?”

“Still at the RV, last I knew.”

“Tell Pull and Wannabe not to leave.”

“They won’t.”

“And don’t tell her anything,” I added.

“About?”

“Any of it.”

Skull was quiet.

I continued. “The killer. Bernice. Erin. Whatever she starts asking, tell her I’ll explain it.”

Cross leaned back.

Anchor didn’t interrupt.

“That’s gonna be hard,” Skull said.

“Why?”

“Because she’s already asking questions.”

“Then tell her to wait.”

Skull laughed. “Have you met her?”

I stared at the phone. “Yeah. I have.”

“Then you know how that’s gonna go.”

I did. Ramona had never liked being told to wait. Or no. Or mind her business. Apparently, that hadn’t changed.

“Keep her busy.”