“What are the charges?”
“Breaking and entering,” Crews said.
“Is it really breaking and entering when the owner asked you to stop by and gave you the key and security code? I think not. I’m sure a phone call to Dr. Rosalind Crews will clear all this up.”
“She’s helping your mother, and you arrested her?” Tucker asked with a raised brow.
“Make the call, Detective. All this drama is cutting into my beauty sleep,” Freddy growled.
“Aw, you look marvelous, Uncle Freddy. The graying hair really complements that scowl.”
Freddy, no matter that he looked like a retired aging Santa, was easy to aggravate. Ryley had spent a decade figuring out which buttons to push. She grinned. He was almost like family. The only man besides her brother who would come running when she was in a jam; the main difference was one was paid to do it and the other had no choice thanks to his DNA.
Detective Crews reached across the desk and uncuffed her remaining wrist.
“That’s going to leave a mark.” She rose and grabbed her purse as the others walked out. She stopped in front of him. “Quit being an asshole. Your mother has no reason to lie. I understand your need to protect her, but did you ever think that this is one time where I can protect her from the things that go bump in the night a little better than you?”
“I don’t believe in ghosts,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Probably a good thing, or you’d be bumping heads with Marshall Boswell. He was just here a few minutes ago to interrogate me.” Ryley smiled.
“Who the hell is that?” Crews asked.
She shrugged. “An old-timer from another era is my guess.” She patted his chest. “But don’t worry. I didn’t tell him anything either. Do me a favor and stay out of my way while I get rid of the ghost stalking your mom. Then you can go back and enjoy your cozy little world of cops and robbers without the worry of the unseen threat.”
Ryley walked out without a backward glance and joined her brother and Freddy, who were waiting outside the precinct doors.
“It’s always a pleasure,” Freddy said, patting her arm as he passed.
“No need to lie, Freddy. It’s unbecoming,” she called out to his retreating back.
He lifted his middle finger without even bothering to turn around.
“Care to explain?” Tucker asked, resting his arm over her shoulders and leading her to his car across the street.
“Dr. Crews is being stalked by a ghost and asked for my help.”
Her brother nodded and dropped his hold on her and hit the fob on his keyring, making the car chirp as it unlocked. “And did you break in?”
She rounded the car to the passenger side. “Not this time. Listen, I need a lift back to Dr. Crews’s house.”
Tucker tossed his briefcase in the backseat. “Don’t you think you’ve caused enough trouble for one night?”
She grinned. “I need to get my car, so I can go break into her office now.”
Chapter 10
Okay, so she didn’t break into Dr. Crews's office. Not yet. She went home and got a few hours’ sleep before dressing and grabbing some coffee and heading out the door again. She texted Bane to meet her for breakfast to discuss his case.
She glanced in the rear-view mirror and spotted a car following her. She turned. He turned. This wasn’t good. Worry crawled through her. Who the heck was it? Her dad? Maybe. And that made her question whether she should head back to the police station. Instead, deciding the relative safety of the diner was closer, she sped up. The car stayed behind her. He was in plain clothes. Cop? Had Crews put a tail on her to wait for when she really decided to break the law?
She pulled into a diner and parked, turning to see the car following her drive by without following her into the parking lot.
“Get a grip,” she whispered to herself.
The bell above the door chimed when she entered her favorite grease pit. The scent of hash browns made her stomach growl. Maggie, her usual waitress, glanced her way but didn’t say a word. Ryley didn’t need to be told to grab a seat. Most times, she sat at the bar, but today she’d have company and a need for some privacy.
She took the booth at the end of the aisle and slid across the vinyl seat. Maggie appeared instantly with a cup of coffee and a bowl of creamer. “We missed you last night. I saved you the last piece of apple pie.”
“Sorry. I had to help a friend. If you still have the pie, I’ll take it now.”
Maggie grinned. “Dessert before the meal. You’re living dangerously.”
“Hard time will do that to a girl.”
Her eyes widened. “Did you get arrested? Is that why you didn’t show?”
She shrugged. “It was just a case of mistaken identity. The cop mistook me for someone who gave a damn.”
Maggie chuckled. “Bet he was ready to throw away the key.”
Ryley smiled. “I have that effect on people.”
“The pie is on the house.” Maggie’s smile softened.
“Thanks. I’m waiting for a guest before I order.”
“Let me guess, the cop from last night?” Maggie asked.
Ryley gave her a salty smile. “No, but this guy is his BFF.”
“Only you,” Maggie teased. “So, are you coming by tonight for your standard dinner appointment?”
“Probably not. If I do, I’ll order when I get here. I took the day and night off to help a friend,” Ryley answered.
“You need help?” Maggie asked. The first time Ryley had been in the diner, there had been a ghost sitting at the bar. Maggie had put a cup in front of him, acknowledging his presence and that had shocked Ryley. She could see them, too. Ryley had talked the spirit out of his worries and crossed him into the light that night, and she and Maggie had become fast friends.
“I think I can handle it, but
