IN HIGH COTTON

NEELY KATE MYSTERY #2

DENISE GROVER SWANK

Copyright © 2018 by Denise Grover Swank

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 CONTENTS

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Also by Denise Grover Swank
Also by D.G. Swank
About the Author
 CHAPTER 1

“
D o you have plans Saturday night?”
If my boyfriend Jed had been the
one asking, my answer would have been a
wholehearted “spending the night with you,” but
this was my brother Joe. Four weeks ago, he’d
started dating the woman from hell, and she and I
hadn’t exactly taken to each other.
“Depends on why you’re askin’,” I said, taking
a sip of my coconut milk chai latte with nutmeg and
cinnamon, as I shifted back in my seat at our two-
person table in the middle of The Daily Grind. He’d
blown me off a few times in favor of the
aforementioned girlfriend, Dena, but over the last
two weeks, he’d put more effort into spending time
with me. The tongue-lashing I’d given him likely
had a thing or two to do with it. This was the
second week in a row we’d had a breakfast coffee
date at the shop a few doors down from the
landscaping office where I worked with my best
friend Rose.
Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms
over his chest and grinned. “Why, Neely Kate
Rivers, are you screening my invitations?”
“The last time you invited me to something, we
painted your kitchen and Dena complained the
entire time.”
“I wanted her to see how much fun we have
paintin’.”
Considering our first big fight had been over Joe
blowing off our “painting party” at his house so
they could see a movie with her friends, I
understood his motivation. He’d wanted to prove to
her we really did have fun working on his house.
Too bad it had backfired big-time.
“We both know how that went,” I said, picking
off a piece of my blueberry muffin and popping it
into my mouth. “When she left, she hated me more
than before we’d started.”
“You didn’t have to get paint on her shirt.”
 I held out my hand. “Who wears nice clothes to
paint?”
“She told you she wasn’t paintin’,” Joe said.
“Then why did she come to a paintin’ party?”
His eyes lit up with mischief. “You have a
point.”
“Thank you,” I said in a smug tone.
He chuckled. “Well, at least I’ve introduced
you to who I’m datin’. You’ve been seeing
someone for weeks and I have no idea who he is.”
“I’ll tell you when I’m ready.”
“And when will you be ready?”
When hell freezes over would sound too
adversarial. “When I feel like it. On to more
important things, like what you’re invitin’ me to.”
His smile faded, and he leaned forward, resting
his forearm on the table. “I’ve been thinkin’ about
something you said… that I was embarrassed to let
people know you’re my sister.”
My good mood instantly vanished. This had
been a huge source of contention between us. Joe
and I had only discovered we were half-siblings
back in February. His wealthy, influential, and
sociopathic father’d had an affair (if you could call
it that) with my then-seventeen-year-old mother.
Since J.R. Simmons didn’t leave loose ends lying
around, my mother had run away. She’d never told
anyone, including me, the truth. I’d found out from
Rose’s mother’s diary, and the information had
been confirmed by Kate, my unstable half sister.
She was now locked up in a psychiatric ward,
though she still attempted to control my life like a
puppet master.
The situation had ended up in the papers, but
my peripheral involvement had not. Very few
people knew the truth of my parentage, and Joe had
insisted on keeping it that way, even though people
had begun to notice how much time we spent
together. At first, I’d assumed Dena was unpleasant
to me out of jealousy, thinking Joe and I were
romantically involved, but Joe had apparently told
her I was his sister on their second date.
“Now hold up, Neely Kate,” he quickly added
before my irritation could escalate into a tirade.
“Hear me out. I keep telling you I’m not
embarrassed of you, and I’m not, but I can
understand why you have trouble believin’ it. So I
want to fix that.”
I shot him a scowl. “Go on.” I suspected his
idea of fixing it was completely different from
mine.
“You know my biggest concern is that you’ll be
hurt once people find out. While we knew our
father was dirty and shady, it’s still big news to the
rest of the world.” And a big scandal too. J.R.
Simmons had been the most powerful, influential
man in Arkansas, both in business and in politics.
Joe made a face, then continued. “I guess I didn’t
take into account that not tellin’ people was hurtin’
you too. Either way I’m hurtin’ you, Neely Kate,
and it kills me.”
“The only way you can hurt me is to ignore
me,” I said. “Like after we first found out. And
when you picked Dena over me.”
“I know, and I’m sorry for being such a fool. It
was wrong of me to make the decision for you. It
should be your call, not mine.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You’re
kiddin’.”
“I’m not, and if you’re up to it, I want to take
you to a fundraiser dinner in Little Rock on
Saturday night. It would be your debut as a
Simmons kid.”
“You’d tell people that I’m your sister?” I asked
in shock. “You won’t introduce me as your friend?”
 “I’m not sure you realize how big this is. It’s
likely to make the paper, so I want you to be
certain this is what you want. People will probably
stare and whisper about us at the dinner. Do you
think you can take it?”
My back straightened. “Of course I can.”
He gave me a sheepish grin. “I know you can.
You’re strong enough to withstand anything. I guess
what I should have asked is if it’s really worth it to
you. Is it worth facing so much scrutiny? Maybe
you should think about it. It’s a big decision.”
He was right. Why did I want this so badly? I
wasn’t sure, but it felt like I’d been missing a piece
all my life and Joe had just handed it to me.
I shook my head. “There’s nothing to think
about. I’d love to go.”
He grinned. “Great. I thought we could head up
to Little Rock around three. I still have my
apartment, so we can get dressed there. The
dinner’s likely to go late, so we can stay in Little
Rock overnight and come home on Saturday.”
Spend the night? That made sense, but two
things gave me pause: One, my boyfriend Jed and I
usually went to Little Rock together on Sundays.
And two, Rose was going away for the weekend
with Skeeter Malcolm and I’d promised to watch
her dog.
“What bothers you about that?” he asked,
studying my face.
“Nothing,” I said, concealing my thoughts. I
wasn’t about to tell him about Jed, and Rose’s
relationship with Skeeter was both brand new and
top secret. When you decided to start sleeping with
the king of the local crime world, it helped to keep
it on the down low—especially when your best
friend’s brother was the chief deputy sheriff. But
Rose saw a different man than the rest of the world,
and she swore that one of the reasons he kept his
position was because he worried what would
happen to the county if someone else took over.
Turned out Skeeter Malcolm had morals. “I guess
I’m still shocked that you changed your mind.”
He leaned back in his chair again, giving me a
cocky smile. “Maybe your good sense is rubbing
off on me.”
I laughed at that. “You’re probably the third
person to tell me that.”
His brow rose. “Rose being the first? Who was
the second? Witt?”
I just grinned. Jed was the other one who’d said
it, but I knew Joe wouldn’t approve of me being in
the same room as Jed, never mind dating him. Jed
had been Skeeter Malcolm’s right-hand man for
years, which meant he’d dirtied his hands in plenty
of Fenton County messes. Even though he’d turned
his back on that world and was starting fresh, he
needed more time and distance before Joe would be
willing to accept him.
Joe’s phone rang, and he made a face as he
pulled it out. Shooting me a quick look, he turned
off the ringer and set his phone facedown on the
table.
“Not important?” I asked.
“It can wait.” He tried to look relaxed but failed
miserably.
I released a soft sigh. It was obvious who’d
called him, and equally obvious he felt guilty for
not answering. Either he wanted to be with me or
he didn’t. I picked up my cup. “I need to get back
to the office.”
“We haven’t even been here ten minutes.”
“You have things you need to get back to.”
Defeat filled his eyes. “Neely Kate…”
“That’s not a relationship, Joe,” I said, trying to
keep my temper from flaring as I stood.
 “Sit, Neely Kate,” he said, grabbing my wrist
and tugging me down. “I told her I’d be here with
you at least a half hour. She can wait.”
“Obviously she can’t. Have you told her about
taking me to the dinner?”
“Yes.” He released a nervous laugh.
“Paid for that one, huh?”
“She understands.”
I highly doubted that. “Joe, I say this as
someone who’s been in your shoes, so please listen
before you respond, okay?”
His shoulders stiffened, but he said, “Okay.”
“I know you’re excited to find someone you’re
interested in, but have you noticed the similarities
between your relationship with Dena and the one
you had with Hilary?” His ex-girlfriend had taken
manipulation to a new level, but this thing with
Dena had just started. She had time to catch up.
“What?”
“Dena’s controlling. She knows we’re having
coffee together, yet she’s calling you ten minutes
in. She’s threatened by me.”
“And perhaps with good reason,” I heard Dena
say in a snotty tone behind me. “Especially when
his sister is trying to turn him against me.”
 Joe looked horrified.
I turned in my seat, slightly embarrassed, but
then I reminded myself everything I’d said was
true. Her very presence was proof of that. “Hello,
Dena. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Obviously.”
Joe cleared his throat. “Dena. What are you
doin’ here?”
“My coffee maker’s broken, so I decided to
come over and get a cup. I tried to call you to ask
you to pick one up for me before you left, but you
didn’t answer.” Her gaze dropped to the phone on
the table, then lifted in accusation.
“I’m sorry I missed it,” he said, guilt washing
over his face. “We were deep in conversation.”
“I can see that,” she said, but it didn’t come off
as bitchy as I would have expected. She made it
sound almost sweet. “Do you think you could get
me one now?” She gave him an innocent look and
batted her eyelashes.
“Neely Kate was in the middle—”
“Of talking about me. I caught that.” She pulled
up a chair from the empty table next to ours and sat
down. “I can see that Neely Kate and I got off on
the wrong foot,” she said with an apologetic smile.
“And I completely admit that it’s my fault. If I were
in her shoes, I’d do the same thing. She’s just being
a good sister.”
I stared at her in disbelief.
Dena covered Joe’s hand with her own. “If
you’d get that coffee for me, I’d like to start over
with your sister.”
I wasn’t buying this act for a moment, but poor
gullible Joe was looking at me like an eager puppy.
He wanted to believe it, and so he did. Mostly. In
his defense, most men probably would have bought
it too.
“It’s okay,” I said. “I’d love to start fresh.”
Then, for good measure, I gave him a beaming
smile. I was eager to find out what she was up to.
Indecision wavered in his eyes, but he stood
and walked over to the counter.
Dena’s face lit up with a bright smile. “Neely
Kate, I’m sorry we’ve struggled to find a common
ground.” She sounded genuine enough, but she
looked a little too eager to win me over, especially
considering the stink eye she’d given me at the end
of our paint party.
“Seems to me that Joe’s our common ground,
so I think this is actually a turf war.”
 Her smile wavered, and she cast a glance at Joe.
“I know that Joe wants to spend more time with
me, but you…” She stopped and seemed to collect
herself. “He feels guilty that he’s not spending as
much time with you.”
She must have expected to get a rise out of me,
but I took a sip of my coffee and waited her out.
Irritation flickered in her eyes. He’d only been
gone for a half minute, and already her claws were
out. “I realize that you’re lonely, Neely Kate, but
maybe you should focus on getting a real boyfriend
and not a pretend one instead of monopolizing all
of Joe’s time. It’s not his responsibility to babysit
you.” She punctuated her sentence with a broad
smile.
“A pretend boyfriend?”
“It’s okay,” she said in her fake understanding
voice. “Joe’s still buying it, but I know better. Why
else won’t you tell him who it is?”
I made sure to hide my irritation. “Joe’s
welcome to spend as much or as little time with me
as he pleases. The only thing I asked him to do is
stop canceling on me.”
Her smile slipped, but she plastered it firmly
back into place. “Joe told me he was going to invite
you to the fundraiser dinner on Saturday.” Her eyes
widened. “Oh, I hope I didn’t spoil the surprise,
although I told him you’d say no.”
“Why would I say no?”
“Because you’d feel out of place.” She
grimaced. “All that dinner protocol. I went to
cotillion up in Magnolia and learned dinner and
dancing etiquette, but you . . . I figured you’d be
worried that you’d embarrass yourself or Joe.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “I’ve been to a dinner
before, Dena. I know how to use silverware.”
“But do you know which fork to use for
dessert? Or where your water and wine glasses sit?
Because Joe knows those things in his sleep.”
“Then Joe can help me.”
“Do you really think Joe wants to babysit you
at the dinner? He’s going to be worried enough
about what people will think.”
“Joe says he’s not worried about that.”
“Joe couldn’t care less what people say about
him. He’ll be worried about you.”
I was about to respond when Joe walked up
with her coffee.
She stood and took it from him, reaching up to
give him a kiss. “Thanks for the coffee, Joey. And
thanks for givin’ me time to chat with Neely Kate.
Oh,” she added, making it sound like an
afterthought, “I hadn’t gotten around to asking if I
could go dress shoppin’ with her yet.”
“Dress shoppin’?” I asked in confusion after I
got past the fact that she’d called him Joey. Then it
hit me—dress shopping. Oh, my stars and garters,
Joe hadn’t proposed already, had he?
She released a chuckle. “You’ll need a formal
dress for the dinner.”
Thank you, sweet baby Jesus. But one moment
of sweet relief was followed by a sinking feeling.
Crap. I’d forgotten I’d need a new dress, and the
look on her face told me she knew it would be a
problem for me.
“That might be fun,” Joe said with a hopeful
look.
I was pretty sure Joe didn’t want to hear
“When monkeys fly out of Dena’s butt,” so I
smiled and said, “I think I have something that will
work.”
Joe beamed. “That’s great. Maybe another
time.”
Yeah, when monkeys flew out of my butt.
 CHAPTER 2

I checked my phone and saw I had a

message from Rose’s sister Violet.
Can you run by the nursery this morning?
There’s something I need to talk to you about.
Violet and I weren’t usually on texting terms,
but I quickly sent back: Of course.
Anything to get out of here.
I stuffed the phone back in my purse. “That
was a text from Violet. There’s something I have to
take care of right away.”
Joe looked worried. “Is everything okay?”
We both knew it wasn’t. Violet had incurable
cancer. Time wasn’t on her side, which made her
request feel more urgent. “I think so, but she asked
that I come by this morning, so I need to go before
my next appointment.”
Dena gave me an amused grin. “Is it a
landscaping emergency?”
“We actually have those,” I said as I stood.
“Sometimes Bruce Wayne decides a plant in the
design won’t work or he needs more or the owner
substitutes things at the last minute. Bruce Wayne
and his crew are pretty booked, so any delays can
mess up their schedule.” Why was I explaining this
to her? And why was I so grumpy? Part of it was
definitely Dena, but I was also worried about
Violet’s text. What could she possibly want to talk
about?
“Are you sure you have to go?” Joe asked,
sounding disappointed.
I let my gaze drift to Dena for a fraction of a
second before shifting it back to him. “Yeah. We’ll
talk later.”
Then I spun around and hurried out before I
could say anything I’d regret, like pointing out that
Dena had created a bogus excuse to come over and
interrupt our coffee date. I’d done all I could do to
make Joe see the light. He had to figure things out
for himself.
 I slid behind the wheel of my car and, crossing
my fingers, turned the key. My cousin Witt was a
mechanic and had stumbled upon a used
transmission that he thought might buy me more
time before I was forced to get a new car. It had
worked so far, but I’d had enough bad days with
the hunk of junk that it felt like Russian roulette
every time I turned it over.
The engine roared to life, but before I could pull
away from the curb, I saw Joe heading out of the
coffee shop with Dena clinging to his hand. I
resisted the urge to roll my eyes and shifted into
reverse as he released her hand and headed my
way. She stayed back, but it was clear she didn’t
like it.
“Neely Kate, wait up.”
I would have loved to pretend I hadn’t heard
him, but the a/c was out in my car, so the windows
were already down—I’d almost pay someone to
steal it—and he was standing on the curb about
four feet away. “I have to go, Joe.”
He walked to my driver’s door and squatted so
his face was level with mine. “I’m sorry our coffee
date got interrupted.”
“Are you?” I asked dryly.
 “What’s that mean?”
I shook my head in disgust, then repeated, “I
have to go.”
“Wait.” He gripped the door through the open
window as though he could keep me from backing
up. My car was such a piece of crap, I was giving
him fifty-fifty odds.
“Joe, I don’t want to talk about this.”
“Then we’ll talk later, but I need to know that
you’re still good with Saturday night.”
Oh God. Had he invited Dena to come to that
too?
He must have seen the confused look on my
face. “You’re still planning to come with me?”
“It’s just the two of us?”
“Of course.”
But for how long? “Look,” I said with a sigh. “I
don’t want to be that person, but I’m gonna put it
out there—if she’s coming, I’m not. If it’s just you
and me, then I’m still in.”
“I… She knows it’s just the two of us. She
wouldn’t…”
“She found a really great excuse to crash our
coffee date. She would.” I softened my tone. “I’ve
got to go. Despite Dena’s skepticism, there really
are instances that are semi-emergent.”
He frowned. “She didn’t mean—”
“She did.” I sounded sadder than I’d intended.
“I’ve got to go.” Then I backed out, refusing to
look at him.
The further I got from him, the bitchier I felt,
but I was so tired of feeling I had to compete for
attention. Was it so wrong to want someone to
simply love me and want to be with me and not
have to fight for it?
I had that with Rose, but our relationship was
strained lately, and I knew it was completely my
doing. I was keeping secrets from her and they
were coming between us. I was nearly ready to tell
her everything, but I kept finding excuses to stay
silent.
Six years ago, I’d killed a man, and then I’d
buried his body. I wasn’t afraid of losing her love—
I knew I could tell her the whole ugly truth and
she’d still love me—but I was afraid of losing her
respect. I’d done everything I could to become a
woman who would never fall prey to a man again.
And yet there was no erasing the fact that I’d been
weak. A strong woman wouldn’t have allowed her
boyfriend to use her as a sex slave for nine months.
A strong woman wouldn’t have let herself get into a
situation where killing a man was the only way out.
I couldn’t handle the pity I’d see in Rose’s eyes if
she found out—or how devastated she’d be on my
behalf. Rose had the biggest heart of anyone I
knew, and once she found out what I’d gone
through, it would break her.
But part of me needed to tell her. I wanted her
to know the whole me.
Thank God I had Jed to help me work through
it.
Except I’d begun to realize he had secrets of his
own. He’d been cagey about something the last
couple of weeks, going off and doing things that he
couldn’t share with me. And while he was a very
attentive boyfriend when we were together, we still
hadn’t slept together. I knew there were plenty of
men who waited before sleeping with a woman, but
I knew for a fact that Jed Carlisle wasn’t one of
them.
So why wouldn’t he sleep with me? He’d told
me he wanted to wait to prove I was special, but
combined with his secrets, I was beginning to
wonder if he’d changed his mind, especially since
he’d pulled away from me the last couple of times
we’d kissed. Maybe he was feeling stuck, like we’d
shared too many secrets for him to ditch unstable,
needy Neely Kate. That kind of thing happens
when you move a body with someone.
Then there was the fact that we’d agreed to
keep our relationship secret. I couldn’t risk Joe
finding out, and Jed was worried that Skeeter’s
enemies would hurt me to hurt him. It was for the
best, but what kind of life could we lead if we kept
each other a secret? And some part of me worried
he didn’t want anyone to think he was sleeping
with Neely Kate Rivers Colson…even if he wasn’t.
I pulled into the nursery parking lot, pleased to
see several cars in the lot. August was supposedly a
slow month for landscaping businesses, but Bruce
Wayne and his grounds crew were busting their
tails to keep up with demand, and Rose and I
usually had at least one consultation a day.
I started to open my door when my phone rang
with a number I didn’t recognize. I sure didn’t
know anyone with a 469 area code. Figuring it was
a robocall, I silenced the ringer and stuck the phone
in my pocket as I climbed out.
Maeve, the store manager, was ringing up a
customer at the counter, and I could see Anna out
back talking to a customer. Violet was sitting in a
chair in the back of the store.
Violet and Rose had started the Gardner Sisters
Nursery together, and my brother Joe was now a
partial owner after having bailed them out of a
financial situation that had nearly ended their
business last November. Violet had been diagnosed
with some kind of aggressive blood cancer in
February, and she’d come home last month after a
long stay at MD Anderson in Houston. We’d all
thought she was cured, only to find out there was
nothing more they could do to save her.
A couple of weeks ago, she’d been so weak
Rose had feared she would die any minute, but
Violet had gotten strong enough to come work at
the nursery for a few hours every day. The nursery
had been Violet’s dream and being here made her
happy.
She smiled when she saw me and waved me
back to the cozy corner Anna had set up for her.
“You’re lookin’ good, Violet,” I said as I walked
toward her.
She reached a hand up to the light pink scarf
tied around her head.
I squatted in front of her and grabbed her wrist,
gently pulling her hand down to her lap. “Stop.
You’re beautiful.”
Tears swam in her eyes. Violet once had the
most beautiful blond hair before it had all fallen out
from her chemo. She was self-admittedly vain, so I
knew it bothered her to lose it.
Her gaze dipped to her lap. “Neely Kate.”
The way she said my name, so gentle and a
little sad, reminded me of the last time we’d spoken
on our own. She’d called me after my miscarriage
in January. While no one else had known what to
say to me, she’d told me the one thing I needed to
hear: She understood. Turned out she’d lost a baby
too, before Rose’s niece was born.
“I never thanked you,” I said softly.
Her eyes lifted. “What on earth for?”
“For bein’ there for me after I lost my babies.
We weren’t really friends, yet you were the one
person who actually made me feel like I’d survive
it.”
She grabbed my hand and squeezed. “It’s a
sisterhood, albeit a sad one. I knew how much you
wanted those babies.”
My miscarriage hadn’t just sent me reeling; it
had also led to the end of my marriage. The doctor
had removed one of my fallopian tubes with the
ectopic pregnancy and said the other tube was
hopelessly scarred from my previous multiple STIs.
I was lucky to have gotten pregnant in the first
place, and it was unlikely to happen again. I’d
hidden most of my past from Ronnie, and it turned
out he couldn’t handle being married to a slut,
especially one who couldn’t give him babies. He’d
run off a week later and I hadn’t heard from him
since. Now I just wanted to serve him divorce
papers and be done with the man, but no one knew
how to find him.
“You know there was a reason we weren’t
friends before,” she said. “I was jealous of you.”
“Jealous of me?”
“You replaced me in Rose’s heart.”
My eyes flew wide. “No, Violet! I—”
She squeezed my hand tighter. “Stop. I missed
my sister, but it was my own stubborn fault. I
chased her away. You’re a good friend to her, Neely
Kate.” A tear fell down her cheek. “I asked you to
meet me here because I need you to make me a
promise.”
I nodded, fighting my own tears. “Of course.”
“You don’t even know what it is yet.” She
grinned even as more tears fell. “If I’d known this
dyin’ thing could get people to agree to just about
anything, I would have started tellin’ people I was
dyin’ years ago.”
I started to gasp, then laughed instead. Turned
out honesty was a new trait Violet was trying on for
size now that she was dying. “I think I like you,
Violet Beauregard.”
“I like you too, Neely Kate Rivers.” She placed
her palm against mine and laced our fingers
together. “Which is why I want you to promise me
you’ll always be there for my sister.”
“I love Rose. Of course I will.”
She shook her head, tears streaming now. She
squeezed my hand tighter. “No. I mean till death do
you part. You’ve been more of a sister to her than
I’ve been lately. You two have a bond that she and
I never had. She’s gonna need you more than ever,
Neely Kate.” Her voice broke. “She’s been through
so much in her life. So. Much. The things Momma
did to her …” She started crying harder. “I can’t
stand the fact that I’m leaving her alone.”
I pulled her head to my shoulder and wrapped
an arm around her back, feeling every rib through
her thin shirt. “You put that worry to rest, do you
hear me?” I whispered fiercely. “She’s not alone. I
won’t let that happen and neither will Maeve, or
Joe, or Jonah, or a whole host of other people. We
may not be her blood kin, but we love her just the
same.” I grabbed her face between my hands and
stared into her eyes. “You hear me? She’ll never be
alone.”
“I’ve asked her to do something hard after I
die. I need you to stand with her then.”
My heart skipped a beat. “What have you
asked her to do?”
“She doesn’t know what it is yet. It’s in my
will.”
“What do you want her to do, Vi?” I pressed.
She shook her head. “No. All in good time.”
She released my hand and leaned back in her chair,
looking exhausted. “I know she’s seein’ someone.
Do you know who it is?”
I hesitated, caught off guard. “Why do you
think she’s seein’ someone?”
She gave me a look that suggested I was a fool.
“Because she has that glow a woman gets when
she’s being adored by a man and is gettin’ lots of
sex. Do you know who it is?”
“I… uh…”
 She waved a hand. “Never mind. You don’t
need to tell me. I’ll find out soon enough on my
own. I plan on peerin’ over the edge of heaven and
spyin’ on all y’all. I’ll find out who it is then.”
I couldn’t help laughing.
“I’d like to get to know you better before I
die,” Violet said, turning serious. “I know it’s a
morbid way of puttin’ it, but it’s true. I feel like I
wasted time I could have spent bein’ your friend
too. But maybe you’d rather not make the effort
seein’ as how I don’t have much time left.”
If I hadn’t known she only had months to live, I
would have been warier. Violet was a manipulator
in her own right. But what purpose would it serve
now? Call me a fool, but I believed that she was
trying to make amends. “Don’t go bein’ all pouty,”
I said with a grin. “Tryin’ to guilt me into bein’ your
friend.”
She grinned back. “Is it workin’?”
“You had me at dyin’, Vi,” I said, my breath
hitching. “Of course I’ll be your friend.”
“Help me up. I want to show you something.”
I stood and offered her a hand. “What is it?”
“You’ll see soon enough.”
“Now you sound like my granny.”
 Violet took my hand and I pulled her to her feet,
surprised she weighed next to nothing. “Hopefully I
don’t look like your granny.”
“No. She has more hair than you do.”
Violet burst into laughter and then started
coughing.
Maeve had stuck close to the register after her
customer left, giving Violet and me space to talk,
but she made a move toward us now with worry in
her eyes.
Violet held her hand up and forced out words
through her coughing fit. “I’m fine.”
Maeve stayed in place, but her worried look
stuck around too.
“I’m fine. I’m not dyin’ yet,” Violet said, then
took a deep breath without coughing. “I’m takin’
Neely Kate out back.”
“Okay,” Maeve said, though she didn’t look
like she thought it was a good idea.
Violet walked without assistance, which was a
one hundred percent improvement over her
condition a couple of weeks ago. Rose had
practically had to carry her around. We went out
the back door and she led me into the greenhouse
where all the shade loving plants were kept.
 “Do you know what these are?” she asked,
pointing to a flowering plant.
“Impatiens,” I said in confusion. From her
dramatic declaration, I’d figured she wanted to
show me something important, not a bunch of
plants.
“That’s right. Can you plant them in the sun?”
“No,” I said slowly, drawing out the word,
“they like shade.”
“They do like shade, but you actually can plant
them in the sun if you want to.”
“Vi… maybe we should go inside.”
“Don’t be a whiner, Neely Kate, and listen to
what I’m teachin’ you. If you’re gonna work with
Rose, you need to know this. I won’t be here, so
you need to take my place and help her. Impatiens
can go in the sun, but you need to work your way
up to it. If you just plop ’em in the sun, they’ll dry
up, but if you introduce it to them slowly and give
them a lot of water, they’ll acclimate. What else
can you tell me about impatiens?” she asked. “Do
you need to deadhead them?”
I blinked. “No…?”
“That’s right. They clean themselves up quite
nicely, something I hope Mikey learns to do sooner
than later,” she said about her two-year-old son
with a grin. “Now, what else do you know about
them?”
“They like lots of water.”
She grinned. “That’s right, but if they wilt, they
tend to bounce right back once they’ve had a good
drink. One more thing—some of the older women
like to call them touch-me-nots. If you don’t know
what they’re talkin’ about, they’ll turn right around
and walk out the door. How about over there?” She
pointed to some begonias. “What are those?”
She spent the next half hour grilling me over
flowering plants, peppering in questions about my
personal life.
“How are things goin’ with Joe? I hear he’s
datin’ the cupcake shop owner.”
“Dena,” I said, trying to keep the hostility out
of my voice. “I don’t want to talk about her.”
“Is Joe still keepin’ you a secret from the
world?”
I gaped at her. “Did Rose tell you that?”
“No, Joe did just the other day.” She gave me
an ornery grin.
“Oh, my stars and garters, did you have
something to do with him changing his mind?”
 Her grin spread. “I may have suggested it
wasn’t his decision to make.” I stared at her in
disbelief and her eyes twinkled. “Not all my
meddling is bad.”
She had a point. “He asked me if I wanted to go
to a fundraiser dinner in Little Rock on Saturday
night.”
“What did you tell him?” she asked as she
inched closer to the asparagus ferns.
“I told him yes, but Dena’s makin’ me have
second thoughts.”
She rested one hand on the table and the other
on her hip. “What on earth for?”
“Well, she reminded me that I don’t have a
dress to wear.” I lowered my voice. “I don’t have
money to get a new car. I sure as Pete can’t afford
to be wastin’ money on a fancy dress.”
“I have a closet full of fancy dresses,” Violet
said. “And shoes too. Just come over to my house
and pick one out.”
“I can’t do that, Violet.”
“Why on earth not? I won’t be wearin’ them
anytime soon. Bring Rose with you and we’ll make
a party out of it.”
I flushed. “Okay. Thanks.”
 “See? Problem solved.”
“Not entirely,” I said. “Dena also pointed out
that I don’t know anything about eatin’ at formal
dinners.
“So you learn,” she said. “Joe may have been
born with a silver spoon, but he didn’t know if it
was a soup spoon or a dessert spoon. He learned at
cotillion.”
“Rivers kids didn’t go to cotillion.”
Her mouth twisted to the side. “No, but a
Rivers woman can still learn.” Then, without saying
another word to me, she pulled her phone out of
her pocket and placed a call.
What was she doing?
“Mary Ellen, it’s Violet… I’m fine, but I’m not
calling about me. Do you still have those etiquette
classes?”
My mouth dropped open.
“Tonight?” She raised her eyebrows at me, and
I found myself nodding. “Surely you can make an
exception for me. Just this once.” Violet grinned.
“Reserve two spots. No, not for me. They’re for
Neely Kate Rivers and my sister Rose.”
Rose?
“Seven o’clock and I hear you. They won’t be
late. Thank you, Mary Ellen.” She hung up the
phone and tucked it back into her pocket. “I think
our lesson in the greenhouse is done for today. You
and Rose need to be there promptly at seven, so I
suggest you plan on getting to Mary Ellen’s house
five minutes early. She gives a series of four classes
and you’ve missed two, but tonight’s lesson is
about tea and dinner etiquette, so the timing is
serendipitous. She doesn’t usually let people in
midcourse, so I need you two to be on your best
behavior.”
“Why Rose?”
“This is a best friend kind of thing. You two’ll
have fun.”
I was pretty sure that Rose already had plans
for tonight, and it didn’t involve how to use spoons.
 CHAPTER 3

