“Little thief,” I mumble as my breakfast pops up from the toaster, and I realize that though it’s too big on her, the deep red of my sweater looks pretty good with her dark hair. Just like it does with mine.

My mother refreshes her coffee and sips it, hot and black. “Those were my earrings too. I think that’s her way of holding on to us, even if she doesn’t realize that’s what she’s doing. She’s had a rough year.”

I bite into my Pop-Tart without commentary. We’ve all had a rough year. I think Landry just knows that the cheapest shopping is done in someone else’s closet.

“I got a text from June McAlister last night.” The sympathy in Mom’s voice rubs me the wrong way, like a shoe that’s a size too small. “She said she couldn’t get through to your phone.”

Because it’s been off, due to reporters and psychos calling me almost nonstop.

“She canceled for Friday night?”

My mother sighs into her mug. “Actually, she said they won’t be needing you anymore. I’m sorry, hon.”

“Great.” The McAlisters were my most consistent source of babysitting money, and they won’t be the only ones to decide their children aren’t safe with the #babykiller. “Tell me this will blow over, Mom.”

She sets her mug down and gives me the I’m Afraid I Have Some Bad News, Ma’am look. Another Julie Bergen classic. “I’m not sure it will, Beck. Not anytime soon, anyway.”

I hear some mothers lie to make their kids feel better. Mine only seems to lie to make herself feel better. Speaking of which …

“So, did you draw the short straw?” I ask around a bite of chocolate and marshmallow creme.

“What?”

“Do you have to take Jake’s DNA kit to Memphis? That’s a two-hour drive each way.”

“No, Robert’s going to take it.”

I chew in silence for a minute as I listen to the shower running from down the hall. Penn is finally up. “So, about that Titans shirt …”

My mother dumps the last of her coffee into the sink and sets her mug on the counter. “Beckett, I can’t trust you after last night. So don’t even bother.”

“That’s not fair. I had nothing to do with the Crimson Cryer leaks. And as for last night, I felt like I owed Jake a heads-up after what I accused him of. Anyway, Officer Green said you don’t even know yet that a crime has been committed, so—”