“If they reunite, then yes.” Cope couldn’t think of any reason why mother and son wouldn’t be able to find each other. He imagined Cyrus would be waiting for her when the time came. “That brings up another question.”
“Do we tell Cyrus what we know about his mother?” Ten asked.
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that myself since last night. If we tell him she’s sick and wants this case solved before her time is up, do you think that would convince Cyrus to spill the truth?”
Ten shook his head. “I’m not sure. Do you think he already knows his mother is sick?”
“He didn’t say anything about it to me. It’s possible his spirit was in the room last night when we spoke to his mother. I’ll reach out to him tonight.” Cope knew he had to tell Cyrus what was going on with his mother. He’d tell the spirit about her dying wish and leave it to him to decide if he wanted to tell his story or not.
“Send the kids over for a movie night. That way, we can speak to Cyrus without interruption. I’ll text Ronan now and ask him to pick up snacks for the kids.” Ten pulled out his phone.
“What about Everly?” Cope asked.
“She loves Swedish Fish. I’ll ask Ronan to get her some.”
Cope grinned. “No, I mean do you think we should ask her to get involved? If anyone could read Cyrus Longfellow, it might be her.” Cope was constantly amazed by the things Everly was able to do with her gifts.
“I asked her the other night if she was sensing any spirits at the hotel. She said she hadn’t but knew all about Chet Hines and what he wanted. She actually said she wouldn’t tell him anything. Everly didn’t like his energy and said his aura was dark and smelled like old leaves.” Ten grimaced.
Cope had gotten the same impression from the man. He was only out for himself and his own glory. A disturbing thought struck him. “I’m not convinced he had nothing to do with the murder.”
“Chet Hines?” Ten asked, sounding intrigued. “It’s possible.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time a reporter became the story instead of covering it.” Cope felt like he was onto something. “Maybe we should call him and set up a meeting. Let him think he’s running the show and then ask if he killed Cyrus.”
“It’s not the worst idea,” Ten agreed. “Ronan and the guys are on their way back from the Jungle. We can ask what they think over lunch. I’m starving.”
“Me too.” Cope couldn’t even remember what he’d had for breakfast. It had struck him earlier that Chet Hines might just bethe key to solving Cyrus Longfellow’s murder, but why the hell wouldn’t Cyrus implicate the reporter?
Unless, of course, they were in it together.
13
Jude
“Hole in one!” Ronan crowed, holding up his golf club like he’d just beat Tiger Woods to win the Masters.
Jude sighed. He was several strokes behind. There was no way he was going to make up ground on Ronan if his asshole friend kept sinking impossible shots. To be honest, all the holes at the Dino World Mini-Golf course had proven impossible for Jude.
“You can do it, Uncle Jude. I have faith in you.” Everly grinned up at Jude.
“Thank you, honey. I’m glad someone does.” Jude shot Cope a “so-there” look. Wolf and Aurora were two holes ahead of them with Fitzgibbon. Every so often, he heard Aurora shout with joy when she got her ball in the hole. Jace was back at the motel with Lizbet and Ezra for naptime. He wouldn’t be surprised if Jace grabbed a nap for himself.
Jude lined up to take his shot. Standing in front of him was a giant Tyrannosaurus rex. His mouth was opened in a ferocious roar. The hole was shaped like the letterT, with the hole being to the right-hand side of the crossbar. Jude needed to shoot the ball between the dinosaur’s legs and somehow get it to ricochet off the wall with a bounce to the right. Ronan had made it look so easy. Standing at the tee now, Jude thought it looked impossible.
Taking a deep breath, Jude swung his club and connected with his bright green ball. It headed for the space under the Rex’s legs but clipped the side of a brick and bounced back toward him.
“Geez, Jude. Maybe it would help if you shut your eyes and swung.” Ronan cackled.
“Oh, yeah?” Jude shot back. “Maybe it would help if you shut your giant cake hole!”
“Uncle Jude.” Everly waved him closer. She smiled when Jude knelt in front of her. “You can’t let Dad get your goat like that. He’ssoannoying.” She rolled her eyes in a perfect imitation of her father. “Hit the ball toward the left leg. It will bounce off the brick and roll into the hole, but you gotta hit it hard enough, okay?” Everly patted his shoulder. “You got this.”
Feeling more confident, Jude addressed the ball and pictured the shot in his head. He did what Everly advised and hit the ball, which bounced off the brick near the T. rex leg and rolled toward the hole. It hovered on the edge for a second before dropping in. “I did it!” Jude shouted, making the other parents turn to look at him. Several offered him a golf clap.
“It’s a kiddie course, dickwad,” one annoyed father said a little too loudly.
Jude was ready to take on the asshole and his heavy New York accent when Cope grabbed his elbow and pointed behind them. Standing at the edge of the course and waving was Chet Hines.