“
Y ou and Rose can come over tomorrow
afternoon to look at dresses while
Mikey’s takin’ a nap,” Violet said.
“Ashley will love every minute of it.”
“Okay.” I gave her a gentle hug. “You have no
idea how much I appreciate this, Vi.”
“It’s truly my pleasure, Neely Kate. I’m lookin’
forward to hearin’ all about the dinner.” She stood
up straight. “Now you get back to doin’ whatever
you were doin’ before I called.”
I headed out to the car and pulled out my phone
to see if I’d missed any messages. There was one
from Jed and a voice mail from the number I hadn’t
recognized.
 Jed’s text said: Are you free Friday night?
He didn’t usually ask so formally. The whole
thing felt off and made me even more anxious. Was
he breaking up with me? I switched to my voice
mail, and the blood rushed from my head as I
listened to the message.
“Ms. Rivers, I need to discuss an important
matter with you. It’s in your best interest to call me
back.”
I stared at my phone in horror, my imagination
instantly racing back to Ardmore and the man I’d
killed. When I’d gone back to Oklahoma in July,
Miss Zelda—the woman who’d taken me in and
cared for me years ago—had told me and Jed that a
man in a suit had shown up looking for me.
I quickly looked up the 469 area code and
swallowed hard when I saw it was from Dallas.
The high-profile business man I’d killed was
from Dallas.
I started to hyperventilate, and my fingers
fumbled with my phone as I called Jed.
“Hey,” he said in a sexy voice when he
answered, not even trying to sound that way on
purpose.
“Jed.” My voice broke and I gave myself a
mental shake. It wouldn’t help either of us if I lost
control.
He immediately went into no-nonsense mode.
“Neely Kate, what’s wrong? Where are you?”
“At the nursery,” I said, sounding far too
breathy. “I got a call.”
“A call from who?”
“I think they found me.”
He was quiet for half a second. “Are you okay
to drive or do you want me to come get you?”
Part of me wanted him to come get me. I was
scared witless, but the more helpless I acted around
him, the more I’d worry Jed was only hanging
around because he thought I couldn’t handle this
situation on my own.
I took a deep breath. “I can drive. The number
—”
“Tell me in person. Where’s Rose?”
“Uh… she spent the night with Skeeter and is
going straight to her two morning appointments.”
“Meet me at the landscaping office,” he said.
Then he hung up. I didn’t have to ask him how he’d
get in. We’d given him a key to the back door
months ago.
Maeve was staring out the nursery windows at
me, probably wondering why I was still there. I
forced a smile and waved my phone at her.
She grinned back, but her watchful gaze told me
that she didn’t quite believe my story. I wasn’t
surprised. Maeve was sharp as a tack.
I took slow deep breaths as I drove back
downtown, telling myself I was overreacting and
this was nothing to worry about. I’d almost made
myself believe it by the time I unlocked the office
door and found Jed sitting at the client table in the
back. A folding screen concealed it from passersby
on the sidewalk.
“Sorry to have called you in a panic,” I said as I
dumped my large purse on my desk. “I shouldn’t
have bothered you.”
He gave me an incredulous look. “Why would
you say that?”
“We don’t know that it means anything. It
might be a stupid telemarketer.”
“Let me be the judge of that. Play the
message.”
I sat at the table next to him and played the
message again, trying not to let him see my terror.
Listening to it again had erased my hope that it
might be meaningless. There was a bite to the
man’s tone, something that would keep a person
from getting hired at a phone bank.
“Maybe I should call him back,” I said when
the message finished.
“No,” Jed said in a dark tone. “Let me do some
digging first.”
“This has to do with him,” I said. “The man
I…”
“We don’t know that.”
“It’s a Dallas area code, Jed.” My hand started
shaking on the table, but before I could pull it back,
he covered it with his own.
“Neely Kate.”
I looked into his face, trying to get a grip. Jed
was such a handsome man, I couldn’t believe I
hadn’t noticed sooner than last winter. He was tall
with closely cropped brown hair, but long enough
for me to run my fingers through.
His dark eyes studied me in concern. “I need
you to trust me to handle this.”
“What are you going to do?”
“It depends on what I find. What do you have
planned for the rest of the day?”
“I have a landscaping appointment I’m about to
be late to, lunch with Rose, and then I have a thing
tonight.”
He caught my eye. “A thing?”
“An etiquette class. It’s important.”
I’d expected him to ask questions, but he
glossed over it like I’d announced I needed to pick
up bread from the store. Then again, he was used to
me saying and doing all kinds of zany things. He’d
told me he liked that I wasn’t like everyone else.
But the little self-doubting voice inside of me that
never knew when to shut up whispered, Maybe he’s
over it. Maybe he wishes you’d just be normal.
I forced a small grin. “We’ll talk about it later.
Then I’ll tell you why I’m goin’.”
“Okay, you go on about your day and let me
know if you run into any trouble. If this call has to
do with that…situation, I suspect they’re just taking
tentative steps. We still have some time.”
My stomach dropped to my toes. Jed thought it
was them too. He was just trying to protect me.
For the past few months, my half sister Kate
had been dropping hints that she knew what I’d
done in Ardmore. I would have blown it off, but
some of the people involved had admitted to talking
to her last fall. It wasn’t outside the realm of
possibility that she knew I’d murdered a man. And
it definitely wasn’t outside the realm of possibility
that she’d hand me on a silver platter to the people
looking for him. In fact, she’d threatened as much,
but not in so many words.
“Kate told them,” I said. “She does know.”
His hand squeezed around mine. “We don’t
know that, NK. I still think that Kate is mostly
bluffing.”
“Mostly means she’s got part of it right. Which
part?”
“I don’t know.”
We sat in silence as I mulled over my last three
trips to visit Kate in the psych ward. There was no
doubt she was mentally ill, but she was also
psychotic. She liked to toy with people, and I was
her current prey.
“Come here,” he said softly, tugging me from
my chair and hauling me onto his lap. He cupped
the side of my face and tilted it up to look into my
eyes. “I’ll take care of it, NK. Try not to worry.”
“But why should you have to?” And even more
importantly, why was I letting him? I was usually a
take-charge kind of gal. It stuck in my craw that I
was letting him take point, but I was also rational
enough to realize I wasn’t necessarily thinking
clearly right now and Jed always seemed to think
clearly. I couldn’t afford to screw up.
He started to say something, then stopped
himself. “Because I’m involved too.”
Not because he cared about me. Because he
was involved.
He gave me a soft kiss and pulled my cheek to
his chest, holding me close. I let myself savor his
touch before I pulled away.
“I have to go,” I said, sitting up. “I need to talk
to you about this weekend. I might need your help
with something.”
“Anything.”
“Good,” I said with a soft smile. “I’ll tell you all
about it later. If I start explainin’ now, I’ll definitely
be late for my meeting.”
He searched my face with a worried look. “Are
you okay, Neely Kate?”
“I’m fine.”
“I’d come with you or trail you, but I have
something I need to do.”
I started to ask him what it was, then stopped.
What with all the mystery meetings he had, I was
beginning to think he’d gone back to work for
Skeeter Malcolm. What would I do if he had? Was
it a deal-breaker?
Secrets and more secrets. I was sick to death of
them. Only one more reason to come clean with
Rose. That stupid phone call might have been the
tipping point.

R OSE and I had arranged to meet for lunch at a new

sandwich shop on the west side of town.
When I walked in, she was already sitting at a
table, tapping on her phone. She glanced up at me
and smiled. “Thanks for meeting with me. I know
you sometimes eat lunch with Jed.”
“I wanted to come. Besides, he’s busy today,” I
said.
She narrowed her eyes. “What’s goin’ on?”
“Nothin’. Let’s go up to the counter and order.”
She gave me an inquisitive look but followed.
We ordered our sandwiches and drinks, then sat
down.
She grinned. “I hear we have plans tonight.”
“Violet called you.”
“She did,” she said with a laugh. “She also said
we have a date with her closet tomorrow afternoon.
Joe asked you to attend a fundraiser dinner?”
“I was going to tell you at lunch,” I said
defensively. “I wasn’t keepin’ it from you.”
“I know you weren’t,” she said, her smile
fading. “And I’m excited for you, but I’m also
worried. The newspapers and press can be so cruel.
I just want you to be careful.”
“What’s there to be careful about?” I asked,
conveniently overlooking the murder I’d committed
and the fact that I’d been whored out for drugs and
money two times in my life—first by my mother
and then by my ex-boyfriend. All of those secrets
were locked up as tight as a steel drum, but maybe I
was foolish to think they’d stay that way. What
would I do if the press found out about any of it?
Or if Kate fed the information to them? Maybe this
was a bad idea after all.
An employee brought out our food, and as soon
as he walked away, Rose picked up her sandwich.
“We need to decide what to wear to this etiquette
class. I’d call Violet and ask her, but she’d hold it
over my head for years.” Her voice trailed off as
she realized what she’d said.
“I had a nice chat with her this morning,” I said,
trying to make it easier for her. “She took me out to
the greenhouse and started quizzing me about the
plants.”
Rose looked horrified. “She did what?”
I waved my hand. “She actually taught me quite
a few things.”
“What on earth was she up to?” I asked.
“I don’t know, but it was fun. Plus, she set up
the etiquette class, and she’s giving me a dress. It
sure beats shopping with Dena.”
“What? Why would you shop with Dena?”
I told her about my coffee date with Joe and
how Dena had crashed it.
“The nerve of her,” Rose said, getting angry. “I
never in a million years would have expected her to
behave this way. I encouraged him to go to the
carnival with her. Why is he puttin’ up with it?”
“I don’t know, but I told him I’m not goin’ to
the dinner if she goes. I’m not gonna spend all night
competing with her.”
“I don’t blame you one bit.” She paused,
looking worried. “I guess I need to ask someone
else to watch Muffy. I’d ask Maeve, but with
Mason back in town…”
Mason was Rose’s ex-boyfriend. He worked for
the attorney general’s office and had been sent to
Fenton County to wipe it clean of corruption.
Meaning Rose’s new boyfriend was his main target.
Worse, Mason had vowed to destroy anything, and
anyone, that got in his way.
Rose and Skeeter had bad timing, but at least
they were discreet. If I hadn’t already known about
them, and Rose and I hadn’t been living together, I
never would have guessed. She was careful not to
talk or text him during the day, and she usually
waited until later at night to go to his place. He’d
asked her to go to Shreveport this weekend, but she
wasn’t telling people she was leaving town and
neither was he. It wouldn’t be hard to hide—Rose
was a homebody when she wasn’t working—but
she was still paranoid Mason would put things
together.
“No, don’t ask Maeve,” I said. “I think Jed will
watch her.”
“Jed?”
“He already knew we were supposed to take
care of her and he likes her. I’m sure he’ll watch
her.” So long as his secret activities weren’t
keeping him busy…
I hesitated, then shot off the question I’d been
longing to ask her for days. “Do you know if Jed is
working for Skeeter?”
“What?”
“It’s just that Jed’s been kind of secretive the
last week or two, and he knows I don’t want him
going back to work for Skeeter. And with you two
goin’ out of town…”
She shook her head. “No. He’s got Reacher
takin’ over things while he’s gone. He’s worried he
can’t handle it, but James has some backups built in
if need be.”
“Is Jed one of them?” I pressed.
She gave me a sympathetic glance. “No. He
would have told me.”
My tension in my chest released and I felt like I
could breathe again. “Violet seemed a lot stronger
than she was two weeks ago.”
Rose smiled. “Yes, she does, thank goodness.
That’s the only reason I’m going out of town.”
“Are things still weird between you and Mike?”
Violet’s husband had turned against Rose, which
had hurt her something fierce, especially since
they’d been close for years.
“Yeah. But he’s never around when I’m there,
so I can’t help thinking he’s purposely avoiding
me.”
 “What if he’s not upset with you?” I said.
“What if he’s hidin’ something from you?”
“What in the world would he be hidin’?” she
asked in surprise.
“I don’t know, but it just seems odd that he’d
suddenly hate you. What if he has ties to the
criminal world?”
“Mike?” she asked in disbelief, then vigorously
shook her head. “No way. He’s as straight as they
come.”
Only there was a thread of doubt in her voice,
and I knew why. “Not so straight a few years ago
when he bribed an inspector.”
“What are you sayin’?”
“What if it wasn’t a one-time thing? What if
someone else besides J.R. Simmons knows?”
She stared at me with wide eyes, but my phone
rang before she could talk, and a surge of
adrenaline blocked out her words. I checked the
screen, not sure whether to be relieved when I saw
Jed’s name.
“I have to get this,” I murmured, trying to catch
my breath.
Rose had noticed my reaction and was
watching me with concern. “Of course.”
 “Hey, Jed,” I said as I answered. “I’m at lunch
with Rose.”
“Call me when you get free.”
I lowered my gaze to my plate, worried Rose
had already picked up on my fear. “That bad,
huh?”
“It’s gonna be okay, NK.”
I wished I could believe that.
 CHAPTER 4

“
I s everything all right?” Rose asked
when I hung up.
“Yeah.” My heart ached, but I wasn’t ready.
Not yet. “I’ll tell you everything soon,” I said. “I
promise.”
She held my gaze, her eyes full of love and
understanding. “You tell me when you’re ready. I
just hate not bein’ able to help. I know that was Jed.
He’s still there for you?”
“Yeah.” But for how much longer?
“As long as you have someone there supportin’
you, I’m good, but just know I won’t judge you,
Neely Kate. I’ll love you no matter what you’re
hidin’.”
 “I know. And that’s why I’m closer to tellin’
you.”
She nodded.
We finished our lunch and then walked outside,
stopping in front of her truck.
“Is your car still doin’ okay?” she asked.
“So far. Knock on wood,” I said, rapping on the
siding of the building.
Before I knew what she was doing, she pulled
me into a tight hug. “I don’t know if I tell you
enough how much I love and appreciate you.”
I squeezed her back. “I could say the same.”
She leaned back, staring into my eyes. “I miss
you.”
“I’m right here.”
“You’re here, but there’s still something
between us. Hurry up and fix what you need to fix
so you can come back to me.”
I bit my lower lip to keep myself from blurting
out everything. This wasn’t the time. And it
certainly wasn’t the place.
“Do you want to ride to the etiquette class
together?” I asked.
Her face flushed. “Since we don’t know how
long it’s gonna last, would you mind if we go in
separate cars?” Then she quickly added, “Are you
sure your car’s doin’ okay?”
“My car is fine, and I don’t mind.”
“But I’ll need to leave Muffy with you again,”
she said, sounding guilty. “I left her with you last
night.”
“I was alone last night, so I loved havin’ her
with me. And I’ll be alone tonight too, so no
worries.”
Her brow wrinkled. “Jed hasn’t been stayin’
with you?”
“Like I said, he’s been keepin’ busy.”
She looked even more concerned. “You’re sure
everything is okay?”
“Of course,” I lied. “I’ll meet you at home
later.”
I got back in my car and waved as I turned over
the engine. Somehow I managed to fake a smile,
but the look on Rose’s face told me she wasn’t
buying it. As soon as I pulled out, I quickly called
Jed.
“What did you find out?”
“The number belongs to a private detective
agency in Dallas.”
I forced myself to take a deep breath. “They
got my name from Kate.”
“Not necessarily,” he said calmly. “I think he’s
just fishin’.”
“Should I call him back?”
“No. I want to go to Little Rock. Can you get
away this afternoon?”
I glanced at the clock on my dashboard, which
surprisingly still worked. It was barely past twelve
thirty. I had a two o’clock appointment, but the
homeowner had been flexible. I was sure I could
reschedule. With a four-hour round trip, it was
possible. “I have to be back in Henryetta by seven
for my class.”
“We can be back by then. Where do you want
me to pick you up?”
“The farmhouse.”
“See you there.”
I hung up and then decided to call Rose. Maybe
I could ease my way into the truth, acclimating
myself to it like it was ice-cold water, rather than
jumping in.
“Miss me already?” she teased.
“Yeah,” I said with a nervous laugh. “I just
wanted you to know that Jed and I are makin’ a
quick run to Little Rock.”
 “Right now?”
“Yeah. I’ll be back in time for the etiquette
class,” I said. “We won’t be up there more than an
hour.”
“You’re gonna see Kate, aren’t you?”
“Yeah,” I said softly.
“Does Joe know?”
“No.”
“Maybe you should tell him.”
I dreaded that more than I dreaded telling Rose,
but the way things seemed to be spiraling out of
control, I suspected I would have to come clean
sooner rather than later. I needed to tell him before
I ended up arrested or dead. What would my sheriff
deputy brother think about what I’d done? “I will,
just not yet.”
“I’m gonna trust you on this, Neely Kate.”
“Thanks. I mean it, Rose. I’m close to tellin’
both y’all. Just not yet.”
“I hope you get the answers you need,” Rose
said. “Be safe.”

