Page 25 (2/2)

"No, Tess" Vivvie forced a s of her lips hit ut "I just told you that I think someone paid my father to kill a Supreme Court justice I asked you not to tell anyone about it until we have proof So, yeah, I kind of do have to do this" She started walking back toward her house again This ti like I’d fallen into some kind of parallel universe

"Funny story"

I turned to see Asher Rhodes rounding the corner

"Vivvie’s voice carries," he said "And I have freakishly good hearing"

CHAPTER 23

Asher and I stared at each other for several seconds He heard I rackedto remember what, exactly, Vivvie had said in the last thirty seconds of our conversation

I just told you that I think someone paid my father to kill a Supreme Court justice

"Henry’s my best friend" Asher’s tone was conversational, but quieter than norly advisedoff my roof" There was a beat of silence "He was also the one who taught ht arm When ere nine, I inadvertently-possibly-on-purpose insulted a sixth grader The kid would have pounded ed hihts and honor and standing up for best friends ere too stupid to watch out for themselves" Asher shook his head, his voice still quiet, intense "I can still reht atand found an ite brother"

The i-brother to-do list was all too easy to picture

"He’s beenas I can remember, Tess When his dad died" Asher shook his head and didn’t finish that thought "Henry and his grandfather were close Theo was the closest thing to a father Henry had left"

My stomach twisted sharply It was too easy to put ine hoould feel if I woke up to what it would be like to know that randfather’s death hadn’t been an accident

I would have been out for blood

"You can’t tell Henry what you just heard," I told Asher

Asher gave me a look "I knew you were a little crazy, Tess It’s there, in the eyes" He gestured in the general vicinity of my face "But I, too, have been in possession of the Crazy Eyes on occasion I get it If you want to go head-to-head with John Thouys’ bathroom, or skip out in thefor the ride"

But you won’t keep this from your best friend, I filled in

"How do you think Henry will respond to this news?" I asked Asher’s expression darkened "My guess would be not well," I continued "And right now, even if he knew, there wouldn’t be anything he could do about it He could try going to the police But if Vivvie gets spooked, if she recants"

All we had was Vivvie’s word

"We’re talking about the president’s physician, Asher" I wasn’t sure what kind of background checks working at the White House involved, but if the Powers That Be illing to put the president’s life in Vivvie’s father’s hands, he obviously wasn’t considered a security risk Or a threat

"Darn you and your infernal logic" Asher ran both hands through his hair, hts "Fine," he capitulated "But I want in Whatever you’re planning to do about this, whatever Vivvie’s doing, I want in"