Chapter 4
Back inside the diner, Preston held back, while I asked Archie if it was possible Nicky had tried to grab him, to keep him safe, rather than trying to push him.
“Yes!” Archie was excited about that at first. “He doesn’t like me, though.”
“I’m not sure he likes anybody right now,” I said. “Try not to take it personally.”
“Do you believe him?”
“I kind of do.”
“Me, too.”
Archie gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. I didn’t.
“I’m glad it wasn’t Nicky.”
“Me, too.”
“Does Ralph know Nicky didn’t shove me?” Archie’s question raised several more. I was going to have to keep digging.
“I’ll tell him,” I said.
“Good, because he must have thought he did. That’s what he told me.”
Except Ralph claimed he hadn’t.
“Back to work, Archie.” Dawn was a taskmaster. She rarely showed