JED PULLED into the hospital parking lot shortly

before three. As he shifted the car into park, my
stomach tightened into a painful ball. Jed had
seemed distracted the whole drive and took a
couple of phone calls that he tried hard to hide
from me by using one-word answers—yes, no, uh-
huh. Part of me wanted to tell him if he was
planning to break up with me, to do it now instead
of waiting for tomorrow night, but I was too
chicken to do it. I’d fallen in love with Jed Carlisle
and I didn’t want to face the idea of cutting him out
of my life. I needed time to come to terms with the
possibility.
“I know these appointments keep getting harder
and harder,” Jed said, leaving the car running.
Appointments. That was a funny way of putting
it, but he was right about them getting harder. Kate
had lured me into our visits by saying she knew the
secrets of my past and that she had information
about my mother, who’d abandoned me at my
granny’s house when I was twelve. At each
appointment, she dangled vague information, but
she spent most of the time messing with my head or
trying to seduce Jed.
Jed took my hand. “You can do this.”
I gave a quick nod and snatched my hand from
his warm grasp. Not looking at him, I opened the
car door. We were wasting time.
I was already halfway across the parking lot
when he caught up to me, but he didn’t say a word
as he opened the door to the hospital. Just watched
me walk inside, then followed me to the elevator.
The silence sat between us as we rode up to the
psych inpatient floor, and it followed us to the back
entrance to the ward. The reason we were able to
visit like this, off the books, was because Skeeter
Malcolm had been keeping an eye on Kate too. I
wasn’t the only one who thought she might know
something. My first visit here had been at Skeeter’s
bidding. Kate had started sending me letters
alluding to my secrets and, swallowing my pride,
I’d asked him what he knew about her. He’d
insisted I visit her and bring Jed with me.
Something to do with his own interests. And so our
“appointments” had begun. Skeeter had a nurse on
his payroll who let us in the backdoor and kept us
off the log books. I’d been grateful for that,
thinking I could keep the visits from Joe, only he’d
found out anyway a couple of weeks ago. I
suspected Kate had told him just to mess with me.
Jed sent a text, and less than thirty seconds
later, the nurse, Candice, let us in.
“You were just here on Sunday,” she said. “This
is unusual.”
Jed usually made small talk with her,
presumably to keep on her good side, but today he
remained silent. She quickly picked up that he
wasn’t going to answer.
“It was short notice today, so I can’t have you
meet with her in the usual office. We’ll have to use
an empty patient room.”
“That’s fine,” Jed said, his voice tight. “Thank
you.”
Jed was nervous. My pulse picked up and I
tried to control my breathing. I needed to get
myself together before I saw Kate. She could smell
fear from a mile away.
Candice led us down a long hall to a room at
the end. Inserting a key, she said, “The a/c in this
room isn’t working right. Maintenance is scheduled
to come work on it tomorrow, so you’ll be
undisturbed. Text me when you’re done.”
Then she pushed open the door and let us in.
The room had a single cot for a bed with a desk
and a chair overlooking the street. Sure enough, I
broke into a sweat seconds after walking into the
room. Of course, my nerves might have had
something to do with it. It seemed silly given
everything else we were dealing with, but I couldn’t
figure out where to sit. Jed always started off by
standing, but Kate often forced him to sit. If I took
the chair, she might make him sit on the bed and
insist on sitting beside him. I wasn’t sure I could
deal with that.
“Sit in the chair,” I said, plopping down on the
mattress.
He started to protest, but he must have put
things together because he pulled out the desk chair
and sat, turning to face me.
“You can do this, NK,” he said in a fierce voice.
“You’re one badass woman. Kate is nothing.”
My gaze found his. “She could hold my entire
future in her hands, Jed.”
“Then we’re getting what we need from her this
time.” The stone-cold look in his eyes told me he
didn’t intend to play around.
I started to ask him what he planned to do, but
the door opened before I could get the words out.
My sister’s dark hair had grown out past her
shoulders, and the stripes in her hair were a vibrant
blue. Did they have hair dressers here, or was she
bribing someone else for favors? She wore a simple
dress today, which was a departure from her usual
yoga pants and T-shirt.
“Change of scenery?” She hung on to the door
knob and leaned against the doorframe. “I like it.
More intimate.”
“Don’t read anything into it, Kate,” I said in a
deadpan voice. “It’s the only available space on
short notice.”
She walked the rest of the way in and shut the
door, her eyes on Jed. “You’re lookin’ mighty fine,
handsome.”
He didn’t respond, but I almost wished he had
because she would now go to great lengths to get
him to talk to her.
“I’m done playin’ games, Kate,” I said in a firm
tone. “I’ve done everything you asked for. We’ve
painted each other’s nails. I’ve brought you gossip
magazines. I even brought you a burner phone. All
of that, and you’ve told me next to nothing about
my mother or what you claim to know about what I
supposedly did in Ardmore. Unless you can give me
some compelling reason to come back, this is my
last visit.”
She gave me an exaggerated pout, then sat
down next to me, patting my leg. “Now, Neely
Kate,” she said in a placating tone. “No need to get
into a snit.”
“A snit?” I asked, telling myself I could not lose
my cool. “Call it whatever you like, Kate, but I’m
done playing games and I want some straight
answers. I need to know everything my mother said
when you met with her.”
A broad grin spread across her face. “That’ll
cost you, sister mine.”
“I’ve paid my dues, Kate. Several times over.
I’m done. Either answer my questions or I’m
leaving, and this time I won’t be coming back.”
Her eyes twinkled. “I’ll tell the police what I
know. I’ll tell Joe.” Her eyebrows waggled.
“Go ahead.”
She looked taken back. “You don’t mean that.”
I stood. “I do. If you knew anything important,
you’d have told me more than the few tidbits
you’ve parceled out over the past few weeks. You
have ten seconds to tell me something substantial or
I’m gone.”
Her grin fell away, and she stared up at me.
“Why, you’re finally acting like a Simmons instead
of a Rivers. Set your ass down and I’ll answer five
questions.”
“No. All of my questions.”
She stuck out her bottom lip in a fake pout. “I
love our weekly chats. I can’t tell you everything.”
I put a hand on my hip. “Have you ever
considered that I might actually want to come visit
if you were nice?”
She laughed. “Not a chance. I killed Hilary, and
consequently Joe’s child, although between you,
me, and handsome over there”—she gestured to
Jed—“he’s better off without her. Too bad I can’t
save him from his own taste in women. Rumor has
it he’s datin’ someone nearly as bad.”
I found it difficult to keep from agreeing with
her, and once again, I wondered who was feeding
her information.
“And then I tried to kill your bestie.” She
waved her hand dismissively. “And a whole lot of
other dastardly things the authorities know about
and quite a few they don’t.” She winked at Jed.
“Including the Murray portfolio and a few other
things my father had his hands in.” She gave me a
taunting look. “So no, I don’t think you’ll come
visit me.”
“You seem to think I’ve done something bad.
Wouldn’t that make us alike?”
She held up a finger and waved it at me. “I’m
on to you, girl. Tryin’ to trick me into tellin’ you
what I know.”
“Just spill it, Kate,” I said with a sigh. “For
once in this screwed-up relationship, tell me the
unvarnished truth.”
The expression on her face changed to shock.
“You think we have a relationship?”
I hadn’t meant it like that, and I wasn’t sure if
she was pissed or happy. “We’re sisters, like it or
not. Sure, you’re screwed up, but so am I, and I’ve
always wanted a sister. So yeah,” I said, “call me
stupid, but there’s something deep down inside me
that still hopes that we’ll actually have a
relationship, but I swear on our father’s grave, if
you don’t answer my questions now, I’ll walk away
and never come back.”
After five seconds of silence, I turned to walk
toward the door.
“I met her,” she said so quietly I almost missed
it.
My heart pounded in my chest. My mother was
alive. I slowly turned back to face her, maintaining
my poker face. “Where did you see her?”
 “Like I told you, West Virginia.” Some of her
sass returned. “She ain’t lookin’ so good, Sis. Good
thing you take after the Simmonses.”
She’d told me something similar before. “Did
she know why you were lookin’ for her?”
Her eyes lit up with mischief. “You mean did
she ask about you?”
I didn’t answer.
“Yeah, she knew why I was there. I told her
who I was and that freaked her out. She was
terrified of our daddy.” She chuckled. “She thought
I was there to stir up trouble for her, but I assured
her I was there to stir up trouble for you.” Her grin
spread.
“What did she say to that?” I asked, unable to
stop myself.
Kate cocked her head, turning serious. “Why
do you want that piece of white trash to love you so
badly?”
I opened my mouth, then closed it. I wasn’t
about to give my sister any more ammunition to use
against me. “Did she want to know anything about
me?”
“She wanted to know if you knew the truth. I
got the distinct impression she was under the
delusion that if you knew and survived, you’d fall
into our family’s financial fold. I assured her you
were none the wiser, and she was quite
disappointed. She didn’t ask anything more about
you. You were barely a passing thought…quickly
forgotten.”
That struck deep, and while she could have
been lying, I knew better.
Jed gave me a look that suggested this was not
the purpose for our visit. He was right.
“How did you find out about Beasley?” I asked
in a firm tone. Beasley had been my boyfriend’s
brother, but boyfriend was too generous of a word
for Branson. Sure, he’d started out that way, but
he’d soon turned into my captor, my pimp. He’d
locked me in my room for days on end, and
threatened to hurt my surrogate grandmother, Miss
Zelda, if I didn’t do exactly what—and who—he
said.
It was Branson’s doing that I’d become a killer.
He’d found a loaded john from Dallas who was
willing to pay a lot of money to use me for
whatever he wanted. No limits. When I refused to
sign a waiver, Branson said I’d do it anyway. He
dragged me to an abandoned house and left me
with the guy and a video camera. After the man’s
first round of abuse and rape, I roused enough to
grab his neck tie and strangle him. Beasley, who’d
known this was happening, had felt guilty enough
to come help me—only to find me standing over
the dead guy’s body. I was confused and upset.
Beasley was drunk and convinced me to bury the
body. Afterward, he took the blame for me after I
ran into a mailbox and he was arrested for a DUI.
He went to prison and Branson took off.
Kate gave me a knowing grin and shook her
head. “Only one trip down memory lane today.”
Then, before I realized what she was doing, she
snatched my purse and began to dig through it.
“What did you bring me today?”
“Nothing. Did you go to Ardmore?”
“There’s not much in that town,” she said,
pulling out a package of breath mints, then opening
it. She popped one into her mouth. “I can see why
you got out of there as quickly as you did…but
what happened at the end probably had something
to do with it.”
More general clues that meant absolutely
nothing. Which left me with the question I’d been
asking myself for weeks. How much did Kate
actually know?
She was the one who’d told me about Beasley’s
release, so she knew he’d gone to jail. I suspected
she knew I’d danced on the pole, but she’d never
acknowledged it. She might know I’d had an
abortion a month or so before I left Ardmore. She
might also have found out that Branson had videos
of my encounters with all the men he’d forced on
me, but she didn’t have the tape that the guy from
Dallas had recorded. That was currently in a safe-
deposit box in the Henryetta Bank.
My life was on the line and she was playing
with me like I was a Sims character. The anger that
had built up inside me over the last months ignited.
I was done. Maybe it was time to turn the
tables.
I gave her a haughty look, and said with a hint
of defiance, “Our father had a thing for teenage
girls.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “So?”
“My mother. Hilary. They couldn’t have been
the only ones he molested.” I kept my gazed pinned
on her, hoping she got my message. I felt like a
bitch sinking to her level, but if I had to jump back
in the gutter, so be it. I probably belonged here
anyway.
Her nostrils flared, and she looked a little
shaken. “So?”
“That might explain a few things,” I said with a
toss of my head. I couldn’t believe I’d sunk this
low, a true sign of how desperate I was. But was I
willing to sell my soul to get those answers? Was it
too late to be asking that question?
She stood and pointed her finger at me, her face
turning red. “Stay out of my life, Neely Kate!”
“What?” I asked, lifting my eyebrows and
trying to sound innocent. “You mean like you’re
staying out of mine?”
Her chest heaved.
“Daddy dearest had a thing for young girls.” I
flicked the ends of her hair. “And he had a pretty
little thing sleeping under the same roof. Why not?”
Kate sucked in a breath, then slapped my cheek
so hard my ears rung.
Jed was instantly out of his seat, but I held up
my hand.
“You had a boyfriend in Little Rock,” I said,
pretending she hadn’t just slapped me. “Nick,
right?”
The color left her face.
 “Too bad our father didn’t approve of him.”
She recovered slightly and took a few steps
away from me. “Don’t you talk about him!”
“What?” I asked in a sweet tone as I pressed a
hand to my chest. “You don’t like this trip down
memory lane? I found out something about Nick
that might interest you. Maybe if you’re a good girl,
I’ll tell you next time.”
She lost so much color I was worried she’d pass
out.
I was becoming the monster she was, but then
maybe it had been there all along, lurking in my
DNA. Maybe I was more of a Simmons than I
thought.
Had I really sunk this low?
Don’t back down, Neely Kate. Your life
depends on this. “Something about a jewelry store
and a ring. I think it was with him when the police
found his body outside that bar. A bullet in the
head, right?”
“There wasn’t a ring,” she said with tears
streaming down her face. “His parents would have
told me. All of his possessions were returned to
them.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
 Kate fell onto the bed and broke into sobs.
I shot a glance to Jed, who was standing next to
the chair with a completely blank expression. He
saw the horror in my eyes and gave me a nod.
Go for the kill.
“How does it feel?” I asked in a cold voice as I
stood over her. “How does it feel to be manipulated
and have your past used against you?”
She looked up at me with a tear-streaked face.
“Where is the ring? Did my father take it?”
I was no better than she was.
I shot another glance to Jed, and the sympathy
in his eyes was my undoing. He knew how much
this cost me, and I couldn’t do it anymore.
I sat down next to her and put a tentative hand
on her shoulder. “There wasn’t a ring, Kate. I’m
sorry. I just wanted you to see what it feels like.”
Her face lifted and a grin spread across her face
as she sat up. “You need to work on the follow-
through, Sis, but with a little bit of work, you could
be just as devious as me.”
What had just happened? Had she really
recovered so quickly, or had she been playing me
all along?
I stood and sucked in a breath. “I need to know
what you know, Kate.”
Her eyes twinkled. “You’ll find out more next
time.”
I slowly shook my head. “No, I meant what I
said. There won’t be a next time. I can’t do this
anymore.” I started for the door.
Jed got up to follow me.
Kate shot off the bed, but rather than stop me,
she blocked Jed’s path. “What about you,
handsome? Don’t you want to know the PIN for
the Murray account?”
Jed stared down at her with dark eyes.
“I’ll give it to you today. I promise.” She
glanced over at me with her mischievous grin. “But
it comes with a price.”
I shook my head. “Whatever the cost, I want no
part of it.” Then I opened the door. “Goodbye,
Kate.”
I walked into the hallway and waited for several
seconds, expecting Jed to join me, but it soon
became clear he wasn’t coming. He was
negotiating.
Given her constant attempts to seduce him, I
could only imagine what she had in mind. I didn’t
think he’d fall for it, but I wasn’t going to wait
around while she tried. I headed for the door we’d
used to enter the ward, then made my way to the
elevator. When Jed didn’t join me, I went to the
lobby and waited in the waiting room.
Fifteen minutes later, Jed found me, looking
slightly disheveled.
I stood and looked up at him. “Did you get
what you needed?”
His left eye twitched, but other than that, he
had no facial expression. “Yes.”
“I meant it, Jed. I’m never comin’ back.”
“I know.” He spun around and headed for the
entrance, leaving me to follow.
 CHAPTER 5

J ed was unusually tense and remained

quiet as he drove to the highway. After
we’d been on the road for ten minutes,
I finally broke down and questioned him.
“What did she want?” I asked.
His jaw clenched. “The same as usual.”
“For you to sleep with her?”
He gave a slight nod, keeping his gaze on the
road.
After several seconds, I asked, “So how did you
get the information you needed if you didn’t sleep
with her?”
He didn’t respond at first, then said, “She
doesn’t know you killed Pearce Manchester. She
thinks Beasley did it and you were an accessory.
According to her, she didn’t notify anyone about
her theories. She has no idea a PI is investigating
you.”
My mouth dropped open in shock. “How did
you get her to tell you all of that?”
His hands tightened around the steering wheel,
and he looked so tense that he would explode if I
touched him.
“What did you do, Jed?” I asked in a whisper.
He swallowed. “The less you know, the better.”
A fire ignited in my gut. “That’s not gonna fly
with me.”
He remained stubbornly silent.
“Jed!”
He turned to look at me, completely
expressionless. “Do you trust me?”
Fear mixed with the anger. “What did you do?”
“Do you trust me?”
Did I trust him? I trusted that he would do
everything in his power to help me.
But did that include sleeping with Kate?
There was so much going on between us right
now, I wasn’t sure. I wanted to say he wouldn’t,
and most of me was positive of it, but this was a
man who’d dug up the dead body of the man I’d
killed, dug another grave, and then burned the body
to make certain no one would find a scrap of my
DNA on him. Jed had proven he’d go to great
lengths to protect me, but did that extend to
sleeping with Kate? He hadn’t had sex in at least a
month.
Doubts slipped into my mind, curling in on me
like wisps of smoke—You’re not pretty enough for
him… You’re just a charity case he’s tired of. The
rational part of me didn’t believe it, but the
damaged parts of me latched on to the familiar digs
like they were lifelines in a turbulent sea.
“Neely Kate,” he said in a pleading tone.
“Please.”
This was the first sign of emotion I’d seen from
him all day and my heart broke. “Of course I trust
you, Jed.”
Relief relaxed his features, but I felt numb.
What had Jed done?
The rest of the two-hour drive was tense and
silent, each of us lost in our own thoughts. When
we were about five minutes from the farm, I asked,
“What am I going to do about the private
investigator?”
 “I’ve been thinking about it. The number is to a
PI office, but the guy didn’t identify himself. He
was trying to intimidate you, which makes it
surprising he didn’t leave his name and his agency
to make his inquiry sound more official.”
“You don’t think he’s a PI?”
“I don’t know. Just don’t return the call and
don’t answer if he calls back. I’m still trying to
figure out how to deal with it.”
“Shouldn’t we deal with it together?”
He was silent for several seconds, then grabbed
my hand and squeezed. “We will. Give me some
time to mull it over.”
Jed was typically a man of action and few
words. After seeing so much of him the last month,
I’d realized that these still waters ran deep. He was
capable of split-second decisions, but he preferred
to let them sit. Ordinarily, I found it to be an
admirable trait, but it was frustrating in this
particular situation, particularly since it was my
problem.
He pulled onto the tree-lined drive leading to
the farmhouse. It was shortly after six, and Rose’s
truck was parked out front.
Jed turned to me with a grin, but it was obvious
he was putting some effort into it. “An etiquette
class, huh?”
I gave him a sly smile. “I need to be highbrow
for my date Saturday night.”
His brow lifted slightly. “Date?”
I could have played him, but after this
afternoon, I wasn’t feeling very playful. “Joe asked
me to go to a fundraiser dinner in Little Rock on
Saturday night—which reminds me, can you take
care of Muffy for Rose? Joe wants to spend the
night in Little Rock.”
“Yeah,” he said, looking uncomfortable.
“Sure.”
“What?”
“Nothing.” He smiled. “That’s big, huh? He’s
willing to make you public.”
“Yeah.” I tilted my head as I stared at him.
“Does it bother you that we haven’t gone public?”
He took my hand and interlaced our fingers.
“While I’d love nothing more than to proudly
declare you as my girlfriend, we’re on the same
page about keepin’ it quiet. I’m workin’ on
becomin’ legit. I just need more time.”
I resisted the urge to sigh. I only wished he
would tell me what he was working on, but every
time I asked, he declared it a surprise. I knew better
than to press him.
His thumb began to brush the back of my hand.
“I know I’m askin’ a lot of you, NK, but trust me
on this too.”
How many people had I trusted in my life only
to be hurt? I was pinning a lot of faith on this man,
but in my heart, I know I’d chosen well. Jed
Carlisle was an honorable man. “Okay.”
He leaned over and gave me a soft kiss. “Are
we still on for tomorrow night?”
I smiled. “Yeah.”
“Dress up. I’m takin’ you to a special dinner.”
My eyes widened. “Are we headin’ up to
Magnolia?”
“Some place better. Pick you up at eight?”
“That late?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay.”
He gave me another tender kiss. Then I got out
and went inside, giving him one last wave before I
shut the door behind me.
“Neely Kate?” Rose called from the back of the
house.
I followed her voice and my nose to the
kitchen. “Something smells delicious.”
“I made chicken enchiladas.” She was pulling
something out of the oven. “Are you hungry?” she
asked as she set the casserole dish on top of the
stove burners. The table was already set with two
plates, glasses, and silverware.
“A little. I suppose I need to go upstairs and
figure out what to wear tonight.”
She gave me a look of surprise. “I figured you’d
already know since you’ve had hours to mull it
over.”
I gave a tiny shrug, feeling like I was about to
burst into tears.
She took off the oven mitts, then closed the
distance between us, pulling me into a tight hug.
“Bad afternoon?”
“It’s never a good one when it involves Kate
Simmons.”
“I’ll give you that,” she said.
“I found out a bit more about my momma.”
Rose leaned back and grabbed my upper arms
as she searched my face. “You’re kiddin’.”
I shook my head as a single tear fell down my
cheek. I’d let myself ponder all the Ardmore stuff
during the drive, but I’d kept my mother on the
back burner. This was one thing I could share with
Rose, not to mention it was easier to discuss it with
her than Jed.
“What did she tell you?”
“Not much,” I said, swiping the tear away as I
pulled free and walked to the refrigerator to get the
pitcher of lemonade. I wouldn’t be able to tell her
this face-to-face. “I knew most of it already. Kate
found her in West Virginia. She was scared when
she realized Kate was a Simmons. She wanted to
know if I knew the truth, and when Kate told her
no, she didn’t ask her anything else. She was only
interested in me if I got part of the Simmons
money.”
“Kate could be lying.”
I shut the fridge door. “We both know she’s
not.”
Rose carried the casserole dish to the table.
“Pardon my language, but your momma is a
jackass.”
My gaze jerked to her in surprise—Rose’s usual
idea of a swear was “crappy doodles”—and I
started giggling.
“Well, she is,” she said with plenty of
conviction. “She doesn’t deserve someone as
amazing as you.” She walked over to the freezer to
get the ice tray.
“You’re gonna give me a swelled head.”
“Gonna?” she teased. “I thought you already
had one.” She filled the glasses with ice, and I
poured the lemonade.
She held up her glass to me. “To making our
own family and surrounding ourselves with people
who love and care about us.”
The words could have sounded maudlin if she’d
said them in a different tone, but she was glowing.
I clicked my glass with hers and I realized this
was much more of a home than what I’d had with
Ronnie. I felt like I’d been playing dress-up when I
was married to him. “I’ll drink to that.”
We both took a sip and then I lowered my glass.
“He makes you happy.”
She gave me a startled look. “What?”
“Skeeter. He makes you happy.”
She flushed and gave me a grin, then took the
ice container back to the freezer. “Don’t worry,
Neely Kate. I know this is only a fling. My eyes are
wide open. Yeah, I really care about him and he
cares about me, but we both know it won’t last.”
She’d expected me to give her a lecture, and I
understood why. I’d been adamantly opposed to her
starting something with Skeeter Malcolm for a
whole variety of reasons, but first and foremost, I
knew in my gut that man would break her heart.
She’d suffered enough heartbreak to fill a lifetime,
and it was hard to watch her willingly walk into
another one. But she was a grown woman, capable
of making her own decisions. I’d said my piece—
several times, in fact—and I truly believed she’d
weighed her options before taking up with Skeeter.
And I had to admit that he was a different man
when he was around her. Still, if and when he broke
her heart, I’d not only be there to pick up the
pieces; I’d hand his castrated balls to her on a silver
platter.
Maybe I’d learn how to properly serve them in
our etiquette class.
But for now my best friend looked happier than
I’d seen her in months. We’d had few causes to
celebrate, but I’d happily toast to that.

