Ghosts of Christmas Past by Corrina Lawson Page B

about the warehouse being secure?”
    Cassandra was wavering, despite her anger. “Yes. Definitely.”
    â€œI sure hope so.” Cassandra pulled onto the highway leading to the other side of town at a high speed.
    And I thought Al was a crazy driver.
    Especially since they were trying to avoid the police. But at least Cassandra remembered how to get back to the warehouse without asking for repeat directions. The minute they were inside, as the sliding door slammed shut behind them, Cassandra verbally pounced on Salvatore.
    â€œYou freaked me out!” Cassandra slammed the car door. “Why didn’t you call?”
    Salvatore got out of the back and slammed his own door. “You have no idea what I was dealing with.”
    â€œThat’s because you didn’t bother to dial a friggin’ phone!”
    Now Lucy had a headache too. That was probably left over from the grenade, but she didn’t need this adding to it. She left them arguing. Their raised voices faded as she entered the living area and went straight to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee.
    She winced at the sound of a high-pitched “Screw you.” How long was this going to go on? This was as bad as one of her parents’ fights.
    Cassandra stomped into the living area, Salvatore hard on her heels, and they kept going. After ten minutes of yelling then silent seething, Lucy had had enough.
    â€œWe’ve still got a problem to solve.” She stepped between them and held Salvatore’s thumb drive out. “What’s on this that’s so important?”
    That shocked them into silence.
    After a few seconds, Salvatore put out his hand. “Where did you get it? And you need to give it back.”
    â€œUh-uh.” She put it in her pocket. “You tell me what’s on it first.”
    â€œIt’s complicated.”
    â€œUse small words, then, so I can understand,” she said, losing patience. Did Salvatore realize he was a murder suspect?
    â€œIt’s accounting stuff.”
    â€œYeah, well, the goons at city hall were willing to grab Cassandra to get to you and this.”
    He turned around to look at Cassandra. “What? Grab you? What’s she talking about, babe?”
    â€œOh, so now you’re worried about me.” Cassandra flopped on the couch.
    Now, Mom and Dad, stop fighting. Lucy sighed. Would she and Al fight like that someday?
    No, she and Al just tiptoed very politely around their issues.
    Salvatore sat down next to Cassandra, but both crossed their arms over their chests and stared in opposite directions. Lucy waited until the coffee finished brewing and brought each of them a mug. They both said “thank you”, an improvement over yelling.
    Salvatore drank his coffee, seeming to regain calm with each sip. “So the cop who stopped SWAT is your guy?”
    â€œObviously.”
    Cassandra snorted. “You two needed to get a room back there.”
    â€œHow’d you guys meet?” Salvatore asked.
    Lucy shrugged. She had explained to Cassandra about Al. She had no reason to explain to this guy. “Mutual interests.”
    â€œWhatever they are, I owe both of you. Thank you,” Salvatore said.
    â€œYou’re welcome.” Silence for a bit. Lucy took a deep breath. “So what’s on the thumb drive? Why did you go to Rickey’s? Why get so drunk? And why didn’t you call Cassandra?” She didn’t ask him how he might be involved in murder. Better to start small.
    â€œYeah, enlighten us. I can’t wait to hear this.” Cassandra sat forward and looked over the rim of her mug.
    â€œI didn’t call you because I was drunk off my ass and then passed out,” Salvatore said.
    â€œOh, like that’s an excuse,” Cassandra said.
    Salvatore set his empty coffee mug down on the table. “I was an idiot, Cassandra. I’m sorry.”
    â€œYou should be.” But her voice was soft and Lucy