Free Forgive and Forget: (A Geeks and Things Cozy Mystery Novella #2) (Geeks and Things Cozy Mysteries) by Sarah Biglow Page B

water buffeted her all the way to her car. She practically dove into the driver seat; the cake container almost landed sideways on the passenger seat. She let out a breath—air condensing in front of her—and started the engine. She set the wipers on high and waited for the heat to kick in before she pulled out of the driveway and turned left down her street.
    Her phone began to ring loudly halfway to Jillian’s house. “Great.”
    Her mood already on edge, she pulled over to the side of the road and yanked the phone free. Chris’s number flashed on the Caller ID. She hit ‘Accept’ and put the phone on speaker so she could keep driving. “Hey.” She did her best to keep her tone neutral.
    “I am so sorry, Kal.”
    “You can meet me there. That’s fine.”
    “I don’t think I can make it.”
    “You promised.” It came out as more of a whine than she’d intended.
    “I know. I wish I could be there, believe me. But I got called out to the beach for a case. I swear I will find a way to make it up to you.”
    She took several breaths before she responded. “Fine. I get it. You have to work. You can’t choose when dead bodies turn up.”
    “Please don’t be mad at me. I told the guys I was off today but Jimmy called last minute and said he needed my help on this one.”
    Kalina’s anger softened a touch at the young officer’s name. He was a good kid but eager to impress. She also wasn’t above gently grilling him for information when she needed something. But that hadn’t happened in months. She was trying to stay out of police matters. She was a comic book shop owner, after all. “Okay. I’ll pass on your regrets to everyone.”
    “Thanks. I love you.”
    She smiled. “I love you too.”
    Easing to a stop at a crosswalk, she hit ‘End’ and set her phone aside. Her sister’s house loomed up ahead on the side of town farthest from the beach. Jillian had insisted on staying local but when AJ had come along she’d wanted a yard too. Somehow, Kalina’s older sister got exactly what she wanted. She was lucky that way. Even getting pregnant right out of college, Jillian managed to make it all work.
    Through the downpour she spotted her mom’s car in the driveway. She pulled up beside it and braced herself for the short trek to the front door. Pulling the hood of her coat up over her face, she grabbed the cake container and darted from the car. Thirty seconds later, she was safely inside the front hall being greeted by her nephew, AJ.
    “It’s really coming down out there,” he said and took the container so she could peel her soaked jacket from her shoulders.
    “It’s insane. I wouldn’t be surprised if it turned to snow later tonight.” She leaned against the door to kick off her rain boots and put on her flats.
    AJ lifted the lid of the container and took a sniff. “Where’s Chris?”
    “Working. He got called away on an urgent case.”
    “Lame.”
    “Behave yourself,” she chided and quickly finger-combed her hair so she looked presentable before her sister appeared.
    “AJ, put that in the kitchen,” Jillian ordered. She stood a good four inches taller than Kalina and she’d inherited their mother’s wavy curls and light brown hair.
    No one would have ever accused them of being siblings, and yet they’d shared a bedroom until Jillian had gone off to college. They weren’t especially close these days but Jillian seemed pleased that Kalina was keeping AJ out of trouble.
    “Sorry I’m late … and dateless,” Kalina muttered.
    “It’s a hell of a storm out there. I’m just glad you made it over safely.” Jillian’s facial features softened and she pulled her sister into an impromptu hug.
    “How many glasses of wine have you had?” Kalina whispered.
    “Shut up.” Jillian pulled away but smiled. “Do you want red or white?”
    “Whatever’s open,” Kalina said with a dismissive wave.
    “Red it is.”
    Kalina followed her sister into the kitchen. Her brother-in-law,