W E PULLED up in front of Miss Mary Ellen’s house

right at seven. Since Rose was leaving town
tomorrow afternoon, she wasn’t planning on
spending the night with Skeeter, but she’d packed
up leftovers for him and then spent a lot of time on
her appearance. We were perfectly on time, which
meant we were running late.
“Violet’s not gonna be happy,” I said, my words
tight with anxiety. “She said not to be late. She said
to be five minutes early.”
“We’re not late,” Rose said with a wave of her
hand. “We’re fine.”
I frowned. I was pretty certain Miss Mary Ellen
wouldn’t see it that way.
Miss Mary Ellen Evanston lived in a blue,
white-trimmed Victorian house close to the town
square. It was old as the hills, which meant it had
been built in the early 1900s.
We walked up the steps to a wraparound porch
filled with pristine white wicker furniture that likely
hadn’t seen a single posterior. I knocked on the
front door while Rose was busy looking at the
potted plants next to the door.
“That fern is root-bound.”
“What?” I asked absently, peering through the
large oval window in the door.
“It needs a bigger pot.”
 I gave her a look that suggested now was not
the time, and when I turned back, a middle-aged
woman opened the door with a disapproving frown.
She was dressed in a loud pink, green, and white
Lilly Pulitzer dress, and her shoulder-length blond
hair was in loose curls.
“May I help you?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said. “I’m Neely Kate Rivers
and this is Rose Gardner. Violet Beauregard called
to sign us up for your class tonight.”
Her mouth puckered like she’d taken a big bite
out of a grapefruit. “You’re late.”
Rose looked at her phone, then said, “We were
told the class starts at seven. It’s exactly seven.”
Miss Mary Ellen did not look amused. “It’s
seven-oh-one, and I have half a mind to send you
on your way.”
I shot Rose a warning look, then gave Miss
Mary Ellen a sweet one. “We’re so, so sorry, Miss
Mary Ellen. It won’t happen again.”
“You’re correct—it won’t happen again
because you are not my students.”
“Please, Miss Mary Ellen,” I said. “I really
need this class.”
She started to close the door when Rose said,
“Isn’t gardening part of being a refined Southern
woman?”
“Maybe fifty years ago,” Miss Mary Ellen said
with a sniff, “but not for sophisticated, modern
women.”
Rose gave her an innocent look. “Then you
won’t mind me mentioning your root-bound ferns
to the Henryetta Garden Club members. And don’t
get me started on your overpruned rose bushes.”
Well played, Rose.
Acceptance by the Henryetta Garden Club was
highly competitive for women of society in
Henryetta. Of course, our town’s high society was
to real aristocracy what Walmart was to upscale
shopping, but it didn’t matter. The garden club
members were as fierce as barracudas, and,
strangely enough, the members were all expected to
have real gardening skills.
Miss Mary Ellen’s mouth formed an “o” and
she backed up and made a sweeping gesture.
“Welcome to Miss Mary Ellen’s School of
Etiquette.”
Rose flashed me a grin, and we followed her
inside.
Miss Mary Ellen led us through a two-story
foyer with a large wooden staircase, into a dining
room with a table that seated twelve. It was full but
for two empty seats at the far end of the table and
one at the head of the table. Each place setting
featured a wide array of silverware, stacked plates,
and multiple wine glasses. I was overwhelmed just
looking at it.
“Ladies,” Miss Mary Ellen said in a formal
tone. “May I introduce Mrs. Neely Kate Colson
and her friend, Miss Rose Gardner.”
I cringed—for one, she’d called me Mrs., and
two, she’d used my married name, and three, eight
teenage girls were staring at us along with a woman
who looked like she was barely out of high school.
The girls were dressed in nice clothing, but the
woman was wearing a silver sequined dress with a
gaudy rhinestone necklace, topped off with a pink
feathered boa.
“Hello,” Rose said to the group, then froze
when she got a good look at the participants. She
turned to Miss Mary Ellen. “Uh… I think there’s
been a mistake.”
“I don’t make mistakes,” Miss Mary Ellen said.
“You two may sit there at the end.” She gestured to
the two empty seats as she took her own chair at
the opposite end.
Once we were seated, she said, “Since our new
participants missed the first two lessons, we’ll
reintroduce ourselves. Remember that the way you
introduce yourself forms a person’s first impression
of you. You want to include just enough
information to make yourself interesting but not so
much as to come across as narcissistic.” She gave
us a broad smile and turned to the girl next to her.
“Hello.” She offered the girl her hand. “I’m Miss
Mary Ellen Evanston. I was born in Baton Rouge
and began teaching young girls how to become
genteel Southern women soon after I graduated
from LSU.”
“Then what are you doin’ here?” asked the
woman with the boa in a thick Southern accent.
Miss Mary Ellen’s brow rose so gently it looked
like her eyebrows had been lifted with marionette
strings. “Teaching girls to become well-mannered
young ladies.”
“But why Henryetta?”
Miss Mary’s Ellen’s upper lip began to twitch.
“It is impolite to ask such personal questions.”
“That’s not what you said in our first class,”
said the girl next to me, looking up from her phone.
“You said it was good to ask the person you were
introduced to questions about where they’re from.”
“I heard that she embezzled money from her
boss and she’s hidin’ out from the law,” another girl
said. “My daddy says there’s so much corruption in
Fenton County it draws criminals like dung beetles
to a pile of poo.”
Our instructor looked so taken aback, she didn’t
know which comment to address first. After a few
seconds, she said in a tone with a hint of bite,
“Amanda, we do not discuss bodily secretions at
the table.”
“I didn’t,” Amanda said defensively. She
looked like she was thirteen or fourteen. “I was
talking about criminals.”
The girl next to me glanced up from her phone
again. She looked a couple of years older and a
whole lot bitchier. “You said poo. Apparently Miss
Mary Ellen finds that offensive.”
Then she returned to tapping on her screen.
Miss Mary Ellen straightened her back, which
seemed like an impossible task given her back was
already ramrod stiff. “Darcy, what have I said
about electronic devices? It’s even more important
at the dinner table. Being on your phone suggests
you’re bored with the dinner conversation, which is
extremely rude to your host.”
Darcy shot our instructor a sharp look before
pointedly returning her gaze to her phone.
Miss Mary Ellen scowled, then seemed to
realize she was creating wrinkles. She quickly
stopped and lightly patted her forehead as though
to undo the damage. When she dropped her hand,
she said in a firm tone, “Any mention of bodily
functions is impolite, regardless of the terms used.
In fact, this is a good time to point out that when
you are at a meal, you do not need to announce you
are going to pee, to whiz, or to take a dump. You
should not identify any of the things a person might
void in the restroom. You simply say excuse me, get
up, take care of your business, then return to your
seat. No report of what happened in the washroom
is necessary.”
“Excuse me,” Darcy said with a mischievous
grin, then stood.
“Get back in your seat, Darcy Wiggins!” Miss
Mary Ellen barked and everyone jumped.
I quickly grabbed my sparkly gold notebook
and matching pen out of my bag and jotted down
my first note.
 Don’t talk about poop at the table.
Everyone was quiet, and when I glanced up to
see why, every pair of eyes was on me. Even Darcy
had her eyes on me, and the way her phone was
raised, her finger hovering over the screen, implied
she’d stopped midtext.
“I don’t want to forget anything,” I said with a
sheepish look.
Approval filled Miss Mary Ellen’s eyes. “At
least someone is takin’ this seriously.”
“I’m takin’ it seriously,” Darcy said, putting her
phone in her lap. “My daddy’s buyin’ me a
Volkswagen convertible if I finish this class.”
“Your daddy wanted you to take the class?”
one of the other girls asked in disbelief.
“No,” Darcy said. “My momma did, but we
argued about it so much that Daddy said if I took
the class and finished to Momma’s satisfaction,
he’d buy me my car to get us both to shut up.”
A few of the girls nodded or studied Darcy with
new appreciation, but Amanda frowned her
disapproval. “I’m takin’ Miss Mary Ellen’s class to
become a better person.”
The girls weren’t sure how to respond to that.
“Brownnoser,” the woman across from me said
under her breath.
“Well,” Rose said, forcing cheeriness into her
voice. “No matter what our reasons for bein’ here,
we can all learn good table manners, isn’t that right,
Neely Kate?”
I nodded. “That’s right, Rose.”
Everyone was silent for a moment. Then Miss
Mary Ellen stood. “Let’s begin our lesson. Rule one
of table manners is no phones at the table.” She
walked around the table and stopped next to
Darcy’s chair.
Darcy was so absorbed in her phone she didn’t
notice the instructor’s stealthy approach until Miss
Mary Ellen cleared her throat and held out her
hand.
“You don’t expect me to give you my phone, do
you?” Darcy asked with plenty of attitude.
Miss Mary Ellen snatched the phone from her
hand, then tucked it into the side pocket of her
dress. “I think that answers your question.”
“You can’t take that!” Darcy protested.
“You can send your amusing tweedles after
class.”
“Tweets!” Darcy said in a snit. “And it was
Snapchat.”
 Miss Mary Ellen returned to her place at the
head of the table. “Social media has no place in
etiquette.” Then a sly grin lit up her eyes. “And you
did say you had to complete this class to your
mother’s satisfaction to get your car.” She batted
her eyelashes.
Score one for Miss Mary Ellen.
The woman across from me narrowed her eyes.
“Say, I’ve seen you two before.”
“Us?” I asked in surprise. She didn’t look
familiar, but then I’d met a lot of people through
my job at Rose’s landscaping business. We’d
encountered even more in our side work as amateur
private investigators, although we hadn’t had a case
since our last investigation two weeks ago, which
had ended in disaster.
“Yeah, I’m just tryin’ to figure out where.”
Rose gave her a blank look. Obviously she
didn’t recognize her either.
“Where do you work, Tina?” Darcy asked.
“Maybe you met them there.”
Tina gave a tiny shrug. “I doubt it.”
“Tina, how old are you?” asked one of the other
girls.
Miss Mary Ellen shook as though she’d been
electrocuted. “Girls! We never ask a lady her age.”
“Oh, I don’t mind answering,” Tina said with a
grin that turned wicked. “I’m old enough to be
legal, and that’s all you need to know.” She winked
as she placed her elbows on the table and leaned
forward. “I’m here to grow professionally.”
“Elbows off the table,” our mentor said.
“Ladies keep their elbows at their sides, not all
akimbo, and definitely not on the table.”
I wrote elbows at sides, not akimbo.
Darcy rephrased her question. “What
profession are you in?”
“I’m a stripper. I work at the Bunny Ranch
south of town, but I do a little entertaining on the
side. That’s why I’m here… to see if there’s any
truth to the saying men want a lady at the table and
freak in the stable.”
Miss Mary Ellen looked like she was about to
pass out.
Darcy burst out laughing. “That’s not the
saying.”
Tina’s head jutted back, and she shot Darcy a
glare. “And how would you know? You’re not a
woman of experience like I am.” Then she
shrugged. “Considerin’ what all y’all do nowadays,
maybe you are.”
Darcy sat up straighter and a grin tipped up the
corners of her mouth.
“It’s a lady in the streets and a freak in the
sheets,” said one girl who had up until now been
quiet, barely glancing up. “That’s the sayin’.”
“Well, I like mine better,” Tina said, bobbing
her head back and forth.
Miss Mary Ellen’s face had gone a deathly pale,
and she placed a hand on her stomach as she took a
deep breath. “That’s quite enough of that. Mrs.
Colson, please enlighten us as to why you’re here
under such emergent conditions.”
“I prefer Rivers… Neely Kate Rivers. And I’m
here because I need to be ready for a high society
dinner on Saturday night.”
“High society?” Miss Mary Ellen asked.
“High society,” Tina said, pointing to me and
Rose. “Have you two ever been to the Bunny
Ranch with high rollers?”
Rose’s eyes grew wide. “Uh… no.”
Skeeter Malcolm owned the Bunny Ranch, and
Jed used to run it. My cousin Dolly Parton had
worked there, but I’d never been there, and as far
as I knew, Rose had never been there either.
 “No,” I said, “we haven’t.” Then I hastily
added, “not that I’m knockin’ your profession. You
might know my cousin—her real name’s Dolly
Parton Parker. She danced at the Bunny Ranch
before she turned traitor and danced at Gems.”
“Such crass talk,” Miss Mary Ellen said in an
uppity tone.
“Oh, I know how you know her,” Darcy said.
“That one is Rose Gardner and she killed that
important business man. J.P. Simpson.”
Rose’s expression dropped. Of course, Rose
hadn’t killed him at all—my brother had—but
pointing that out would do little to divert their
attention from us.
One of the girls slightly raised her hand. “Uh…
I think his name was J.R. Simmons.”
“So she’s a murderer?” another asked, but
instead of acting horrified, she seemed excited.
“And I was sure this was gonna be boring as hell.”
“Language,” Miss Mary Ellen said, giving the
girl the evil eye.
“Nope,” Tina said, tapping her chin. “That’s not
it.”
“Why don’t we move along, shall we?” Miss
Mary Ellen said.
 “Good idea,” I said, forcing myself to relax.
“My daddy says all of the criminals in this
county are going to the state pen,” said Amanda,
the girl who’d mentioned corruption, “and that
likely includes you, Rose Gardner.”
Rose sat as still as a pin, but my anger flared.
“What on earth possessed you to say such a thing?”
“Ladies,” Miss Mary Ellen scolded.
I turned my wrath on her. “Surely that’s not
table talk.”
“Agreed,” Miss Mary Ellen said with a sigh.
“Politics is never polite conversation. Now, if you’ll
notice the table arrangement—”
Tina snapped her fingers. “I know where I saw
you both! Dancing at Gems, the strip club that
burned to the ground last fall.”
“You’re both strippers too?” Miss Mary Ellen
asked, looking like this was one shock too many.
Rose started to protest, then demurely put her
hands on the edge of the table and said in a sweet
voice, “We prefer the term exotic dancers, no
offense to Tina’s previous description.”
“No offense taken,” Tina said. “I ain’t much of
a dancer, if you know what I mean.”
Which was why it came as no surprise when
Miss Mary Ellen ushered us out onto her front
porch and then slammed the door in our faces.
Rose put her hands on her hips. “Well, that
wasn’t very ladylike.”
We’d broken Miss Mary Ellen.
 CHAPTER 6

“
V iolet’s gonna kill us,” Rose said as the
three of us stood on the front porch,
unsure what to do.
“I’ll take the blame,” I said with a heavy sigh.
“You’ll do no such thing,” Rose said in a
haughty tone. “It’s my fault we got kicked out.”
Then she wrapped an arm around my shoulders and
snugged me to her side. “I’m sorry. I know how
much you wanted to come to this thing.”
“It’s okay. I guess I was never meant to be high
society.”
“Bullshit,” Tina said with a dismissive wave.
“Why can’t you be high society? You’re a lot more
high-class than me.”
 I gasped. “Tina, that’s not true!”
“I don’t aim to be all highfalutin, not really. I
was only learnin’ to have a shot at those high
rollers. I like who I am.” Then she gave us a sly
grin. “And maybe I liked shakin’ up Miss Mary
Ellen’s perfect world.”
I grinned.
“Tina’s right,” Rose said, squeezing my arm. “I
like who you are, and so does Joe. He wants Neely
Kate Rivers, not some prim and proper Neely Kate
Simmons.”
Tina’s jaw dropped. “Simmons? Like that J.R.
dude? And Joe Simmons, the sheriff.”
“Joe’s only the chief deputy sheriff,” I said.
“Still…” Her eyes flew wide with a revelation.
“Neely Kate Simmons? Are you two gettin’
married?”
“What?” I asked. “No! I’m Joe’s sister.”
She looked so surprised we could have toppled
her over with a feather. “I thought his sister was up
in the loony bin in Little Rock.”
“That’s his other sister, Kate. I’m his half sister
and we only just found out we were siblings a few
months ago. He’s takin’ me to a big fundraiser
dinner in Little Rock on Saturday night, and I don’t
want to embarrass him.”
Tina gave me a soft smile. “Let me tell ya
something, honey. People either love you for who
you are or they don’t. Don’t go changin’ to please
anyone but you.”
“Wise words, Tina,” Rose said as she leaned
her head into mine.
“Look,” I said. “It’s not like I’m trying to live
in high cotton and become high society. My goal is
to not make a fool of myself. That’s all.” I gave one
last look toward the front door. “I’m gonna head
home.”
“I’m sorry,” Rose said again.
I gave her a grin. “Hey, I know how to use a
fork and spoon. How hard can it be?”
She gave me a hug. “I’ll see you later.”
As she headed for her truck, I realized I had an
opportunity to see if Jed was still working for
Skeeter. I turned to Tina. “Do you like workin’ at
the Bunny Ranch?”
Tina gave me a look of surprise. “Are you
lookin’ for a job?”
I lifted my shoulder into a half shrug. “I made
good money in Oklahoma dancing on the pole.”
“Well, the Bunny Ranch ain’t no place you
want to work at now. It’s run downhill after the
manager left.”
“What happened?” I asked, trying to look
clueless. “Why’d he leave?”
“Dunno,” she said with a frown. “I guess he
had a fallin’-out with the owner, but the new guy
doesn’t treat us as good as Jed did. That’s part of
the reason why I’m here. Sure, I’d like to hook up
with high rollers, but I’m thinkin’ about doin’
something else. A lot of us girls are.”
“Huh,” I said, trying to process what she said.
“I guess now’s not a good time to try to get on
there.”
“No, ma’am. But one of the girls said she heard
Jed’s workin’ on opening a new business. If he
opens his own strip club, we’d all flock to it like
white on rice.”
“That’s good to know.” Was that what Jed was
working on? Opening his own club? Owning a club
wasn’t illegal, but it wasn’t very respected either,
not that I minded—Jed treated those women better
than any other man in their lives. Not only had he
been determined to provide a safer work
environment, he’d made sure they provided health
insurance and sick leave. Jed had confided that the
club lost money, but Skeeter’s businesses could
absorb the loss and it provided for several single
mothers. But Skeeter owned the Bunny Ranch, and
I couldn’t imagine Jed double-crossing Skeeter to
open his own place.
But that left the question—what was Jed up to?

AFTER I WENT HOME, I spent a few hours watching

YouTube videos about table manners, until I fell
asleep in my bed. I wasn’t sure how long I’d been
out when Muffy started growling, then took off
downstairs barking as I heard the squeaky front
door open. Rose was home. She stopped barking as
I rolled to my side and picked up my phone to see it
was nearly one in the morning.
When I woke again, soft morning sunlight was
streaming in my windows and there was a loud,
persistent knocking on the front door.
“Neely Kate!” Joe was shouting my name.
“Neely Kate!”
Muffy jumped off my bed and took off
downstairs.
Why was Muffy sleeping with me and not with
Rose?
I reached for my phone to check the time,
surprised to see it was dead. I’d fallen asleep before
I’d plugged it in.
“Neely Kate!” Joe shouted again. Then I heard
a house-shaking thud at the front door.
What in the world was he doing, and why was
he here shouting my name?
“I’m comin’!” I shouted as I ran down the stairs
in my pajama shorts and cami top. Muffy was
prancing around the front door, desperate to get out
as I unfastened the deadbolt and opened the door,
staring up into Joe’s terror-stricken face.
He wrapped me in a suffocating hug. “Thank
God you’re okay.”
I pulled back to look up at him, but he refused
to let me go, even though Muffy was jumping up on
him, practically trying to climb his legs. “Why
wouldn’t I be okay?”
He dropped his hold and glanced down at the
eager dog at his feet. “Not now, Muff.” Muffy sat
at his feet as he grabbed my shoulders. “Kate broke
out of the hospital last night.”
I gasped and stumbled backward, but his grip
held me in place. “What?”
 “The hospital called me about ten minutes ago.
I tried to call you, but it went straight to voice mail.
That’s why I’m pounding on your door at six in the
morning.”
I lifted my hand to my temple, still trying to
process this. “My phone died. Why didn’t you call
Rose?”
“I did and she said she wasn’t here.”
I glanced around him, and sure enough, her
truck wasn’t parked in front of the house. That was
weird. I’d heard her come home.
“She said she was coming home now,” Joe said.
I could see he was dying to ask where she was but
was controlling himself.
Had she decided to spend the night with
Skeeter? I wasn’t surprised, but I looked up at Joe
in confusion. “Then who did I hear come in at one
in the morning?”
His eyes widened with fear. “You heard
someone in your house? Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I heard the front door open and Muffy
took off barking.”
My terrified brother was gone, and Chief
Deputy Joe Simmons had replaced him. He pulled
me onto the front porch. “You stay out here while I
do a quick search of the house.”
“Do you think she broke into our house last
night?” I asked in shock. “Why are you here in
such a panic?”
“She left a note.” Then he went inside.
If he thought I was staying out here while he
walked away with my answers, he had another
think coming. I scooped up Muffy and followed
him in.
“I told you to stay outside,” he grunted as he
walked around the perimeter of the living room.
“What was in her note, Joe?”
“She said she was lookin’ forward to a family
reunion. Now go back outside.” Then he moved
into the kitchen.
I followed him, of course. He was checking the
kitchen windows and back door. “I told you to go
outside.”
“And did you really think I was gonna do that?”
I scoffed.
He hesitated for a moment, then grumbled.
“No.”
“Well, there you go. How about we move past
the part where you try to tell me what to do and
skip to the part of you tellin’ me what’s goin’ on?”
 He turned to me, scrubbing his face. “Kate
broke out of the psych unit sometime between ten
p.m. last night and six a.m. this morning. She left a
note on her bed that said, ‘Thank you for the vacay.
I’m looking forward to my family reunion.’”
I let her words sink in. “So why did you come
in here in a panic as soon as you found out?”
“Because I know you’ve been goin’ to see her,
Neely Kate. I know she’s toyin’ with you and she’s
movin’ on to round two.”
I swallowed the bile that rose in the back of my
throat. “That place is locked up tighter than a drum.
How did she get out?”
“Obviously she had help.”
My blood ran cold. Did Jed have anything to do
with this?
“I need to know the last time you saw her,” Joe
said.
I looked up at him, trying to hide my terror, but
I must not have done a good job of hiding it
because his gaze softened.
“I doubt you’ll be a suspect, but they’ll be
searchin’ her contacts with a fine-tooth comb.”
When I didn’t answer, he asked, “Was it Sunday?”
“Yeah, I saw her Sunday.” I nearly left it at that,
but I needed to be honest with him. At least in this.
“But I saw her yesterday too.”
He sucked in a breath. “You saw her
yesterday?”
I nodded.
“Why?”
What to tell him? All of it? “I knew she saw my
mother, and she was handing out details like they
were golden nuggets. But I told her yesterday that I
was done. Either she told me everything or I was
never comin’ back again.”
Joe stared at me in shock. “What was her
reaction?”
“She thought I was bluffin’, but when I started
to leave, she told me that she had seen my mother.
She said Momma had been scared when she found
out who Kate really was, but she wanted to know if
I had found out the truth about my father. Kate
says she really wanted to know if I’d been given
some of the Simmons money. When my mother
found out I had no part of it, she was no longer
interested in me.”
“Neely Kate,” Joe said empathically, then
added, “she could have been lying.”
“She wasn’t. But it’s nothin’ I didn’t already
expect.”
“So what happened then?”
A lot of ugliness I was ashamed of. But I wasn’t
ready to go there yet. “I left.”
“Did she think you were coming back?”
I hesitated, then said, “No. I knew she was
holding back information, so I said we were done.”
Joe’s face paled. “Shit.”
“You think she left because I wasn’t playin’ her
game anymore?”
“That’s exactly what I think.” He pushed out a
breath. “I need to check the rest of the house.”
“What are you lookin’ for?”
“I don’t know yet, but you heard someone
come in your house at one in the morning and it
wasn’t Rose.”
“You think it was Kate?”
“Or someone assisting her. She couldn’t do this
on her own.” He walked past me and headed up the
stairs.
I was right on his heels.
We didn’t find anything out of the ordinary in
the bedrooms, so we headed to the basement next.
Right away Joe noticed the board-covered
basement window. “What’s that about?”
 “We noticed it broken a couple of weeks ago.
We just hadn’t gotten around to fixin’ it yet.”
“How’d it get broken?”
“We don’t know. We just found it that way.”
He stared at me in disbelief. “And you didn’t
tell me?”
“It was a broken window, Joe,” I said in
exasperation. “There was nothin’ to tell.”
The look on his face suggested otherwise.
We started looking around the unfinished
basement, which held the furnace and air
conditioner, washer and dryer, shelves with boxes,
and the inherited contents of the nursery that used
to be in the sunroom off Rose’s bedroom.
“Nothin’ looks off,” I said.
“What about this room?” Joe said, pointing to
the space Rose’s father had used as a darkroom.
After Rose and I had gotten into a scrape with the
crime world a month ago, Jed had turned it into a
safe room. How would I explain that?
“Rose’s father’s darkroom. We keep it locked.”
I pretended to try to open the door, praying he
didn’t challenge me on it. “See. Still locked. And
you need a key.”
He frowned. “Why would you keep that room
locked?”
Why indeed? “Because of the broken window.
We started locking up the valuable stuff down here
in case someone was trying to burgle us.”
He put his hands on his hips in frustration.
“Again, why didn’t you tell me you had a busted
window?” He shook his head. “From now on,” he
said forcefully, “you tell me if your windows get
broken, you find your front door ajar, or anything
out of the ordinary. I know you and Rose have got
yourself tangled up in the crime world and you
drive me sick with worry on how to protect you.”
“I’m sorry, Joe.” And I truly was, but I wasn’t
about to stop our investigations.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice that you didn’t
agree to my request.”
I walked over to him and gave him a hug. “You
have to trust me more.”
“I think I trust you too much. Now open that
room.”
“What?”
“Open that room.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Or
are you hidin’ something from me?”
“Of course not,” I said as though he’d said the
silliest thing in the world. “Let me get the key.”
 I headed for the stairs, but he walked over to
the door and turned the knob, opening the door
about three inches. “Well, looky there. The door
just magically opened.”
Well, crap.
The first indication that something was off was
that the room was completely dark. Jed had made
us plug in a night-light so we could see in the room
if we had to lock ourselves inside, but the light
wouldn’t be strong enough to show under the crack
of the door. I knew it could have burnt out, but it
was only a couple of weeks old. That was unlikely.
Joe flipped the light switch and nothing
happened. “Do you purposely keep it dark in
here?”
“No,” I said, my stomach dropping to my toes.
“It worked just the other day. And so did the night-
light.”
“Night-light?” He grabbed his phone out of his
pocket and turned on the flash flight. He shone the
light around the room, then froze as he pointed it to
the far-right corner. “Neely Kate. I need you to go
upstairs and wait in the front yard.” The tightness in
his voice alerted me that he’d found something.
“What’s in there?”
 He held up his arm to block me, but I darted
underneath his arm and snatched his phone out of
his hand.
Propped up against the wall was a man in dress
pants and a dress shirt in a sitting position, his legs
straight out in front of him. His head sagged to the
side and his open, vacant eyes clued me in that he
was dead. A handwritten note was pinned to the
lapel of his dark suit, which I could read from eight
feet away.

A peace offering. Let’s kiss and make up.

your loving sister

I took a step back in horror, my back bumping

into Joe’s chest.
“No…”
He grunted a terse response. “Kate.”
 CHAPTER 7

“
D o you know him?” Joe asked, holding
my arm in a firm grip.
I shook my head and croaked out, “No.”
“Do you have any idea why she would do
this?”
I shook my head. “No.”
But then I did.
The blood rushed to my head so quickly I
thought I would pass out. No. Now was not the
time to panic. I needed to keep a cool head, but my
hysteria was rising faster than I could push it down
into submission. I broke free of his hold and bolted
up the stairs, Joe close behind.
“Neely Kate.”
 I didn’t stop until I reached the kitchen, and
even that didn’t seem far enough away, not with
Joe watching my every move. I stared to
hyperventilate.
“Neely Kate,” Joe said with worry in his eyes.
“What’s goin’ on?”
With anyone else, he would have expected
them to freak out over seeing a dead body, but I’d
seen several over the last few months. He knew
something else was going on.
How was I going to explain this? I needed Jed,
but my phone was upstairs and currently dead.
Joe grabbed my upper arms and bent at the
knees to stare into my face. “Neely Kate, honey, I
need you to tell me what you know.”
Tears burned my eyes. If I told him, it would be
the beginning of the end.
“Neely Kate!” Rose shouted from the living
room.
“In here!” I called out. “In the kitchen.”
Seconds later she burst into the room, her wild
eyes moving from Joe to quickly scanning me. “Are
you okay?”
I hugged myself, realizing I’d begun to shake.
“Yeah.”
 “You don’t look okay. Joe said Kate broke out
and your phone was dead.” She put a hand on her
chest. “I was terrified.”
I quickly gave her a hug. “I’m fine. I forgot to
plug my phone in.”
“Why do you look so scared?” she asked, then
shook her head. “Not that finding out Kate is on the
loose isn’t terrifying in its own right.”
I gave her a grim smile. Part of me didn’t want
to tell her about the body in our basement. She was
going out of town with Skeeter later today, and
there was no way she’d leave me knowing Kate
was playing a dangerous game. The other part of
me didn’t want to tell her because I’d have to
confess all. And I still wasn’t ready.
Damn Kate.
Joe wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
“Kate’s a loose cannon. That’s terrifying enough.
Sorry to have bothered you so early.”
I barely stopped myself from turning to look at
him in shock.
She gave him a hesitant glance. Joe would
ordinarily ask where she’d been, so she was
obviously on pins and needles, waiting for his
prying. “No bother. I’m glad you called. But now
that I know Neely Kate is safe, I’ll head upstairs
and take a shower.”
She gave me a look that suggested she could
easily be talked out of it, but I nodded, eager to get
Joe alone so I could find out why he didn’t tell her
about our discovery. “I’ll start a pot of coffee. It’ll
be ready when you come down.”
Muffy followed her, and as soon as she was out
of earshot, I looked up at him with wide eyes.
“Why didn’t you tell her?”
“Let’s get that pot of coffee started. I suspect
we’re gonna need it.”
I stared at him in shock as he walked over to
the cabinets and started opening doors. “Where are
the coffee grounds?”
“Uh… in the fridge.” I walked over and opened
the refrigerator door, removing the coffee from the
door shelf.
Joe filled the pot with water, then poured it into
the machine.
“Filter?” he asked as though this was Sunday
morning brunch.
I opened a cabinet he hadn’t gotten to and
handed him one.
“You feelin’ like one or two cups today?”
 I blinked. What in Sam Hill was going on?
“Two.”
He nodded. “That’s what I thought.” Then he
scooped grounds into the filter, poured in the water,
then started it brewing.
“Joe…”
“Have a seat, Neely Kate.” It was an order.
I sat in a kitchen chair at the head of the table,
clutching my hands on the table and feeling like I
was going to throw up.
He sat down next to me. “I know Kate has
somethin’ on you. It will make things easier if you
tell me what it is right off the bat. You have to
know it’s all gonna come out.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “Don’t you need
to call somebody?”
“Not yet. How often do you check that room
down there?”
“Uh… maybe once a week.”
“So who’s to say we would have checked it
right away?”
“Why wait?” I asked, gripping my hands
together so tightly I could feel my nails digging into
my skin.
“Because I need to know how much trouble
you’re in and what I can do to protect you before
we officially find that body.”
“What?” I couldn’t have been more shocked if
he’d told me he was the king of France.
“What did you do in Ardmore?”
Now I really felt like I was going to be sick.
“How much does Rose know?”
I sucked in a breath, then pushed it out. “Barely
anything.”
“Who’s been helping you? I know you haven’t
been seeing our sister alone.”
I looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. “It
depends on who’s askin’. Joe my brother or Chief
Deputy Simmons.”
He held out his hands. “Do you see me wearing
a badge or a uniform?”
“That doesn’t mean squat, and you know it.
You’re always on duty, twenty-four seven. I think
it’s best you just handle this like any other case.”
“Then I’ll take a leave of absence.”
“Why?” I asked him, bewildered.
“To prove that I love you and that I’m here for
you no matter what. I’ll quit my damn job if I have
to, to prove that I have your back.”
“But it’s your job, Joe.”
 “Exactly. It’s my job. You’re my sister. Family
trumps work.”
A burning lump filled my throat and tears fell
down my cheeks. “Why? You hardly know me. We
only found out we were siblings a few months ago.”
“I knew you pretty well before we found out,”
he said with a mischievous grin. “I knew you were
hardheaded and stubborn.” He turned serious.
“And I know that when we’re together we feel like
family more than I’ve ever felt it with anyone else,
even Kate.” He paused. “I need you just as much
as you need me, Neely Kate. And I’m not letting
Kate destroy you—destroy us—because I suspect
that’s her real goal. But I need to know everything
that you’re hidin’.”
I bit my lower lip as I mulled over his words.
Could I really trust him?
He leaned over and covered my hand with his
large one. “I swear to you on my babies’ graves
that I won’t use anything I find out to hurt you. I’ll
quit if necessary.”
I shook my head. “I can’t let you do that, Joe.”
“You can’t do this on your own.”
Relief washed through me. I’d been so scared
he was going to dump me at the first sign of trouble,
but here he was, insisting he was sticking with me. I
glanced out the back windows. “I’m not own my
own. I have help.”
“It’s not Kermit the Hermit, is it?” he asked in
dismay.
Kermit was the private investigator Rose and I
were working with to get enough hours to take the
PI exam. But Kermit was as lazy as they come.
Any case we worked for him, we handled
completely on our own. “Heavens, no. I aim to stay
out of jail, not get a one-way, first-class ticket into
one.”
“Then how do I know the person you’re relying
on is resourceful enough to actually help?”
I pushed out a sigh. “Trust me. He is.”
Joe chewed on my answer for a few moments.
“He?”
“I think the coffee’s done.” I hopped up and
grabbed two mugs and filled one to give to Joe,
then partially filled mine to leave room to doctor it
up.
“Is this he your mysterious boyfriend?”
I didn’t answer as I put his mug in front of him.
“Neely Kate.”
Joe was genuinely concerned, and I owed him
something. I grabbed the creamer, then sat in my
chair and held his gaze. “He helped me in Ardmore.
He’s very resourceful and has options you don’t.”
His eyes hardened. “So he’s a criminal. Did you
get mixed up with him while you and Rose have
been traipsing around playing Nancy Drew in the
Fenton County crime world?”
He wasn’t too far off.
“Need I remind you that Mason Deveraux is
back with a vengeance?” he asked in a hard tone.
“He’s gonna throw the book at anyone who so
much as breathes the wrong way.”
“I know, Joe,” I said with a sigh. “I know.”
“So who’s helping you?”
I shook my head. “I can’t tell you, but I
promise you that he’s working hard to make sure
I’m safe.”
“He’s actively lookin’ into this?”
I nodded. “He’s on it, I swear. It’s better this
way. Otherwise, you might get caught up in
something awkward.”
“I don’t even know what he’s helpin’ you with.
Is someone tryin’ to pin something on you?”
My heart was racing, making me breathless. “I
did something, Joe, something I thought was buried
in the past. My boyfriend thought it was buried too.
But then something happened yesterday to make us
realize it wasn’t as gone as we’d hoped it would
be.”
He was quiet for a moment. “You left
Oklahoma six years ago. Maybe what you did is
past the statute of limitations.”
“There is no statute of limitations for this
crime.”
His eyes widened slightly. “Are you sure about
that?”
“Yeah,” I said sadly. “And you and I both know
if I tell you, you’ll be obligated to act on it. If you
think it’s gonna come to that, then let me confess to
someone else. Maybe Deputy Miller. Then you
won’t be caught up in my mess.”
“I’m not worried about getting caught up in
your mess, Neely Kate,” he said, getting frustrated.
“I’m worried about you. I know there’s no way in
hell you committed murder.”
I stared at him in surprise.
He gave me a look that suggested I was a fool.
“There’s only one crime with no statute of
limitations in Arkansas. It wasn’t hard to figure
out.”
 I broke out into a cold sweat.
“Who did you kill?”
I shook my head
“Who’s helpin’ you?”
I glanced back up. “Do you really think I’m
gonna tell you after you’re all worked up?”
Joe looked furious. “What does Kate have on
you?”
“Kate keeps hinting she knows what I did.
After our visit yesterday, I was convinced she
doesn’t know anything, but after finding that man
in the basement…” I swallowed. “I’m not so sure.”
“You said you didn’t know who he was, Neely
Kate,” he said, his voice rising. “If I’m gonna help
you, you can’t keep lyin’ to me!”
“I’m not lyin’, Joe,” I said calmly. I understood
why he was upset. He was putting his job on the
line for me. “I swear I’ve never seen him before,
but I think he’s part of it. Especially after
everything that’s happened over the last few days.”
He took a breath and when he released it, he
asked in a tight voice, “Are you in danger?”
“Physical danger? Until this morning, I would
have said no, but I’m still convinced I’m not in
immediate danger.”
 “Did you tell Kate we were goin’ to the
fundraiser dinner together?”
“No, but she knows you’re datin’ Dena and she
knows what a controlling witch she is, so it’s safe to
say she has an inside source who knows what’s
goin’ on in your life.”
He pressed his lips together. “I wouldn’t be
surprised if she plans to crash the dinner. At the
very least, she’s trying to stir up trouble. Exhibit A
is in your basement. Do you plan to tell your
boyfriend about Kate’s escape and surprise?”
Panic shot through my blood. Jed was probably
freaking out that he couldn’t get ahold of me.
“I suspect he already knows she’s escaped and
is probably tryin’ to call me now to make sure I’m
okay. I need to get my phone.” I got up to go get it.
Joe grabbed my wrist and held me in place.
“How would he know she’s escaped?”
I hesitated, then said, “He’s had her watched.”
“Why?”
I couldn’t tell him he’d been linked to Skeeter
Malcolm, but I could give him something. “I’ll tell
you how this all started, but just let me go get my
phone and plug it in, or he’s gonna be scared to
death for me and show up poundin’ on the front
door like you just did.”
He stared up at me with searching eyes. “He
really cares about you?”
I didn’t answer, because while I thought the
answer was yes, my recent doubts held back the
affirmation.
But Joe took my silence as affirmation enough.
“Go get your phone, but we’re not done with this
conversation.”
I nodded. I wanted to tell him more. I just
wasn’t sure how much was safe for him. I truly
didn’t want to put him in a difficult position.
I ran upstairs and snatched my phone and cord,
then ran back down. I’d considered catching Rose
up to speed, but her shower was still running, and
Joe had purposely held back finding a body. I
wanted to see what he ultimately planned to do
about that.
I ran down the stairs and found Joe pouring
another cup of coffee for himself. He must have
gulped some down while I was grabbing my phone
because neither of us had touched our cups while
we were talking.
I plugged my phone in at the counter, and the
battery light flashed on the screen.
 “Don’t you be callin’ or textin’ him yet,” Joe
said. “We need to establish some ground rules.”
I spun around to face him. “Ground rules?”
“Yep. If I’m gonna help you with this, there
need to be rules and I need to trust that you’ll
follow them or my ass is on the line.”
I shook my head. “Joe…”
“I’m helpin’ you, Neely Kate, that part isn’t in
dispute. At this point, I need to know what you did
and what your boyfriend is doin’ about it. I have
half a mind to drag his ass over here to ask him
himself.”
My heart leapt into my throat. “Joe. Don’t.”
He walked over to the table and sat down.
“Rose’ll be done with her shower soon, so you
better start spillin’ or she’ll walk in on your
confession. And I take it you still want to keep this
from her, so let’s get to it.”
“Confession.” My blood turned to sludge.
“Should I get an attorney?” I asked, my voice
shaking.
“What?” he asked in dismay. “No.” He groaned
and ran a hand through his hair, making it stand up
in weird places. “Poor word choice on my part in
light of everything else. I just want to know what
happened, Neely Kate.”
I sat down in my chair and clasped my hands
around my coffee cup. “I still don’t think I should
tell you everything. If you find out and don’t report
it…”
He leaned forward and held my gaze. “I’ve
done a lot of messed-up shit in my life and look at
me now—I’m the chief deputy sheriff, even after
everything our father did. After everything I did
that our father swept under the rug, from DUIs to
drunk-and-disorderlies, to assault charges from bar
fights.” He leaned forward and held my gaze.
“You’ve dealt with far more shit in your life than I
have, and you’re a much better person. Whatever
you’ve done, we’ll deal with it. Within the family. I
swear it.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“Get started.” He glanced up at the ceiling. “I
know from experience that Rose likes long showers
in the mornings, but she knows Kate’s escaped, so
she won’t dally even though I’m here and she’s
been avoidin’ me lately.”
I tasted bitter on my tongue. Had he figured out
that she was seeing Skeeter?
He noticed my reaction. “I suspect her avoidin’
me is Dena’s doin’ too, but that’s beside the point at
the moment. All I’m sayin’ is you need to start
talkin’.”
At least he wasn’t accusing Rose of hiding a
relationship, which was surprising given that she’d
spent the night somewhere else last night.
Joe mistook my silence for reluctance, although
I had plenty of that too. “Neely Kate, I promise I
won’t judge you for what you’ve done. I just need
the truth.”
I nodded, then stared down at the shaking
coffee cup. “I got myself into a difficult situation
that I saw no way of gettin’ out of. My boyfriend
wasn’t the man I thought he was, and he used me
for…” I struggled with the right words so I didn’t
set him off. There was no delicate way to put it.
“He gave me to other men for sex.”
Joe was silent for so long I finally looked up at
him to see his reaction. Tears filled his eyes and he
took a deep breath when his gaze met mine. “Did
you kill your boyfriend?”
I shook my head, my heart beating so fast I
could hardly catch my breath. “No. I killed a man
he forced me to have sex with.”
He swallowed and sat back in his chair. “Self-
defense?”
I glanced away again. “I’m not sure a jury
would see it that way.”
“How’d it happen?”
The coffee cup started to rattle on the table
from my shaking hands.
Joe reached over and moved the cup to the side
and clasped both my hands in his. His warm gaze
held mine. “I’ve done plenty of bad things in my
life. No judging from me, Neely Kate.”
“Have you killed a man?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he said without blinking. “I killed our
father, and it wasn’t self-defense. So if I turn you
in, I’m turning in myself too.”
“You’ve been cleared of any wrongdoin’.”
“And the authorities are under the assumption I
had no other choice. I could have apprehended
him, but in that flash of a second, I realized he’d
continue to make our lives a living hell. So I didn’t
even entertain another option. I just pulled the
trigger.” He squeezed my hands tighter. “And
here’s the kicker—I’m not the least bit sorry. God
help my soul. I don’t regret it for one minute. Now
tell me what happened.”
“My boyfriend sold me to other men for sex,” I
repeated, holding his gaze almost in challenge,
although for the life of me, I didn’t know why I was
feeling confrontational.
“Does Rose know?”
I shook my head. “No. She knows something
bad happened in Ardmore, but she doesn’t know
what. I can’t tell her yet.”
“Rose won’t judge you, Neely Kate, not that
there’s anything to judge. You didn’t do anything
wrong.”
I released a bitter laugh. “I did plenty wrong,
but I know Rose won’t judge me. I’m just not
ready. I can barely stand to tell you.”
“How long did this go on?”
“Months and months.”
He was quiet for a moment, looking perfectly
still on the outside, but I saw emotions vacillating in
his eyes—anger, grief—but after a few seconds, he
was holding my gaze again, perfectly calm as he
said, “So there’s a pattern of abuse. I suspect he
locked you up at first.”
I was surprised he knew that, but then I wasn’t.
He was good at his job. “But not at the end.”
“No, because he broke you.” His voice cracked
and he took a breath. “The statute of limitations on
rape and kidnapping is six years in Arkansas. I’ll
check them for Oklahoma.”
My eyes flew wide. “What? No!”
“We’re not lettin’ that bastard get away with
this, Neely Kate, and if that supposed boyfriend of
yours now was worth his salt, he wouldn’t let him
either.”
“I kicked my old boyfriend’s ass when he
showed up to harass me, and my new boyfriend
stood back and watched. He knew I needed to
prove to myself that Branson couldn’t control me
anymore.”
“You beat him up?”
I gave him a look of challenge. “Is that so hard
to believe?”
“Hell, no,” he said, his face shining with pride.
“You’re a spitfire.”
“My boyfriend would have preferred to have
beat the crap out of Branson himself, and in fact
did beat the crap out of his brother. He might have
seriously injured him if I hadn’t stopped him.”
“He kicked his ass in your defense?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“So Branson—the trafficker who pretended to
be your boyfriend—set you up with men to have
sex with?”
Tears filled my eyes. I couldn’t believe I was
having this conversation with him, but that wasn’t
what broke me down. “You called him a trafficker.”
“He sold you for sex, didn’t he?” he asked in a
no-nonsense tone.
“It didn’t start out that way.”
“Maybe not, but how soon after you started
dating did he start his . . . transactions?”
“A month or two.”
“That’s no boyfriend, Neely Kate. Let’s call a
spade a spade. He’s a trafficker. I don’t ever want
to hear you call him your boyfriend again.”
I started to cry harder.
Joe stood and pulled me from my seat, then
engulfed me in his arms. “Oh, honey. I wish you’d
told me sooner, even though I understand why you
didn’t.” He leaned back and looked into my eyes.
“Do you still want to keep this from Rose?”
I nodded.
“She’s turned off the shower. Leave her a note
that we’re goin’ for a walk, and then you can tell
me the rest.”
 CHAPTER 8

I wrote a quick note and left it by the

coffee pot. I also checked my phone,
which was now charged to eight percent. Jed had
made two calls and sent three texts. Turning my
back to Joe, I called him back.
The phone barely rang once before he
answered. “Neely Kate. Are you okay? Why
weren’t you answering?”
“My phone died, but Joe showed up poundin’
on my door to let me know that Kate broke out. I’ll
call you back in a bit.”
“Is Joe there now?”
“Yeah.”
“Does he know any details about her escape?”
 I thought about the body that was still in my
basement. “Not yet. I’ll call you later.”
“Call me the moment he leaves.”
“I will.”
As I hung up, Joe said, “This would go a whole
lot faster if you just invited your new boyfriend
over to share info.”
I gave him a piercing gaze. “You think I’m
gonna fall for that?”
“Does he love you?”
“We haven’t gotten that far in our relationship.
We only started something when we went to
Ardmore. He went with me as a friend.”
Suspicion covered his face. “He went as your
friend? I’m not buyin’ that for one minute. Why’d
he really go, and how’d he find out you were goin’
in the first place?”
This was such a tangled web, I had no idea how
to tell him parts and still keep others a secret
without leaving huge gaping holes, but plenty of my
secrets weren’t mine to share.
I headed for the back door. “We better get goin’
if we’re gonna evade Rose.”
He followed me outside.
“My boyfriend—let’s call him Bill,” I said as I
started walking toward the path through the
hayfields that connected Rose’s property to Joe’s.
“I’ve known him for a while, and he made it clear
months back that he was interested in me, but I’m
still married to that lowlife Ronnie. Plus, I don’t
trust my judgment with men at this point. After
Branson and Ronnie… I wasn’t ready to start
something. But Bill found out I was goin’ to see
Kate and didn’t want me to go alone. So he went
with me.”
“And the reason you’ve been seeing Kate is
because she says she has something on you?”
“After you and I went to see her, she started
sendin’ me letters, tellin’ me little things about
meetin’ my momma, like what color shirt she was
wearing. But the last letter said she knew what
happened in Oklahoma and if I didn’t come see her,
she was gonna tell everyone.”
“And Bill went with you?” He dragged out the
name as though it was a personal insult against him.
“You’d already told him what happened?”
“No. I didn’t want anyone to know, but my car
is crap and I didn’t trust it to go to Little Rock. I
planned to let him come with me and ditch him at
the hospital and take a Greyhound bus to
Ardmore.”
“Did he go in to see Kate with you?”
“Yes.”
“How’d you get in off the books?”
I hesitated. “I’d rather not say right now. It’s
not pertinent to this story.”
He looked unconvinced but nodded.
“Obviously you didn’t ditch him.”
“He found me at the bus station and told me
he’d take me. I refused, so he bought a bus ticket
and insisted on coming with me anyway. I realized
he was serious and let him drive me.”
“Why was he so insistent?”
“He was worried about me. He said he’d let me
do what I needed to do and be there for backup if I
needed it.”
“So he knows you killed a man? I know you
said he was helping you…”
I hesitated, then said, “He helped me dig up the
body.”
Joe stopped walking and turned to me in shock.
“And where is that body now?”
I couldn’t tell him that Jed had removed the
body, dug a new hole, and burned it. He might not
be so lenient where Jed was concerned. “I’d rather
not say.”
His back stiffened. “You’d rather not say.”
“I trust you with me, Joe. Maybe that’s pure
stupidity on my part based on all the other people
who have screwed me over in my life, but there it
is. I trust you. But I don’t trust you one iota with
Bill. I’m not about to tell you anything to
incriminate him.”
A hard look filled his eyes. “First of all, I’ll do
everything in my power to protect you. You can
trust me. I swear. But you realize just tellin’ me
your boyfriend helped you dig up a body has
already incriminated him, right?”
“Joe,” I said, sounding as exhausted as I felt. “I
can’t fight you on this right now. If I’m tellin’ you, I
need to do this with as little animosity as possible.”
Regret washed over his face. “You’re right. I’m
sorry. I don’t trust this guy’s motives, but I need to
put that on the back burner for now. Is the body in
the same place?”
I studied him for a few seconds, starting to have
second thoughts, but the dead man in my basement
meant there was no going back. “The body can no
longer be found.”
He started walking again, quiet for a few
moments. “Who else knows you killed this man?”
“Branson’s brother. And Branson, since his
brother is his bestie again.”
“And they could have told anyone. How do
they know you killed him?”
“Beasley, that’s Branson’s brother, found me
standin’ next to the body. He knew that the man I
was with was plannin’ to hurt me, and he showed
up because he felt guilty.”
He stopped walking again. “Plannin’ to hurt
you?”
I didn’t stop. I just kept going and let him catch
up.
“How did Beasley know that man was plannin’
to hurt you?”
“There was a contract,” I forced past a lump in
my throat. “I refused to sign a waiver to let him do
it, so I knew he was likely goin’ to kill me.”
“Why was he likely to kill you?”
My voice came out in a whisper. “He liked it
rough. Really rough. No safe word.”
“So he raped you and beat you?”
My eyes burned as I nodded.
He turned and walked several feet away from
me, then stopped and placed his palms on top of his
head. After a few seconds, he spun around and
asked in a tight voice, “Where is that contract
now?”
“I don’t know.” Why hadn’t I thought of that?
But I suspected Jed had. He wasn’t one to let things
like that slide.
“If we can find that contract, we can prove
self-defense, Neely Kate.”
“The man I killed was from oil money, Joe. His
family put up a huge reward to find him. If word
gets out that I killed him and then hid the body
instead of callin’ the police, we both know what’s
gonna happen to me. Who will they blame? An ex-
stripper with a criminal record or the son of a
mega-rich oil man?”
“Criminal record?”
My gaze dropped to the dirt path. “Shopliftin’
charge.”
“That’s nothin’, Neely Kate.”
I glanced back up at him. “We both know it’s
enough. No one else can know I killed him.”
“So who do you think is in your basement?”
“I got a call yesterday—a Dallas number—
warning me it was in my best interest to call the guy
back. Bill”—I almost used Jed’s name—“said it
was a number for a PI firm, but he wasn’t so sure it
really was.” I pushed out a breath. “So we went to
Little Rock and I insisted Kate tell me what she
really knew. I told her that someone was askin’
around about me, but a guy had been asking about
me around Ardmore, too, a few months ago, so it
could have been Kate—”
“Or it could have been that you stirred
something up just by showin’ up,” Joe finished.
“Yeah.”
“So who’s the guy in the basement?” he asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine, but I’d say it
was the guy askin’ around.” I searched his face.
“So what are you gonna do about the body?”
“Nothin’ yet.”
I stared up at him in shock. “You’re kiddin’
me.”
“I want to dig up more information before we
report it.” When I started to protest, he held up a
hand. “The guy is dead, Neely Kate. One or two
days isn’t gonna change anything.”
“But…”
“You and Rose need to find somewhere else to
stay until we figure out what to do. You can stay
with me—Kate escapin’ is a good excuse—but
Rose…”
“Rose already has plans for the weekend. After
the stress of Violet dyin’ and our case goin’
sideways a couple of weeks ago, she’s goin’ out of
town to get away.”
“By herself?” he asked in surprise.
Torn between lying to him and finding a way to
evade his questions, I was relieved when his phone
began to ring.
He pulled it out and frowned.
“You’re up early, Deveraux,” he said in a
sarcastic tone as he answered.
Mason. Why was Mason calling him so early?
But my question was almost immediately answered.
“Yes, I’m well aware that my sister has
escaped, and no, I saw no reason to notify you. I
was more concerned about Neely Kate’s welfare.”
He paused and rolled his eyes. “She’s fine, but I ran
over to see her for myself. I would have informed
you after I dealt with my family business.” He
paused again; then his face hardened. “No. You do
not need to come over to her house.”
What? Why would Mason be concerned about
me? But as soon as the thought popped into my
head, I felt guilty. Mason had been a good friend
while he was with Rose, and even before. I wasn’t
surprised he was worried about me, but the real
question was how he found out so soon.
Joe pulled the phone away from his ear and
looked at the screen. “Dammit. Mason’s on his way
over. He says he’s been trying to call both you and
Rose, and since neither one of you answered, he
started heading your way.”
“We need to get back and warn Rose,” I said.
He nodded, and we walked back at a quicker
pace than we’d started out. Mason’s car pulled
down the driveway as we walked out of the path in
the field, the opening about twenty feet from the
back of the house.
“We can’t let him know about the broken
window in the basement,” Joe said. “Otherwise,
he’s gonna insist on searching the house, and
there’s no way I can hide the body then.”
“I don’t expect you to, Joe. Maybe we should
just come clean.”
“No.” His response was terse. “We’ll discuss
this after he leaves. Let’s go try to keep him on the
front porch.”
We hurried past the side of the house, toward
the front yard, as Mason got out of his car and
started to walk toward us… which would take him
right past the broken window.
I was starting to sweat it, but then I heard Rose
call out from the porch, “What the Sam Hill do you
think you’re doin’, Mason Deveraux?”
He stopped and turned to face the front door.
“Checking on you.”
“Then why are you snoopin’ around the side of
my house?”
I truly believed that Mason was here out of
concern for our safety and not for devious reasons,
which was why I felt compelled to intervene. “He
was comin’ to meet me,” I said as I reached the
front corner of the house, trying not to show my
relief.
Rose was standing at the top of the front steps
with sopping wet hair, a tank top, and a pair of jean
shorts, cradling a shotgun in her arm.
“The real question is why you’re greeting me
with a gun,” Mason said.
“Haven’t you heard?” she asked in a hard tone.
“Kate Simmons has escaped. The last time the two
of us met, she tried to kill me. I’m not getting
caught off guard this time.”
“Well, I don’t have her in the backseat of my
car, if that’s what you’re worried about,” he said in
a dry tone, “so you can put your weapon away.”
“Rose,” Joe said in warning.
She lowered the gun barrel. “Sorry for
overreacting when you turned onto the property.
I’m nervous.”
Mason’s face softened. “And that’s why I’m
here. I wanted to make sure the two of you are
okay.”
“We’re fine,” I said in a friendly tone. “Joe told
us about Kate, and we’ll be on the lookout.”
“Lookout?” Mason asked in disbelief, then
turned to Joe. “They need to be protected.”
Joe’s chest puffed up like a bantam rooster.
“Are you tryin’ to tell me how to do my job,
Deveraux?”
“If protecting them wasn’t obvious to you, then
yeah, I am.”
I pushed out a breath of frustration. “Mason,
Joe has this covered. Your job is at the courthouse,
not Rose’s farm.”
His jaw tightened. “Need I remind you that I
was part of Kate’s plot? She kidnapped and planned
to kill me too.”
I walked over to him and wrapped my hand
around his upper arm. “You’re right. I’m sorry we
haven’t been more understanding.”
He glanced down at me, then flicked his gaze to
Joe. “What were you two doin’ in the field?”
“That’s none of your business, Mason,” Rose
said, sounding pissed.
While I understood her animosity—he’d
threatened her if she got in the way of his
investigations—we didn’t need to antagonize him.
Only she didn’t know that.
“It’s okay,” I said, tightening my grip. “I was
upset, so Joe suggested we take a walk to help ease
my anxiety.”
“What do you plan to do to protect them?”
Mason asked again.
“I’ve barely had time to put anything together,
Deveraux,” Joe said in exasperation. “Neely Kate
was my priority. Now that I’ve helped her calm
down, I can give it some thought. Do you expect
me to give you protection as well?”
Mason’s eyes darkened. “The state police are
sending a detail.”
“Well, now that you know it’s being handled on
this end, we’ll let you get on with your day,” Joe
said.
 Mason took a step toward his car, then turned
back to Joe. “Has she contacted you?”
Some of Joe’s antagonism fled. “No. The first I
heard of her escaping was when the hospital called
me.”
“What about you?” Mason asked in a softer
tone as he glanced down at me.
“My phone died overnight, and there was
nothin’ from her when I got it charged to turn on.”
Not a lie.
“Rose?” Mason asked.
She put a hand on her hip. “Are you
investigatin’ this too?”
Mason groaned. “Rose.”
“She didn’t contact her,” I said. “But you can’t
blame Rose for not wanting to be forthright with
you after you threatened her.”
His stiffened in frustration. “Rose, I said things
I now regret. I know you don’t want to hear that,
but it’s true.”
Her only answer was a glare.
He continued, “In light of the danger we’re all
in, I can set aside my differences. I’m genuinely
concerned for you and Neely Kate. We all know
that Kate’s unhinged. You two aren’t safe out here
alone.”
“We won’t stay here alone,” I said. “Joe and I
were making plans for where we’re gonna stay, so
don’t you worry.”
“You can stay with Mom,” Mason said. “I
stayed with her when I first got back into town, but
I’ve since found an apartment to rent.” He paused,
his gaze locking with Rose’s. “I guess what I’m
doin’ a poor job of saying is don’t let me stop you
from stayin’ with Mom.”
The hardness in Rose’s eyes softened.
“Thanks.”
Mason turned back to me. “I know Joe will
make sure you’re okay, but I’m here for you too,
Neely Kate. Just because Rose and I are out of
sorts doesn’t mean you can’t come to me for
anything.”
“Thanks, Mason,” I said, giving him a hug, and
feeling like a traitor to Rose, but I truly believed
him. “That means more than you know.”
He hugged me back, holding me longer than I’d
expected. “Kate’s up to something, Neely Kate. I
can feel it. I’m worried about you.”
I forced a laugh as I pulled back. “Listen to you
talkin’ about premonitions. If I didn’t know better,
I’d suspect you of hangin’ out with my granny.”
He forced a laugh too. “Sometimes I have gut
instincts too. Just be safe.” His gaze lifted to Rose
and pain filled his eyes. “Both of you.”
Then he stepped away from me and got into his
car and left.
 CHAPTER 9

A s soon as we saw Mason’s taillights, Joe

said, “Mason’s right. You two need to be
protected and you shouldn’t stay here.”
Rose gave me a slightly panicked look.
I smiled up at Joe. “Rose and I need to talk
about it,” I said. “Can we let you know?”
His face hardened. “I’m not leavin’ until we
come up with a plan.”
“Then we need to discuss this alone,” I said.
“How about you sit out here with Muffy?”
Surprisingly, he agreed.
As soon as we opened the front door, Muffy
shot out the door, running straight for Joe. We
walked into the kitchen and Rose put the shotgun
on the kitchen table.
“I need to cancel my weekend,” Rose said as
she leaned her butt against the edge of the kitchen
counter. “I can’t leave you with Kate running
around.”
“Going away is the absolute best thing you can
do,” I said. “And goin’ with Skeeter Malcolm to
boot. You know he’ll stop anyone who tries to hurt
you.” When she looked just as determined, I added,
“Kate planned to kill you before, Rose. Get out of
town while they’re lookin’ for her.”
“She was goin’ to kill you too.”
“She won’t now. Things are different between
us. She might try to hurt me, but she won’t kill me.”
“You don’t know that for certain,” she scoffed.
“But I do.”
“You still can’t be alone,” she protested.
“I won’t be. Tonight I’ll be with Jed, and
tomorrow I’ll be with Joe.”
She gave me a look of disbelief. “Are you still
goin’ to that dinner?”
“I don’t know,” I said with a frown. “I suspect
Kate knows about it, so it might be a good way to
draw her out.”
“I don’t like the idea of you acting as bait.”
 “You know that Joe won’t let anything happen
to me, and for all I know, he’s gonna cancel. My
point is that I’ll be safe here. You need to go, and
you need to see if Skeeter can get away sooner
rather than later.”
“What about Joe?” she asked. “He’s gonna
want to know where I’m goin’ and who I’m goin’
with.”
I cringed. “I already told him you were goin’
out of town for the weekend, but I didn’t tell him
who with. I just told him you needed a break.
Maybe tell him you’re meeting a friend from high
school.”
“Did he ask where I was last night?”
“No. I changed the topic.”
She gave me a worried look. “I’m sorry I didn’t
come home. I intended to, but I fell asleep until Joe
called.” She gave me a light slap on the arm. “You
scared the crap out of me when you wouldn’t
answer your phone.”
“Sorry.” I almost told her about hearing
someone come in during the middle of the night but
stopped myself. She’d never leave if I told her
about the break-in.
“I can’t leave you, Neely Kate,” she said with
tears in her eyes. “Not with that insane woman on
the loose.”
“Strangely enough, I think I’m fairly safe. After
our visit yesterday, I think she really does want to
have some kind of relationship with me. But you’re
not safe. Call Skeeter right now and ask him how
soon he can get away.”
Thankfully, she was caving. “What am I gonna
tell Joe? He’ll never believe I’m meeting a friend
from high school. He knows I didn’t really have
any of those.”
“What if you tell him you’re going to a
landscaping convention or a garden show or
something?” I twisted my lips to the side. “But he’d
likely check on that.”
“There’s actually something going on in the
botanical garden at the R.W. Norton Art Gallery.”
My eyebrows shot up. “You’re really goin’?”
Her cheeks flushed. “Well… yeah. That’s why
we planned on goin’ this weekend.”
I put a hand on my hip and stared at her in
disbelief. “Skeeter Malcolm’s goin’ to an art
museum.”
She scowled. “Is that so unbelievable?”
I gave a slight shake of my head. “Not when
you’re involved.”
“We’re gettin’ off track here,” she said. “We
need to figure out what we’re gonna tell Joe so he’ll
let me go and not be suspicious.”
We pondered for a second; then I snapped my
fingers. “I’ve got it. Tell him you’re goin’ with your
Aunt Bessie.”
Her eyes lit up.
Rose’s aunt lived the next county over. She and
Rose’s uncle had a farm that kept them busy, so
Rose didn’t see them much. It was clear Joe trusted
Rose’s aunt because he’d sent Violet and her family
to Bessie’s house several times when he’d thought
they’d been in danger before. It could work.
“What if he mentions it to Violet?” she asked.
“Then we’ll get her to cover for you.”
“Are you crazy?” she whisper-hissed. “Violet?”
“She already knows you’re seein’ someone, and
even though she doesn’t know who it is, she
approves. When I saw her yesterday, she wanted
me to tell her who it was, so she won’t be surprised
when you call her. And crazy enough, she seemed
just fine not knowin’. She said she’d wait until she
died, then peer over the edge of Heaven to see who
it was.”
 Tears glistened in Rose’s eyes even as she
smiled. “I’m not fallin’ for that for a split second—
but if she wasn’t upset, she’ll likely go along. I’ll
call her. But now that I’m taken care of, what about
you?”
“I already told you, Joe and Jed won’t let me
out of their sight.” Then I added, “Now run upstairs
and finish packing. We’ll tell Joe you’re leaving
right away to meet your aunt.”
She made a face. “I hate lyin’ to him.”
“I do too, but we sure as Pete can’t tell him
you’re goin’ to have a sexy-times weekend with
Skeeter Malcolm.”
“Neely Kate!”
“Well, it’s true on all counts. Now get goin’.”
The sooner I could get her out of this house, the
better.
She hurried upstairs, already calling Skeeter as I
headed out to the porch.
Joe was sitting in a wicker chair, throwing a ball
to Muffy in the front yard. He glanced up at me.
“What did you two scheme together?”
“Scheme?” I asked, trying to act like he asked
the most ridiculous question. “We were calling
Rose’s Aunt Bessie seein’ if she could leave early.
Rose is gonna meet her at Violet’s house.”
His brow lowered as he watched Muffy run
toward the porch with the tennis ball looking
ginormous in her mouth. “Where’s she goin’?”
“Shreveport. There’s something goin’ on at a
botanical gardens at an art museum.”
“Huh.”
“Why do you sound so suspicious?” I asked
with plenty of attitude.
“It’s because I’m always suspicious when it
comes to you two.” Muffy bounded up to him and
he tugged the ball from her and threw it again.
Muffy took off running.
“Well, she’d already planned to leave this
afternoon. I just convinced her to leave sooner.
Kate wouldn’t think to look for her there. Besides,
after discovering my present, I think Kate will
likely be sticking close to Henryetta.”
Joe scowled. “I suspect you’re right. Which is
why I need to figure out what to do about you.”
“You don’t have to do anything about me. I’m
going to be investigatin’ what happened to the man
in the basement and why he’s there.”
He turned to face me, his eyes blazing. “If you
think I’ll agree to that, then you—”
 “I’m a grown woman, capable of makin’ my
own decisions. You can’t make me do anything.”
“Neely Kate. Be reasonable.”
“I don’t plan on bein’ stupid, Joe, but I need to
make a call before I decide what to do.”
“Let me guess who you’re callin’.” He didn’t
sound happy about it. He lifted his glance to the
porch ceiling as though asking the good Lord for
patience, then lowered it to me. “I need to go back
down to the basement and see if that guy has any
ID.”
“You’re really gonna leave him down there?” I
asked in disbelief.
His face hardened. “Yeah.”
He didn’t like it, but he was doing it anyway.
For me. The guilt was suffocating, but I couldn’t
bring myself to make him change his mind.
“Go make your call,” he said with a sigh. “I’ll
wait here with Muffy.”
I stared at him, sure I’d heard him wrong.
“Go on before I change my mind.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice. I ran inside and
saw Rose heading down the stairs with a bag in her
hand.
“Is everything a go?” I asked.
 She shifted the strap on her shoulder as she
reached the bottom of the stairs. “Yeah, but this
still doesn’t feel right, Neely Kate.”
“That part of the discussion is done.”
She gave me a worried smile. “You could come
with us.”
I chuckled. “I’m gonna take a pass on that.
Besides, I have two men who will treat me like a
china doll, and I’ll bristle at every second of it.”
A grin tugged at the corners of her lips. “They
love you.”
One of them did. The other… I wasn’t so sure.
But that was a discussion for another time.
“And I love you, Rose,” I said. “Be safe and
have fun.” I pulled her into a tight hug. “Don’t
worry too much. They’ll find her.”
She squeezed me back. “I love you too. If you
change your mind, call or text me and I’ll come
runnin’ back.”
“I know you will.” I broke loose. “Are you goin
to… your friend’s house?”
She flushed. “Yeah.”
“Let me know when you get there so I don’t
worry.”
“Okay.”
 I stood in the doorway and watched her snatch
up Muffy to tell her goodbye. Joe stood and
followed her down the steps, telling her something I
couldn’t hear, but he must have been on his best
behavior because she kissed the top of Muffy’s
head and handed her dog to him. After she got into
her truck, she gave me a long look.
I waved, then she started her engine and headed
for the country road.
As soon as she left, Joe turned and bound up
the front steps. “Okay. Time to get to work. Have
you called him yet?”
“No.”
“Get to it. I’m headed to the basement.” He
brushed past me and strode toward the kitchen and
the door downstairs.
I followed him, grabbing my phone off the
counter, relieved to see it was now charged to sixty
percent. I disconnected the cord from the phone,
then walked to the front porch.
“Neely Kate,” Jed answered immediately the
first ring. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I said, sitting in the chair Joe had
vacated. “I’ve had quite a morning.”
“Is Joe still there?”
 “Yeah, but that’s because Kate left a surprise in
my basement.”
“Kate was in your house?”
“I don’t know if it was her or someone she
hired, but yeah, someone was in the house in the
middle of the night carryin’ out her agenda.”
“You didn’t have the alarm turned on, did
you?” It was more of an accusation than a question.
His harsh tone caught me off guard. “No. Rose
was supposed to come home and—”
“They could have killed you, Neely Kate.
Goddammit! I’ve told you both to turn on that
damned alarm!”
My breath stuck in my chest, fear coursing
through my veins. Jed had never yelled at me since
we’d started seeing each other. Sure, plenty of
times before, but none since. “I’m okay, Jed!”
“I’m coming over.” His tone brooked no
argument.
“You can’t. Joe’s still here.”
“I don’t give a flyin’ fuck. I’m comin’ over.
Now.”
“Why?” I demanded, my past rising up like a
specter. How many men had I been with who had
seemed perfect in the beginning… only to
ultimately turn horribly wrong. “To punish me?”
“Punish you?” he asked in disbelief. He took a
couple of seconds before he said in a much calmer
voice. “God, no, Neely Kate. Punish you? You’re
not a child. I want to see you because I’m freaking
out over how close I came to losin’ you. I need to
see you with my own eyes to convince myself that
you’re okay.”
My bluster deflated like a balloon. “Oh.”
“Do you really think I’d punish you?” he asked,
sounding hurt.
“No… it’s just… you yelled…”
“I’ve yelled at you plenty of times before.”
“That was before we were together.”
Jed sighed. “I’d let this wait until you could
look deep into my eyes so you could see it’s true,
but this can’t wait. I will never hurt you like that,
NK. Never. I know you’ve been so hurt and abused
in the past that you expect people to treat you like
garbage, but I will never treat you like that, do you
hear me?”
Tears flooded my eyes and I nodded my head,
then realized he couldn’t see me. “Yes,” I choked
out.
“I’m still comin’ over,” he said. Then he hung
up.
I pulled the phone away, terrified for a new
reason. Jed was coming over and Joe was still in my
basement.
My brother came out to the front door a few
minutes later and found me on the front porch.
I stood as soon as he walked out the door.
“What did you find?”
“Surprisingly, he had his wallet and two motel
room keys.” He held up a single plastic card with
the logo of the only decent motel in town—the
Holiday Inn.
“Was he a private detective?”
“He didn’t have a license on him, but I got his
name and I plan on runnin’ it as soon as I get to the
office.”
“Won’t that look suspicious? Running his name
before we officially find his body?”
His lips pursed. “I have to look him up, Neely
Kate.”
“There’s another way,” I said, slightly
breathless as I heard a car turning onto the gravel
drive from the county road. I put my hand on Joe’s
arm. “I’m beggin’ you to trust me, Joe.”
His gaze shot to the approaching car. “Is that
your mysterious boyfriend?”
“He’s worried about me, but I need you to
promise that you’ll give him a chance. Please.”
His gaze dropped down to me. “Now you’ve
got me concerned.”
“Joe. Please.”
His head jerked with a tight nod as the car came
to a stop. As soon as Joe saw who got out of the
car, I knew all bets were off.
 CHAPTER 10

“
J esus Christ, Neely Kate,” Joe swore
under his breath. “Skeeter Malcolm’s
right-hand man?”
The door opened, and Jed slid out, shutting the
door as he strode toward us with determination in
his eyes.
“Just give him a chance,” I pleaded.
Joe’s shoulders stiffened as Jed climbed the
steps. I expected Jed to address my brother first,
but he wrapped me up in his arms, crushing me to
his chest.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doin’ with
my sister?” Joe demanded.
So much for giving Jed a chance.
 “Are you okay?” Jed asked, holding me tighter.
“Really?”
“She’s fine,” Joe said in a harsh tone. “I’ve got
it covered.”
Jed ignored him, tilting up my face to look at
me. “You’re sure they never got to your room?”
Even though I’d figured out on the phone that
he was worried, the fear in his eyes caught me off
guard. “No. As far as I can tell, they snuck in, did
their business in the basement, then left.”
His arms tightened around me. “What business
in the basement?”
I took a breath. “That’s why Joe’s still here.”
“Don’t you dare tell him a thing,” Joe said.
Then he pointed his finger at Jed. “You get the hell
out of here.”
Jed’s face hardened and every part of him
tensed. “I’m not leavin’ her.”
I pulled free from Jed and went to my brother,
grabbing his upper arm. “I’m not keepin’ this from
him. He’s part of this, like it or not.” When I could
see I hadn’t swayed him, I said, “He would die for
me, Joe.”
“Those are mighty big words,” Joe countered.
“What proof do you have of that?”
 I turned to glance at Jed and his rigid face, then
back to my brother. “He’s standin’ here in front of
you, isn’t he? That seems proof enough to me.”
Joe’s lips pressed together as he shot daggers of
hate at my boyfriend.
Jed held his ground and I knew I had to take a
stand too. “I’m not changin’ my mind, Joe. He’s
stayin’. The sooner you accept it, the sooner we
can get to work.”
He kept his death glare on Jed a few seconds
longer. Then he let out a string of curses before he
said in defeat, “Are you sure about this, Neely
Kate? He’s worked with Skeeter Malcolm for years.
He’s done things…”
“I know he has,” I said softly. “But so have
you. And so have I, and look at the two of us now.
We’re fightin’ like hell to leave the bad parts of us
in the past, and so is Jed. He doesn’t work for
Skeeter anymore, and he’s startin’ a legit business.”
Joe looked torn. The reminder of his own sordid
past helped, but then anger filled his eyes again. “Is
this some sort of joke for you and Malcolm?” Joe
asked. “You screw the chief deputy sheriff’s sister
and laugh about it at the pool hall with all the other
derelicts?”
 I gasped. “Joe!”
But Jed’s face turned red and his hands fisted at
his sides. “I don’t give a fuck if you’re her brother
or even the sheriff himself, but if you ever talk
about Neely Kate in such a derogatory way again,
I’ll beat the ever-lovin’ shit out of you.”
Joe’s eyes widened. “You really do care about
her.”
“That’s what she’s been tryin’ to tell you.”
Some of the fight bled out of him, though his hands
still fisted at his sides. “I can understand why you
might think different, but my threat still stands if
you disrespect her again.”
“Okay,” I said, thankful they hadn’t come to
blows. “If that’s all settled, we need to tell Jed
what’s goin’ on.”
Joe shot me a dark look, then said, “You’re the
one who’s gung ho to tell him. Go ahead. I’m gonna
call the office and tell them I’m takin’ a personal
day.” He glanced down at Muffy, who had been
cowering under a chair watching it all. “Come on,
Muff. Let’s go make sure there’s nothing in the
barn.”
Joe tromped down the steps with Muffy right
behind him.
 As they rounded the corner, Jed said, “What’s
in your basement, Neely Kate?”
I took a deep breath. “The body of a man I
don’t recognize.”
His mouth parted and he stared at me in shock.
“Why hasn’t Joe brought in more men?”
“He doesn’t want to report it yet.”
“Why the hell not?” he asked, his eyes
darkening.
“Because there was a note from Kate pinned to
his suit. She said he was a peace offering and she’s
lookin’ forward to our family reunion.”
Some of the color leached from Jed’s face “So
it was a threat.”
“Or she’s tryin’ to make things right in her own
sick way. How was she when you left her yesterday
afternoon?”
He took a deep breath, then pushed it out.
“That’s complicated.”
“No, Jed,” I said, growing irritated. “I need to
know. Joe knows I went to see her yesterday, but he
doesn’t know you spent time alone with her. I need
to know what kind of mood she was in when she
left.” Then I added, “And if you helped her
escape.”
 His jaw locked, and a vein stood out on his
forehead. “You think I’d help that maniac escape?
When I know she’s a threat to you?”
“I don’t know, Jed,” I said, my frustration
rising. “Maybe you would if you thought she’d go
far away and I wouldn’t have to go see her
anymore.”
“You’re right.” His face softened. “If I trusted
her to keep her word, I might have done exactly
that. But Kate Simmons is a lying, conniving bitch,
and I don’t trust her to leave you alone.” He pulled
me into a hug. “She was smug when I left. I’d
gotten information from her, but she was actin’ like
she had the upper hand. Still, I had no idea she was
planning to escape. Now, why is Joe keepin’ this
quiet?”
“I told him everything.”
Grabbing my upper arms, he looked down at
me. “What do you mean everything?”
“I told him what I did in Ardmore.”
He took a few seconds to process the news.
“How did he take it?”
“He said he’d do everything in his power to
protect me. Which is part of the reason he’s not
reporting the body. He wants to find out more about
this guy before we go down to the basement to find
it again.”
“You both realize that body’s gonna start
stinkin’ soon?”
“You think we should report it?” I asked in
surprise.
“No, I think I should get rid of it.”
“Jed.”
“Nobody’s gettin’ rid of anything,” Joe said,
coming back around the corner. “Although I might
like to investigate where you were plannin’ on
leavin’ him. I might find some interestin’ things
there.”
Jed’s arm tightened around my back as he
turned to face Joe, snugging me into his side. “Let’s
get one thing straight, Simmons,” Jed said. “I will
do damn near anything for Neely Kate, even if that
includes workin’ with you. But she comes first. If
you and I disagree on something, I’m goin’ with my
gut. I will protect her at all costs.”
“Do you love her?” Joe asked bluntly.
Jed stiffened. “I care about her a great deal.”
“I didn’t ask you if you care about her. I asked
if you love her.”
Jed looked downright pissed. “I think my
feelings for her are pretty obvious no matter what
phrasing we use.”
My heart dropped to the floor. I was falling
head over heels in love with Jed Carlisle, and he
cared a great deal for me. I wondered anew if a
large part of his motivation was his own deep
involvement and less about his feelings for me.
Jed dropped his hold on me. “We’re wastin’
time. Kate’s loose, planning something for Neely
Kate, and there’s a dead man in the basement. We
need to keep Neely Kate safe from your deranged
sister and find out more about that guy. Who is
he?”
“Neil Franken. From Dallas, Texas.”
“Did he have a cell phone?” Jed asked.
“Yeah, but I didn’t touch it. It’s evidence.”
Jed’s face hardened. “I need to see that phone.”
Joe blocked the doorway. “And I’m not lettin’
you take it.”
“I’m not takin’ it. I’m lookin’ at it. And don’t
worry about me destroying evidence or leavin’ a
trace of me bein’ here. I’m no amateur.”
“I know all about you, Carlisle,” Joe sneered.
“Which is why I’m none too thrilled you’re sleepin’
with my sister.”
 I almost told him we weren’t sleepin’ together,
but Jed spoke before I could.
“Good thing I didn’t ask your permission.”
“Stop your fightin’!” I said. “Joe, if Jed says he
needs to look at his phone, then let him. You know
he’ll be careful.”
“Fine,” Joe grunted. “Let me get some gloves
out of my car.” He stomped down the steps again to
his car, then opened the trunk and pulled out
several pairs of latex gloves. When he reached the
porch, he tossed a couple to Jed. “I’m watchin’
what you do.”
“Fine by me.” Jed walked into the house, then
tromped down the basement stairs with me, Joe
following behind. Joe shut the kitchen door to keep
Muffy from coming with us.
“Where’s the body?” Jed asked when he
reached the bottom.
“In the darkroom,” I said.
He rounded the corner and reached the room in
several purposeful strides, pausing at the room’s
entrance. “The night-light’s out.”
“You’re mighty familiar with Neely Kate and
Rose’s house,” Joe said dryly.
Jed shot him a smart-ass look.
 My brother wasn’t backing down. “Do you
happen to know anything about the deadbolt that’s
been installed in that room?”
I knew it had been too much to hope that Joe
wouldn’t notice.
Jed challenged him with a look as he pulled his
own phone out of his front jeans pocket with his
gloved hands and turned on the flashlight. “I was
the one who installed it.”
“What the hell for?” Joe demanded.
Jed scoffed. “Isn’t it obvious?”
I shot Joe a look of warning, then moved to
Jed’s side. “I’ll hold your phone.”
Jed searched my face, his eyes filled with
worry. “Are you up to it?”
My back stiffened. “I’m made of sterner stuff
than this.”
He gave me a worried grin. “That’s my girl.”
He leaned over and gave me a quick kiss, then
handed me his phone.
Ignoring Joe’s glare, I shone the light on the
dead man propped up against the wall. Jed searched
the body, then pulled a phone out of the guy’s front
pants pocket.
Joe stood behind me, literally breathing down
my neck.
Picking up the man’s right index finger, Jed
pressed the lock button on the phone. The screen
burst with light as it unlocked.
“Neely Kate,” Jed said. “Open my phone and
be ready to take photos.”
“Lookin’ for anything in particular?” Joe asked.
“Somebody called Neely Kate twice yesterday.
I aim to find out if it was this guy.” He scrolled
through the phone, and his lips pressed together.
“Yep. It was him.”
“He was stayin’ at the Holiday Inn,” I said.
“Joe’s got a key card to his room.”
Jed’s gaze flicked up to Joe. “I’m gonna need
that card.”
“Just hold up,” Joe said. “Nobody’s getting
anything right now. Just take your damn photos.
Then we’ll discuss it.”
“Neely Kate,” Jed said. “Get a shot of this.”
“Your phone’s locked. Do you want to enter the
code?”
Jed scrolled the dead guy’s screen as he said,
“Two, one, eight, five, zero, one.”
“You don’t mind me hearin’ that?” Joe asked.
“I’ll be changin’ the code soon enough,” Jed
said dryly. “Even though I’m partial to that one.”
Then he shot me a quick glance before turning his
attention back to his task.
I took photos of multiple screens of phone calls
the man had made, as well as his contacts list,
which wasn’t as large as I would have expected for
a man who was likely a private investigator.
He opened his text and interest filled his eyes.
“He’s supposed to meet someone at noon today at
the Blue Plate Diner. The truck stop outside of
town.”
“Who set it up?” Joe asked. “The dead guy or
the person he’s meeting?”
“The dead guy. One of us has to show up and
find out who it is.”
“Anything else interesting in his texts?” Joe
asked.
“Yeah . . . the fact he hardly has any texts at all.
This is either a new phone or he’s wiped out the old
texts.”
“Probably the latter,” Joe said.
“I’m gonna look at his photos next.” Jed
opened the app and flinched when the first image
popped up—a photo of me on my front porch.
There were multiple shots of me—in the
landscaping office, having lunch with Rose,
walking Muffy behind the house.
“He’s been stalkin’ you,” Joe said in a tight
voice.
“But only a couple of days from the look of it
based on her clothes,” Jed said.
Sure enough, he had photos of me from
yesterday and the day before.
Jed scrolled through more images, then stopped.
“This photo is in Ardmore. That’s Zelda’s trailer.”
I leaned closer. Sure enough, he had photos of
her trailer, but I didn’t see her old gold Charger in
the driveway. Jed opened up the information about
the photo. “He was there three days ago. We need
to call Zelda and find out if she talked to them.”
“Who’s Zelda?” Joe asked, leaning over to
look.
Jed answered, “The woman who took Neely
Kate in when she went back to Ardmore after she
graduated.”
Joe’s brow lifted, but he kept quiet.
Jed resumed his photo scrolling task, pausing
when he got to several photos outside of my old
best-friend-turned-traitor’s apartment, Stella.
During my trip back to Ardmore, Jed had helped
me realize that Stella hadn’t been my friend at all
but instead had been in cahoots with Branson.
Visiting her at her apartment had driven his point
home.
“This guy was puttin’ things together, Jed,” I
said, my heart racing.
“We don’t know that, Neely Kate,” Jed said in
a soothing tone. “All we know is that he was
snooping around. We don’t know what he found.”
“You know Stella ratted me out.”
Jed scrolled past several more photos, then
stopped. “Not necessarily.”
There on the screen was a photo of Branson
with Stella and her baby, Crystal, sitting in a fast-
food restaurant. The baby’s face was filthy and the
once-white T-shirt she was wearing was a dingy
gray and covered in stains.
“Crystal,” I said, my distress evident. “Stella
got her back.” Jed had called DFS on her after we’d
dropped by to visit Stella and found the baby
covered in dried food and poop. It had killed me to
leave that sweet baby with her meth-addicted
mother, especially after Stella had admitted she
only wanted the baby to collect her welfare… and
the fact Stella was trying to rope Branson in, as the
baby was supposedly his.
Jed’s gaze lifted to mine, his eyes full of
compassion. “We can’t think about the baby right
now, NK. One problem at a time, okay?” he asked
gently. “But I promise you, when this is all said and
done, we’ll make sure she’s okay.”
His face was blurry through my tears as I
nodded, and Joe was surprisingly quiet.
Jed scrolled through several more photos. “I’ve
given Branson some thought since we left
Ardmore… about whether he’d talk to anyone
lookin’ into Manchester’s death.” He looked up at
me. “I think he’s got too much to lose if he blabs.”
“You’re supposin’ no one knows about the
contract,” Joe said. “Do you have a copy?”
Jed hesitated for a moment. “No. I searched the
bag and the money, and there was nothing there.
And it definitely wasn’t on his person.”
Joe turned to me. “Does Branson have it?”
“The last time I saw the contract was the day
before I was supposed to hook up with the guy.
Branson tried to get me to sign it, and I refused. I
don’t know if the guy signed it, though. If it’s not
signed, it’s not legal, right?”
“None of it would be legal,” Joe said. “But it
could prove intent on Branson’s part as well as the
pervert he sold you to. Depending on the wording
in the contract, it could have shown you were in
danger and acted in self-defense. We need to know
if Branson talked, and if so, what he said and to
who.”
“We need to go to this guy’s hotel room,” I
said. “If he’s legit, wouldn’t he keep notes on a
laptop or a tablet?”
“That’s presuming he’s legit,” Joe said. “And
that he has a laptop or tablet and that we can get
into it. That’s a lot of presumptions.”
“We still need to check,” Jed said. “If he has a
laptop and it’s newer, it might take a fingerprint to
unlock it.” His gaze lifted to Joe’s.
“Shit,” Joe groaned. “I might be stuck workin’
with you, but I draw the line at cutting off a damn
finger.”
 CHAPTER 11

J ed snorted. “No one said a damn thing

about cutting off a finger. We’ll search
the hotel room, and if we find a device,
then we bring it here.”
“What if he was checking out today?” I asked.
“Won’t they collect his things? When someone
goes lookin’ for him, they’ll notice his computer or
tablet is missing.”
Jed pressed his lips together. “Someone killed
him, and Kate was part of it. It’s not outside the
realm of possibility for them to take it.” He
grimaced. “And for all we know, they did.”
“No,” Joe said, shaking his head. “They left his
phone. I think they would have taken it too. In fact,
we can’t take that phone from here. When we
officially find him, his phone is gonna ping from his
location.
Jed stared at me for a moment. “I have a laptop
in the car. I’ll transfer the information with it.”
“Whoa.” Joe held up his hands. “No one’s
transferring anything.”
“This phone’s at twenty-one percent,” Jed said,
sounding exasperated. “And I really don’t want to
risk charging it. All of this is risky enough. We need
to get what we can now, and the best way to do that
is to copy the information so we can access it
later.”
I expected Joe to protest, but he let out a curse.
“Go get your laptop. Neely Kate, you stay with
me.”
Oh boy.
Jed gave me a questioning glance, but I nodded.
I was gonna have to deal with Joe at some point.
Might as well get it over with while we were
standing over a dead body. Since Joe was wearing
gloves too, Jed handed him the phone and strode
out the door.
Joe waited while we heard Jed tromp up the
stairs, then turned to me with a dark expression.
“Jed Carlisle.”
“Is that a question?” I asked with my hand
propped on my hip. “Or are you tellin’ me his name
thinkin’ I don’t already know it?”
“Neely Kate.” The disappointment in his voice
hurt.
“Don’t you use that tone with me, Joe. I could
say Hilary Wilder or Dena Breene.”
“Neither one of them were known criminals.”
“Hilary kidnapped Rose and planned to kill
her!”
“Then let me add that I didn’t know she was a
criminal at the time. You walked into this
relationship fully aware of what he is.”
“I told you that he’s not working for Skeeter
anymore, Joe. He’s opening a business.”
“What kind of business?”
That question burned. “I don’t know.”
His brow rose. “You’re in a relationship with
this man, and you don’t know.”
“He doesn’t know everything about my life.”
“But he sure knows about the important parts,
huh?”
“Are you purposely tryin’ to hurt me, Joe?”
His expression softened. “No, Neely Kate. I’m
worried. Jed Carlisle has done some very bad
things. I’m sure he’s committed a few murders.”
“Maybe he has,” I said, “but as I pointed out
earlier, so have I. So have you. I know him. He’s a
good man. Do you have any idea how he ran the
Bunny Ranch?”
“You know how he ran it?”
“Yeah, I do. I know he took care of those
women.”
A snide look crossed his face. “I bet he did.”
“Not like that,” I said in disgust. “Most strip
clubs make the dancer pay to work, but the Bunny
Ranch didn’t. And they paid health benefits. Most
of them are single mothers just tryin’ to provide for
their kids since this stinkin’ county doesn’t have
any jobs worth crap.”
“Didn’t?” Joe asked. “Past tense?”
“I hear the new manager is changin’ the rules.”
“And how do you know how they’re running
things now if Jed supposedly left?”
I sighed. “It’s a long story that involves an
etiquette class, but trust me on that one, and that’s
not the point. When Jed managed it, the Bunny
Ranch lost money, just to make sure those women
could feed and clothe their babies. That sounds like
a good man to me.”
Joe’s eyes narrowed. “Why would Skeeter
Malcolm lose money?”
Oh crap. Jed said Skeeter didn’t want anyone to
know that.
His head tilted to the side as he studied me. “Is
Malcolm laundering money at his strip club?”
“What? How the heck would—”
“Don’t answer that,” Jed said in the doorway.
While he’d been noisy going up the stairs, he’d
been stealthy going down. Most likely for this very
reason—to catch me ratting him out to Joe.
I turned to him with pleading eyes, but his gaze
remained firmly on my brother. “I think we have
more important things to deal with.” He had a
laptop tucked under his arm, along with a cord in
his hand. He plugged the cord into the phone, then
set the laptop on the table. Once he opened it, he
booted it up, then plugged the other end of the cord
into his USB port. “I think it’s best to take it all,
then sort through it later.”
“And what do you propose to do with the
information after we sort through it?” Joe asked.
Jed slowly turned to face my brother with a
deadly look in his eyes. “As I previously stated,
Neely Kate’s safety comes first.” He gestured to
the small drive inserted into the USB port on the
other side of his laptop. “I’m transferring it to this
flash drive, and after we examine it, we’ll decide
what to do with it—be it to keep it or destroy it.”
Joe’s face remained expressionless as he moved
closer to the screen to see what Jed was
transferring. After several seconds, Joe said, “His
phone is surprisingly clean. Where are the game
apps? Where’s his music?”
“I suspect this isn’t his personal phone,” Jed
said. “It’s likely a work phone.”
I watched as Jed continued transferring files.
“Then all the more reason to search that motel
room before housekeeping realizes he’s gone.”
“That is if he planned to stay in his room last
night,” Joe said. “He may have checked out
already.”
Jed glanced up at him. “I doubt it. There were
photos of Neely Kate here at the farm with Muffy
last night. After I finish this transfer, I’m headin’
over there to see what I find.”
“I’m goin’ with you,” I said.
“No,” Joe said in an authoritative tone. “You’re
not goin’ anywhere near that hotel, Neely Kate.”
 “Let’s get something straight,” I said with
plenty of attitude, pointing a finger in front of his
face. “You had it right when you said this was
about me. Which means I get a say in what I do,
and I say I’m goin’.”
“Neely Kate,” Joe said. “It’s a bad idea. If
you’re snooping around the Holiday Inn, and we
find the body here, it’s gonna bite you in the ass.”
“No,” Jed said, still working on the transfer. “I
think she should come, but she needs a disguise.
And I know just the one.” He turned and gave me a
wink.
“What disguise?” Joe asked, his voice as cold
as an arctic wind.
I knew exactly what Jed was referring to. Back
in February, he, Rose, and I had met a group of
dangerous criminals while Rose was still incognito
as the Lady in Black. The criminal world knew Jed
was protecting her, but I could have clued them in
to her identity, so I’d gone in disguise. “A black
wig. It makes me look completely different. No one
will ever know it’s me.”
“We’ll leave the questions about how you’ve
previously used this wig for later.” Then he added,
“Or maybe not at all.” After he shuddered, he said,
“I still don’t like it. I’d go myself, but it’s too
dangerous if someone catches me snoopin’ him out
before we find him in your basement.”
“I can get in and out without getting caught,”
Jed said. “And there’s no way in hell I’ll put Neely
Kate at risk.” He glanced down at the computer.
“This is almost done. Why don’t you start goin’
through the data and see if there’s anything else
useful—like who this guy’s supposed to meet at
noon—while Neely Kate and I go check the hotel
room.”
Joe looked downright pissed. He dug out the
key card and held it out but didn’t let go. “Against
my better judgement, I’m trustin’ you with my
sister’s life. She’s the only real family I’ve got now,
so I’d appreciate it if you treat her with kid gloves.”
Jed held on to the other end of the card.
“Always.”
Joe gave a short nod and let go. “The sooner
you check it out, the better all the way around. If
you leave soon, you can get there before eight and
hopefully before housekeeping shows up.”
I moved closer to Joe and threw an arm around
his neck. “Thank you, Joe.”
“Don’t thank me yet. We’re still in the thick of
it, and Kate’s on the loose. I suspect she’s got
someone watchin’ us now, so be careful.”
“I’ll watch for a tail,” Jed said. “And if I get
one, I’ll lose ‘em.”
It sounded like a great plan, but I suspected we
wouldn’t be losing Kate for long.

THIRTY MINUTES LATER , we pulled into the Holiday

Inn’s back parking lot.
I gave myself a final once-over in the visor
mirror, resisting the urge to scratch under my
bobbed, black wig. I was wearing jeans and a tank
top along with a pair of sandals from Rose’s closet.
I looked nothing like myself.
“Did you find out any more about Neil
Franken?” Jed asked.
He’d had me do an internet search on the way
to the hotel, and basically I’d found squat. “No
Facebook account. No social media at all,” I said.
“And he’s not pulling up as a PI. He’s not pulling
up as anything. Are you sure that driver’s license is
real?”
“We’ll find out soon enough. I plan on doin’ a
more thorough investigation when we finish here.”
“Surely Joe’s lookin’ into him.”
“And I’ll be more than happy to hear what he
finds, but I wouldn’t put it past him to withhold
information from me.”
“Why would he do that?” I asked in confusion.
“Because he doesn’t trust me, and it’s stickin’
in his craw that not only are you datin’ me, but he’s
stuck with me in this investigation.”
I was sure he was right about Joe not trusting
him, but it worked both ways, not that I was
surprised. “Are you mad at me?”
His mouth parted. “Why would I be mad at
you?”
“Because Joe knows about us… and for
draggin’ you into the whole thing.”
Jed turned to me. “Joe was gonna find out
sooner or later. After discovering that psycho is
loose, there was no way in hell I was not comin’
over to see you, and it was obvious Joe wasn’t
leavin’. It couldn’t be helped.”
“But you could have let Joe handle this himself,
Jed. You still can. I know you’re tryin’ to make a
break from the criminal world and this could set
you back.”
 “Neely Kate,” he said, sounding exasperated.
“I’m in this. I’m not leavin’.”
But was he in this to save his own booty or
because he cared about me? I supposed at the
moment it didn’t matter.
He opened the door and I followed as he
walked across the parking lot to a back entrance.
“How do you plan to find his room?” I asked.
“Good ole’ trial and error. We’ll hold up the
card to every door until we find one that works.”
“That could take forever.”
He pulled out another key card. “Then it’s a
good thing I took the other key card when I took
out his phone.” He handed it to me. “You can start
on the second floor.”
“Don’t we need gloves?” I asked, holding up
my hand but not taking the card.
“We’re not leaving the key cards anywhere
they can be found. Just don’t touch anything. If you
find the room, push open the handle with a piece of
clothing, then go inside. Then call me and wait for
me to show up.”
I took the card from him. “Okay.”
“Use the stairwell and, if possible, don’t let
anyone see what you’re up to.”
 I shot him a wry grin. “I’m not a total amateur.”
He grew serious. “Be careful. We don’t want to
make anyone suspicious.”
I searched his eyes. “Thanks for trustin’ me.”
“You’re good at this stuff, NK. Of course I trust
you. We’re gonna protect you.”
I only wished I believed that.
 CHAPTER 12

T he second floor was empty when I

emerged from the stairwell. Since it was
at the end of the long hallway, it was easy to figure
out where to start.
I held the card up toward the reader on the first
door across from me and waited until the red light
showed up, then moved on to the next. I was
halfway down the hall when a door a couple of
rooms down opened. A middle-aged man in a dress
shirt and pants walked out, tugging his rolling carry-
on bag behind him. He gave me a slight nod and
headed toward the elevator.
I took my time strolling down the hall,
pretending that my room was at the opposite end.
When I reached the last room, he turned and
glanced at me. I inwardly cringed when I saw the
do not disturb sign hanging from the handle, but
swiped the keycard over the reader. To my surprise,
the light turned green.
Crazy enough, I’d found the right room.
The man got in the elevator as I used my
forearm to push down the door handle lever. As
soon as I walked in, I tugged my cell phone out of
my pocket and texted Jed.
Room 241 Then I added, Do not disturb sign on
handle. It’s already there.
As I stuffed my phone back into my pocket, I
took in the disheveled room. A closed laptop sat on
the desk and a carry-on suitcase was on top of the
dresser. A quick peek in the bathroom revealed a
toiletry bag on the counter and a dirty towel on the
floor.
A few seconds later, the room door opened. I
jumped as I spun around to face Jed.
“Good work,” he said. “Did anyone see you?”
I made a face. “Yeah, but I think it was okay. A
man came out of his room when I was about
halfway down the hall, so I walked to the end of
the hall. When he still hadn’t gotten on the
elevator, I swiped the card and amazingly enough, I
got in.”
He gave me a grim look. “You should be fine,
and I doubt he could pick you out of a lineup if
anyone questioned him.” Moving deeper into the
room, he said, “From the look of the bed, I’d say
Franken was snatched here. Maybe the culprits put
the do not disturb sign on the door to buy Kate
more time.”
“Why buy more time if she had the body
planted in my basement?”
“It’s Kate. Your guess is as good as mine.” He
walked over to the suitcase while he slipped on a
pair of gloves, then lifted the lid. He began to
carefully sift through the contents while I used the
hem of my shirt to open the closet.
“There’s a suit and three dress shirts in here.”
“Hmm... a couple of days’ worth of clothes in
here,” he said. “Jeans and T-shirts. Five clean pairs
of underwear in the suitcase.”
“And a pair of dirty underwear on the closet
floor along with a polo shirt,” I said. “And a duffel
bag.”
He remained silent as he walked over and
grabbed the bag, then delved through the contents.
“More clothes. Why two sets?”
Something red on the floor caught my eye.
“Maybe the struggle on the bed wasn’t the kind
you were thinkin’ of,” I said, pointing to the floor.
“Looks like he had a visitor.”
Jed moved next to me, his mouth twisting to
one side. “A pair of panties…so it could have been
a tussle in the sheets.”
“Looks like it. Maybe that’s why he put up the
do not disturb sign,” I said. “There’s a dirty towel
on the floor in the bathroom. Surely he’d want maid
service.”
“He tossed his dirty underwear on the closet
floor. We’re not lookin’ at a neat freak,” Jed
countered.
“Maybe he was hidin’ something from
housekeeping.”
“Maybe.” He moved over to the desk and
leaned over the laptop. “Jackpot. The laptop has
fingerprint recognition. We need to take it with us.”
He opened the desk drawer, then glanced over his
shoulder at me. “There’s an extra pair of gloves in
my back pocket. Put ’em on and search the
nightstand.”
I reached into his back pocket to retrieve the
gloves, my fingers lingering longer than was
appropriate.
Jed released a low groan. “You drive a man to
distraction, Neely Kate.”
“Do I?” I asked with a hint of attitude as I
tugged them out the rest of the way.
He glanced back at me in surprise. “You think
you don’t?”
I walked over to the nightstand. “Now is not the
time to have this discussion, Jed.”
“Neely Kate.” He turned fully around to face
me.
I shook my head. “Not now.”
There was nothing on top of the nightstand, so I
opened the drawer. “I found his car key fob.”
“He didn’t have one on him,” Jed said.
“Anything else?”
I noticed a piece of paper in the nightstand
drawer underneath the fob. I gasped when I
realized it was a note and who it was from.
“What did you find?”
I picked up the paper and read, “Following the
breadcrumbs. Be sure to find your prize and
remember what happened to Gretel.” My gaze
lifted to his. “Love, Kate.”
 “She signed this one?”
I nodded.
“She wanted you to come here. What prize?”
He spun at the waist, glancing around the room.
“She’s hidden something here for you.” He
returned to the suitcase. “Search everything.”
“What do you think we’re lookin’ for?”
“I have no fuckin’ idea,” he growled, but I
knew he wasn’t upset with me, at least not directly.
This particular frustration was directed toward my
sister.
I searched the nightstand then the bathroom as
Jed took everything out of the suitcase and
searched the pockets of both the bag and the
clothing.
“Nothing in the bathroom,” I said a minute
later. “I even searched the inside of the back of the
toilet.”
I checked the pockets of the clothes in the
closet; then we both checked all the drawers and
behind the artwork and mirror on the wall, then
under the TV. When that didn’t turn up anything,
we tugged back the bedding and the pillows,
leaving nothing but the mattress.
“Surely it’s not the panties,” I said in disgust,
although I wouldn’t put it past her.
Jed stared at the bed for a second, then grabbed
the side of the mattress and lifted up.
There in the middle of the bed frame was a
large manila envelope with my name written in
Kate’s scrolling script.
I snatched up the thick packet and Jed lowered
the mattress.
“There must be fifty pages in here,” I said as I
opened the flap and pulled out the contents. On top
was another handwritten note in Kate’s script.
Since what happened on a bed is what got us
both here, it seemed fitting to hide this under
Chad’s. I think you’ll particularly like the tabbed
section. ;)
“Who’s Chad?” I asked.
Jed hesitated a moment. “Pearce Manchester’s
brother.”
My gaze jerked up to his. “So Chad Manchester
is who’s really in my basement?”
His expression was dark. “I don’t know. It
seems more likely that Manchester hired the guy in
your basement.”
My blood ran cold as I flipped to the next page
—it was a private investigator’s report from a firm
in Little Rock, who according to the documents,
had been hired by Kate to look into the activities of
Neely Kate Rivers in Ardmore, Oklahoma, seven
years prior.
I sat on the mattress, and Jed sat next to me and
watched in silence as I started flipping through
pages. Interviews with Beasley, Branson, and
Stella. None of them had told the investigator
anything about Pearce Manchester, but they had
told the investigator that I’d slept with a lot of men
for money while working at a strip club. And that
I’d abruptly left town and they’d never heard from
me again. The investigator had even tried to talk to
Zelda, but she’d told them to go to hell. The date
listed suggested it was the guy who had come to ask
her questions a few months prior. There was a
separate document, not part of the investigator’s
report, detailing Kate’s visit to Beasley in prison
last fall. She’d asked about my involvement in his
accident, and he’d been cagey with his response,
then told her to ask me about the azaleas. While he
didn’t confirm I’d been part of something more
damning than his DUI, he also didn’t deny it.
Next was a page with a plastic sticky tab on
top. It was another private investigator’s summary,
this one from a firm in Virginia, hired to investigate
Jenny Lynn Rivers.
My mother.
In the pages that followed were multiple photos
of my mother over the past two decades—some
including photos of me when I was a child—and a
list of her whereabouts covering from the time
she’d been in Ardmore to dumping me off, and her
five-year-long cross-country trip to the East Coast
until she’d settled in West Virginia.
The last pages were a transcript of my mother’s
conversation with Kate last fall, which had
apparently been recorded. The lines of the bottom
of the last page caught my eye.
Kate: Neely Kate’s pregnant, what do you
think of that? You’re gonna be a grandmother,
Jenny Lynn.
Jenny Lynn Rivers: Tell her to get rid of it
while she still can. It’s a hell of a lot harder to ditch
’em after they’re born.
Kate: Any other message you want me to tell
her?
Jenny Lynn Rivers: Tell her… (Long, tearful
pause.) I know she’ll never get rid of it. She’s got
more love in her pinky toe than I’ve got in my
whole damn body. (Long pause while she lights
another cigarette.) She’ll be a better mother than I
ever will, but don’t tell her that. She needs to be
free of me for good. Don’t tell her where I am. Just
let her live her life. (Another pause.) Unless she
comes into some Simmons money… if she does, let
me know and I’ll ask her for a payoff to leave her
alone.
**End Interview**
Jed wrapped an arm around my upper back,
cupping my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Neely Kate.”
I brushed a tear from my cheek with the back
of my wrist. “That was sixty seconds we didn’t
have time to waste.” I got to my feet, leaving Jed’s
arm to fall to his side. “We need to get the laptop
back to the farm and get it opened so we can see
what Neil Franken found and hopefully find out
Chad Manchester’s connection to all of this.”
“But what you read about your mother… you
can’t just sweep that under the rug.”
I turned back to him with a glare. “My mother
is a worthless parasite. As far as I’m concerned,
she’s dead.”
If only I could get my heart to agree.
“Okay,” he said as he stood. “Let’s take the key
fob and try to figure out which car this belongs to,
then do a quick search.” He snatched it from the
drawer and slid it into his pocket.
The hall was empty when we left the room. Jed
carried the laptop under his arm, and I held on to
the envelope. We took off our gloves and stuck
them in our pockets, then headed down the long
hall to the stairwell by the back door we’d come in
through, not encountering anyone the entire way.
When we walked outside, I held out my hand.
“Give me the key. I should be the one to search his
car. No one will recognize me in this wig.”
The look on Jed’s face suggested he wanted to
disagree but couldn’t. “Fine, but call me when you
get inside.”
I nodded and put my glove back on my right
hand. He pulled out the key fob with a glove and
placed it in my hand. “We’ll talk about that report
later.”
I responded in a chilly tone. “I’ve wasted years
pining over that woman, and she doesn’t want
anything to do with me. What’s there to discuss?”
Sympathy filled his eyes. “Neely Kate.”
I straightened my back. “We have much bigger
fish to fry. I’m gonna check out his car.”
 I clicked the lock button on the key fob several
times, glancing around, and searched out the car’s
beeping response. There it was, a sedan parked at
the opposite end of the lot from where we’d
parked.
“Start inside, then check the trunk,” he said,
still looking concerned.
I nodded and started to walk away, but he
grabbed my wrist and hauled me back, staring
down at my face. “You deserve better than what
your mother has given you.”
I shook my head, turning away. “I’m not doin’
this right now.”
Or ever. But if I tacked that one on, he’d likely
try to continue the conversation.
I tugged free and walked over to the car. A
quick click on the key fob unlocked the door, but as
I reached for the driver’s door handle, I stopped
short. Glancing back at Jed who was striding
toward his car, I pulled out my phone and called
him.
“I think this was where Neil Franken was taken.
There’s blood on the ground and on the car door.”
“Take photos, then go around to the other side.”
“Are you sure?”
 “We need to check out his car. He could have
notes inside. We don’t want to leave anything that
could tie this to you behind.”
I grimaced. “Okay.”
“Let me do it, NK.”
“No,” I said more forcefully than I’d intended.
“It’s my mess, I’ll clean it up.” I switched over to
my photo app and snapped a few pics, then walked
around the front of the car and got inside the
passenger side, keeping Jed on the line as I pulled
on my other glove. “I don’t see anything out in the
open.” I opened the glove compartment and pulled
out the registration paperwork. “The car belongs to
Chad Manchester. Why would this guy be driving
his client’s car?”
“Good question. Get photos of that too.
Anything else?”
I moved the car manual to the side. “The glove
box is clean.” I snapped photos of the registration,
then folded down the sun visors. “I found some
convenience store receipts.”
“Do they give locations?” Jed said.
“Ardmore. Texarkana. Both for gas and
snacks.”
“We can set up locations and times he was
there. Get photos of those too. Anything else?”
The edge of a small white card was tucked into
a pocket in the driver’s visor, which had been
hidden by the receipts. “There’s something in the
visor pocket.” I reached up and tugged it out. “Oh
crap. It’s a driver’s license.”
“Whose?”
I leaned closer. “Chad Manchester.”
“Does the photo look like the guy in the
basement? He could have multiple identities.”
I stared at the license, fear racing through my
blood. This guy looked nothing like the man in my
basement and a whole lot like the man I’d killed in
Ardmore.
“Neely Kate?”
I shuddered and tried to get myself together.
“No. He’s not in my basement. Chad Manchester is
younger and thinner than that guy.” I paused.
“Chad Manchester looks a lot like his brother.”
“Shit,” Jed muttered. “I’ve got a really bad
feelin’ about this. Get photos of the receipts and
license, then get out of there.”
“Let me check the rest of the car.”
“Fuck the rest of the car. Get the photos and
get out, Neely Kate.”
 There was no way I was leaving behind
anything that could tie me to this. I felt under both
seats and glanced in the backseat. “I’m already
done checking. Nothing else.”
“Then get your photos and come back to my
car.”
“What about the trunk?”
“Skip the trunk.”
I switched on the camera app and snapped the
photos. After I put everything back, I held the
phone up to my ear. “I got it.”
“Good. Get back here and let’s go.”
I slid out of the passenger seat and pressed the
lock button on the key fob, but as I started to head
toward the front of the car, I had second thoughts.
“I’m already here, Jed. I’m gonna check the trunk.”
“Okay,” he said, not sounding happy about it.
“But don’t snoop around the space. Just do a quick
glance, take a photo if you see something, then get
over here. I’m tellin’ you, something feels off. We
need to go.”
“Do you think someone’s watchin’ us?”
“No, and I’ve been lookin’.”
I took a deep breath as I pushed the trunk
button, eager to be done with this, but I instantly
regretted it as something putrid hit my nose.
“Oh, my stars and garters.” I’d encountered
that smell at Granny’s after a cat had died in the
barn. That was not a good sign.
“What’s wrong?” Jed asked.
I steeled myself as I rounded the back end of
the car.
There in the trunk was a man with his ankles
bound and his wrists tied behind his back with zip
ties. There were at least a dozen large clear plastic
bags covering his damp short-sleeved dress shirt
and jeans. If I had any doubt he was dead, the
bullet hole in the middle of his forehead convinced
me otherwise. But it was his face that made me
shudder. It was ashy gray and slightly bloated, but it
was still like looking at a ghost.
“There’s good news and bad news,” I said. “I
found Chad Manchester, but he’s definitely dead.”
 CHAPTER 13

“
C lose the trunk and get over here,” Jed
said, his voice tense. “Now.”
I did as he said, mostly because I didn’t want to
be here either.
As soon as I got in the car, he held out a gloved
hand. “Key.”
I handed it to him and he pulled the glove inside
out, with the fob still inside, then tossed it into the
already-open glove compartment. I was still
fumbling with my seat belt as he pulled out of the
space.
We rode for nearly a minute in silence. I had no
idea what Jed was thinking about, but I couldn’t get
that smell or that image of dead Chad Manchester
out of my head.
It took me a second to realize Jed had said
something. “What?”
“Call Joe.”
Oh. Lord. That was gonna be a difficult call.
“He’s gonna blow a gasket.”
“I need to talk to him.” He sounded nervous,
which made me even more nervous. “Put it on
speaker.”
I pulled out my phone and called my brother.
The phone rang and as soon as Joe answered, he
said, “Everything okay?”
“We found more than we bargained for,” Jed
said before I could respond.
Joe waited a second, then said, “I take it that it
wasn’t all good.”
“The laptop has fingerprint recognition. We
brought it with us.”
“Were you seen?”
Jed gave me a quick glance, then said, “No.
There were signs that Kate had been in the room…
or at least that she had someone play errand runner
for her.”
“What did she leave?”
“Another note,” I said. “And a present.”
 “Shit, it wasn’t a body, was it?”
I sucked in a breath.
“Neely Kate?” he asked when I remained quiet,
his worry coming through loud and clear.
“No,” I said. “Kate left me a package under the
mattress—the PI reports from her search in
Ardmore and tracking down my mother in West
Virginia.”
“That’s good, I guess,” Joe said in a hopeful
tone. “Why do I think there’s something else you
haven’t told me yet?”
Jed piped up. “We found his car key in the
room and searched his car in the parking lot.”
“And?”
“The car belongs to Chad Manchester. Pearce
Manchester’s brother.”
“So the guy in Neely Kate’s basement is Chad
Manchester?”
“No,” I said. “Chad Manchester is currently
dead in the trunk of his car.”
Joe let out a long list of obscenities, some used
in creative ways I’d never heard before. “You’re
positive no one saw you?”
“I was the one who searched the car,” I said. “I
was wearing my wig.”
 “That didn’t answer my question, now did it?”
“She wasn’t seen,” Jed said. “I was watching.
No one walked out, and I didn’t see anyone lookin’
out the windows. It was parked in the back, so no
one on the street saw us. This hotel is known for its
faulty security cameras, so I’ll make sure there was
a glitch while we were back there.”
“Somehow that doesn’t make me feel much
better,” he said sarcastically.
“We still have the key,” Jed said. “We’re
bringin’ it back with us.”
Joe was silent for so long I thought he’d hung
up, but he finally said, “I’ve got to think this
through.”
“We need to find out who owned that laptop,”
Jed said. “It could have been Manchester’s.”
“Yeah,” Joe said. “Get back here and we’ll go
through it. I’ve found a few things from the phone,
but I still don’t know who Franken’s supposed to
meet at noon.”
“We’ve still got a few hours to figure it out,” I
said. “If nothing else, we go and see if we recognize
who shows up.”
“You won’t be goin’ anywhere,” Joe said in an
authoritative tone. “Not with Kate on the loose.”
 “We’ll discuss it when I get back.” I hung up.
Jed shot me a dark look. “You’ll pay for that.”
“And I’ll likely be payin’ for a lot more before
this is all said and done.”
His hand covered mine. “Not if I can help it.”
Jed drove out of town and turned onto the
county road that led to the farm. As I watched the
scenery go by, I said, “If only we could contact
Kate.”
He was quiet for a second, then sat up
straighter. “Wait. We can.”
I turned to face him. “How?”
“The burner phone we brought her. I wrote
down the number in case she tried to call and
harass you. We’d know it was her.” He handed me
his phone. “It’s in a note.” He used his thumbprint
to open it, then handed it to me. “But don’t call her
yet. Let’s give this some thought before we do
anything. Kate does everything for a reason, and
calling her might play right into her hands… or set
her off.”
I hated to admit he was right.
I found the note and entered it into my phone,
saving it under Evil Half Sister.
Jed chuckled as he shifted in his seat.
 I glanced up at him. “How can you be laughing
right now?”
“Because even when things are at their worst, I
can count on you to put a smile on my face.”
“Is that why you’re still with me?” I asked,
deciding to be blunt. I told myself that Jed’s
feelings for me should be low on our priority list,
especially since Jed was in this whether he wanted
to be or not. But if he was second-guessing our
relationship, I wanted to know.
“What are you talkin’ about?” he asked, casting
me a surprised glance.
“You’ve been away more than you’ve been
with me the last week, and any time I’ve tried to
show you any kind of affection, you quickly put a
stop to it.”
“That’s not true,” he countered in a defensive
tone. “I showed you affection both yesterday and
today.”
“Only because I was scared about this whole
mess and you felt like you had to comfort me.
Three days ago, I kissed you and you pushed me
away. And then I didn’t see you again until I met
you at the landscaping office yesterday morning,
and that was only because I got that phone call.”
When he didn’t say anything, I asked, “Do you
want to break up with me, but you can’t because
you’re stuck with me because you helped me dig up
Pearce Manchester?”
“Neely Kate,” he said with a sigh. “I swear to
you, that’s not why I’ve stayed away from you.”
“Then why?”
He hesitated for several seconds. “I’ve been
setting up my new business.”
“What’s your new business?”
“Just wait, okay? I’ll tell you soon.”
“Soon. But not now.” Why wouldn’t he tell me?
What if he was opening another strip club?
He reached over and grabbed my hand. “Neely
Kate. I’m plannin’ to tell you everything soon. Just
trust me.”
What choice did I have? “Okay.”
He squeezed my hand. “Thank you.”
This whole conversation was stupid given that
I’d discovered two dead men in the course of a few
hours. I needed to get my priorities straight. If I was
arrested for Pearce Manchester’s murder, all of this
would be a moot point.
When we got back to the farm, I went inside
and tugged off my wig, unpinning my hair as we
walked into the kitchen and found Joe at the
kitchen table. He must have run over to his place
because he was using his own laptop and taking
notes on a legal pad.
He wore a serious expression as his gaze lifted
to mine. “I want to see that packet Kate left you
along with the note.”
Jed headed to the basement staircase. “I’m
going to see if Franken’s fingerprint works.”
Joe didn’t say a word, just watched him go
through the door, then gestured for me to take the
chair next to him.
I sat down and handed him the packet. “The
handwritten notes are inside with the PI report.”
He pulled out the first note and studied it.
“Where’d you find it?”
“I found that one in the nightstand drawer. The
other was in the packet that we found under the
mattress.”
He frowned. “Carlisle’s thorough.”
“The first note suggested there was something
else in the room. Up to that point, other than the
computer, the only thing of interest we’d found was
a pair of women’s panties on the floor.”
He set the note on the table and removed the
second one. As he read it, his fingers tightened,
crimping the edge of the paper. “This is a threat,
Neely Kate.”
“I’m not surprised. She’s been threatening me
for months.”
“With her letters?”
“And then in person when I finally started
seein’ her at the hospital.”
“I wish you’d told me she was blackmailin’
you.” He set the paper on top of the other note on
the table, shaking his head. “Don’t misconstrue
what I’m sayin’. I understand why you didn’t tell
me, but I still can’t help feeling responsible.”
My jaw dropped. “How are you responsible?”
“I was the one who took you up there to see her
in the first place. She started makin’ you come see
her after that.”
“I was the one who insisted on goin’ the first
time, Joe. You know how stubborn I am. I would
have found a way without you.”
He looked grim as he started flipping through
pages, then paused, flipping back several pages.
“So Kate went to see Beasley, then hired a PI to
investigate the rest.”
“Looks like it.”
 “But she doesn’t know anything about Pearce
Manchester. Or at least she didn’t find out about
him from the PI.” He pushed out a sigh. “Her
comment about what happened on a bed got us
here worries me.”
“It still doesn’t mean she knows about the man
I killed. They told her that I had sex for money.
That seems more likely.”
His lips pursed. “Maybe.”
He got to the tabbed page and when he saw it
was about my mother, his eyes widened. “So Kate
really saw her.”
“I never doubted that she did.” I grabbed the
remaining pages from him. “There’s nothin’ in there
from my mother that will help us with the rest of
this mess. What did you find on the guy’s phone?”
His gaze turned to the partially open basement
door. “I was plannin’ on tellin’ you both. Carlisle’s
been down there awhile. What do you think he’s
doin’?”
“It might not be Neil Franken’s laptop. What if
it belongs to Chad Manchester?”
Joe’s face paled. “Let’s hope not. I don’t want
any of us near that car or body. I’m already havin’
second thoughts about the whole thing, especially if
Carlisle’s tampering with the camera.”
“You want me to tell him to let things be, and
we’ll tell the sheriff’s department about the body in
the basement?”
“Yes. No.” He shook his head. “I don’t know.
This thing’s gettin’ a hell of a lot deeper by the
minute.”
“You have no idea how deep,” Jed said as he
walked through the door with the open laptop in his
hands.
“Well, shit,” Joe groaned.
Jed ignored him, setting the computer on the
table, then turned to me with a serious expression.
“Did you know anything about Pearce
Manchester?”
He looked nervous. My heart started racing.
“No, not really. I didn’t even know his name.
Branson always referred to him as the client from
Dallas, and he was paying ten thousand dollars to
have the night to do anything he wanted.”
“Did Branson end up with ten grand?” Joe
asked.
“No,” Jed said in a dull tone. “Neely Kate said
Manchester refused to pay until he was done.”
“Do we know what happened to the money?”
Joe asked.
“We buried it,” I said, worried about getting Jed
into even more trouble with my brother. “Beasley
and I buried everything the guy had with him—his
clothes, his video camera, the black bag. I never
looked inside it, and I guess neither did Beasley,
because I can’t imagine he’d bury that much
money. I didn’t realize it was even there until Jed
discovered it. We were more concerned with hiding
all the evidence.”
“What happened to his car?” Joe asked.
“It wasn’t at the house,” I said. “I don’t know
what happened to it.”
“The news reports said his car disappeared,”
Jed said. “I looked into it after we came back from
Ardmore.”
“Did you stir up trouble with your diggin’?” Joe
asked in an accusatory tone. “Did your questions
put the spotlight on Neely Kate?”
“No,” Jed said, keeping his gaze level with
Joe’s. “I was careful. It was all online research. No
one knows his death is tied to Neely Kate.”
“Someone knows,” Joe said in frustration.
“There’s a dead man in the basement to prove it.”
I turned to Joe with pleading eyes. “That was
Kate’s doin’, not Jed’s. He’s on my side, Joe.”
Joe crossed his arms over his chest, fuming.
“Something doesn’t make sense,” Jed said,
leaning over. He then linked his hand with mine and
squeezed. “There was ten thousand dollars in that
bag. That’s a hell of a lot of money for one night
with a woman.”
Joe’s face erupted with anger. “Are you sayin’
my sister isn’t worth ten grand?”
“Simmons,” Jed grunted. “Do you think I really
want to discuss this in front of her? I’d ask her to
leave to spare her, but I know she’ll never do it,
and besides—this is her life. She deserves to
know.” He squeezed my hand again. “Even the
hard stuff.”
Joe settled back in his chair.
“As far as I’m concerned,” Jed continued, “that
man didn’t pay near enough. If Neely Kate hadn’t
killed him, I’d hunt the bastard down and make him
suffer the way he made her suffer ten times over, so
no, ten thousand is nowhere near enough for one
second with her, let alone for the hours she
endured. But you and I both know he could have
just picked up a prostitute on the street and tortured
her, killed her, and been done with it. Why travel to
Ardmore and pay ten grand to Branson Desoto, a
low-level drug dealer? Something’s missin’ with this
story.”
Joe’s lips thinned as he studied Jed.
“Neely Kate said Branson was doin’ a drug deal
too,” Jed said. “But after taking a brief look at the
laptop, now I’m not so sure.”
“Why?” I asked, shifting in my seat to face him.
His gaze landed on my face. “The laptop
proved to be Chad Manchester’s, and he had two
separate files with his brother’s name on it—one in
his email and one in his documents. I’ve barely
scratched the surface, but there’s a lot to dig
through, including the original PI report from the
agency their father hired about a year after Pearce
disappeared.”
“Why would Manchester have that much
money?” Joe asked. “What was he buyin’ from
Branson Desoto?”
“I don’t know about that part for certain, but
I’m pretty sure there’s a link between Pearce
Manchester and the Hardshaw Group.”
Joe’s eyes narrowed, and he tilted his head
slightly. “That’s quite a leap. How’d you come to
that conclusion?”
 “Because Chad Manchester concluded the
same thing.”
“Wait,” I said. “What’s the Hardshaw Group?”
“A crime syndicate in Dallas,” Joe said. “The
same one that wanted the flash drive that Daniel
Crocker thought Rose had a year ago. And if
they’re really involved and have caught wind of
you, we’re in deep shit.”
 CHAPTER 14

“
W e’re not in deep shit yet,” Jed said,
wrapping an arm around my back
and pulling me closer. “This is all speculation,
which means we need to dig into that computer and
find out what Chad Manchester actually knew.”
“Wait,” Joe said, holding up his hand. “If the
computer belonged to Chad, how’d you get
Franken’s fingerprint to work?”
Jed shrugged. “Franken must have gotten the
password before Chad ended up dead and changed
the print recognition, because it worked.”
“So Franken wanted Chad’s information?” Joe
asked. “Why kill him? Why not just steal the
laptop?”
 “If Franken is with Hardshaw, then maybe
Chad had found out too much,” Jed answered.
“Hopefully whatever’s on that computer will give
us some answers.” He turned to me. “How are you
feelin’ about all of this? You feel like diggin’
through this laptop?”
“Now wait a minute,” Joe said, pushing back
his chair. “Neely Kate’s not searchin’ that thing. It’s
likely to wind up as evidence.”
“You were gonna let Jed search through it,” I
protested.
“Yeah, because Carlisle’s a known criminal.”
My blood ran cold. “And I’m a known
murderer.”
“You killed that man in self-defense, Neely
Kate,” Joe shouted. “That’s a big difference.”
“I didn’t kill him in self-defense, Joe,” I said in
a shaky voice. “I could have tried to escape, but I
didn’t. The only thing in my mind was to kill him.”
“How big was he?” Joe asked.
I thought back to the night, his body looming
over mine, the power in the thick muscles in his
arms as he hit me over and over, leaving me
bloodied and bruised.
Joe’s eyes widened, and I realized I must look
as horrified and frightened as I felt.
“You don’t have to answer,” Jed whispered into
my ear, pulling me even closer. “I can tell him.”
“How do you know what he looked like?” My
voice was thick with emotion.
“I’ve been investigatin’ him, remember? I’ve
seen plenty of photos. You put the sight of that
monster out of your head.” He kissed my forehead
and turned to my brother. “He was a big guy. Six
three, two-twenty. Lifted weights. He was the son
of an oil man with padded job title at his daddy’s
company and too much time and money on his
hands. He was known to have a temper and he’d
seen the inside of a jail quite a few times due to his
outbursts, with both men and women, but more
often with women. They’d arrest him, then the
woman would change her mind. I’m certain his rich
daddy paid them off to go away.”
Joe’s face paled. I was sure he was thinking of
all the times his father had bought his way out of
trouble, plenty of which Joe hadn’t even been
aware of.
“You never beat anyone,” I said to him.
“I beat up my fair share of guys in bar fights.”
“You never beat a woman, did you?” I asked.
“I’m sure you never beat anyone for the pure
pleasure of making them cry and plead for mercy.”
“Is that what he did to you?” he asked in
horror, his eyes brimming with tears. “No, Neely
Kate. Never.”
A fierceness took hold of me. “Then you are
nothin’ like that man, do you hear me? And for
what it’s worth, I wouldn’t be sittin’ here with you
right now if I thought you were capable of it.”
“What did he do to you, Neely Kate?” Joe
asked, his voice broken.
I shook my head, tears burning my eyes.
Joe’s gaze jerked to Jed’s. “What did he do?”
“I don’t know all the details,” Jed said. “But I
know enough. There was a tape that detailed it all,
but I never saw it. Neely Kate took it from the
video recorder and begged me not to watch. After
some deliberation, I agreed to her request.”
Joe sat up, looking hopeful. “There’s a video of
him beating and raping you?”
“And her killin’ him,” Jed said.
“I need that tape,” Joe insisted. “It will clear
you of any wrongdoin’.”
I shook my head, my entire body shaking too.
“If that tape is viewed out of order, it will show
Pearce Manchester sitting on the edge of the bed,
then me attacking him. He wasn’t hurtin’ me when
I strangled him, Joe. It wasn’t self-defense.”
“Was it obvious you were beaten?”
I didn’t respond, but Jed said, “I saw the blood
on those sheets, and the positioning led me to
believe a lot of it came from head wounds. She was
bound to look beaten.”
Joe’s face paled and he stared at me in pity and
horror.
I got to my feet. “This is exactly why I can’t tell
Rose. I couldn’t bear for her to look at me like that.
It would take her forever to get over it.” I headed
for the back door. “I’m goin’ for a walk.”
“You can’t,” Joe called after me. “Kate might
be out there.”
I stopped with my hand on the doorknob,
knowing he was right. I dropped my hand in
frustration. “Why is she doin’ this to me?”
“She’s jealous,” Joe said.
“Of me?” I asked in disbelief. “I lost my babies.
My husband left me. My mother dumped me like I
was a piece of garbage. I’m so broke I’m drivin’
around a piece-of-crap car. What on earth is she
jealous of?”
 “You and Rose,” Joe said, shifting in his seat to
fully look at me. “Jed’s been goin’ with you to the
psych ward, right? So she’s jealous of him. And
finally, she’s jealous of you and me. If she’s really
spyin’ on us, then she knows that we’re tryin’ to
make this work. She thinks you usurped her as my
sister, and now she’s gonna make you pay.”
The hard look in Jed’s eyes suggested he
believed the same thing.
I shook my head. While I knew he was likely
right, I still struggled to believe Kate could be
jealous of me. “Then we need to find and catch
her.”
“She’s sneaky,” Joe said. “And she’s whip-
smart. She’s schemed up something, and we need to
bide our time. Wait for a mistake.”
“You want to wait?” Jed asked in a deadpan
tone. “I’m not leavin’ Neely Kate as bait.”
“I bet she’s plannin’ something for tomorrow
night,” I said. “She knows about the fundraiser
dinner. She’s gonna come.”
Joe’s mouth parted, and then he quickly closed
it. “You’re right.”
“There’s no way Neely Kate’s goin’ to that
thing,” Jed said. “I’m not putting her in that
danger.”
“We don’t have to make a decision yet,” I said.
“Let’s see what else we can find. Why would she
plant a body in my basement if she wants to pull
something tomorrow night?”
“It’s a test,” Jed said, turning his attention to
Joe. “A test of Joe’s loyalty to you.”
Joe stared at him in shock. Then he sank back
in his seat. “Carlisle’s right.”
“What else does she have planned?” I asked.
“She left a dead body in your basement,” Jed
said. “With possible ties to a drug syndicate in
Dallas. I’m not waitin’ to see how this plays out.”
“What the hell are you gonna do?” Joe asked.
“I’m gonna track down Branson Desoto.” He
turned to me. “Do you feel up to searching that
laptop?”
While I wasn’t looking forward to it, I needed
to do something. “Yeah.”
Joe’s jaw locked tight, but he didn’t protest.
“You’re not goin’ to Ardmore, are you?” I
asked.
“No. I think I can get what I need from here,
but I need to go talk to a couple of people about
Hardshaw.”
 “Who?” Joe asked. “And why?”
“You’re crazy if you think I’m gonna tell you
who, and as to the why, Neil Franken might have
had other reasons for showin’ up here. Things have
been unsettled over the last few months and the
Hardshaw Group might be tryin’ to insert
themselves into Fenton County. I aim to find out if
they’ve reached out to anyone.”
Joe groaned. “Okay, it’s a good idea, but I don’t
think Neely Kate and I should stay here. I’m gonna
take her to my house. Do you know where that is?”
Then he snorted. “What am I askin’? I’m sure
you’ve staked out the place a time or two.”
Jed gave him a look of disgust. “Don’t flatter
yourself, Simmons.” Then he stood and tugged me
up with him. “Walk me to the door.”
I shot Joe a warning look not to intervene and
followed Jed through the swinging door into the
living room. When we reached the staircase by the
front door, he pulled me to his chest, wrapping me
up in his arms. “I hate leavin’ you, and the only
reason I’m considerin’ it is because I know Joe will
take care of you. I’d take you with me, but I don’t
want to risk it.”
“The sooner we put an end to this nonsense, the
sooner our lives can get back to normal.”
“You’re right.” He tipped my head back and
stared into my eyes. “We might have to postpone
our plans tonight.”
I hadn’t given our date much thought, but now
that he mentioned it, I knew he was right. I wasn’t
sure whether to be relieved or disappointed. But the
turmoil in Jed’s eyes proved he cared about me, so
why had he been so distant? “Don’t worry about
that.”
“I was lookin’ forward to it,” he said. Then his
face tightened. “When we catch Kate Simmons,
I’m gonna make her pay for that too.”
I forced a grin to ease the tension. “You’re
keepin’ a tally?”
“I have been since the first time we went to see
her. She touched me just to get a rise out of you,
and it went on my list.”
“Well, it couldn’t be that long of a list,” I said.
He started to say something, then stopped
himself and started again. “As long as Kate
Simmons is alive, she will continue to hurt you. I
refuse to let that happen. Do you understand what
I’m sayin’?”
Fear skated under my skin, making my hair
stand on end. I captured his face between my
hands, our eyes locking. “There will be no killin’
unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
He leaned down and kissed me, lightly at first,
his lips brushing mine as though they were butterfly
wings. Then he groaned and held me tighter, his
mouth and tongue growing bolder. My hands found
their way around his neck, and I pressed myself
against him, surprised that my body fit so perfectly
with his, especially since he was a good half foot
taller than me.
Jed lifted his face, his eyes hooded with lust.
“I’m gonna do everything in my power to make
sure tonight still happens. I’m not lettin’ Kate take
that from us too.”
The fact that his plans for tonight were a good
thing filled me with far more relief than it should
have. “What were you plannin’?”
“Dinner, like I told you. And a few surprises.”
“Surprises?”
“That’s what I’ve been workin’ on all week.
And I really want to show you, so let’s find a way
to make it work.”
I smiled, surprised at the giddiness that filled
me. He’d been planning this all week. “Okay.”
 He kissed me again, with a hunger that caught
me by surprise. “I’m scared to leave you, but I take
comfort knowin’ Joe would sooner take a bullet
than let Kate hurt you. When I leave, pack a bag to
take with you. I’d rather you not come back here
until we decide what to do with that body. Tell Joe
I’ll make arrangements to get you sometime around
eight, and he can have you back tomorrow
morning.”
“Be careful, Jed,” I said. “You’re gonna visit
some dangerous people, aren’t you?”
“My list is short, but they aren’t people I would
have enjoyed visitin’ even when I was workin’ for
Skeeter.”
That scared me even more, and my imagination
ran wild. “Are you visiting Denny Carmichael?”
He was a drug dealer Skeeter had warned Rose
to stay away from while we were investigating our
last case. One of the witnesses we’d talked to had
wound up dead under mysterious circumstances,
and she’d had strong ties to Denny. Jed had told me
later that he was positive Denny had killed her, but
he had no proof.
He gave me a light kiss. “Don’t you worry
about me. I’ll bring backup.”
 “How?” I asked. Jed had tried hard to stay
away from Skeeter’s men to show he’d made a
clean break. But if he showed up with Skeeter’s
men now… “Oh, Jed. Don’t do anything to get
yourself into trouble because of me.”
“You stop that,” he said softly. “I’ll do anything
and everything necessary to keep you safe, NK.
Surely you know that by now, but I’ll be careful.
I’ve got too many plans for us to let someone like
Denny Carmichael get in my way. I plan on asking
Dermot to send one of his higher-ups to go with me.
He won’t want Hardshaw inserting themselves into
Fenton County affairs either.”
My stomach churned. “Maybe you should wait
for Skeeter.”
“I don’t need him for this, and I’m doin’ him a
favor.” He paused. “But if I’m bringing one or
more of Dermot’s men, then maybe I should bring
Reacher too. Make a united front.” He got a far-off
look in his eye, but then he shook it off and gave
me a warm smile. “I’ve got a lot to do today, so call
me if you find out anything on the laptop, and I’ll
let you know what I find out.”
“Be careful, Jed.”
He smiled down at me. “I promise.”
 Then he kissed me again and headed out the
front door.
As soon as the door closed, I peered out the
living room window, watching him get into his car.
“He really cares about you,” Joe said behind
me.
I gasped and spun around to face him, my anger
erupting. “You were eavesdropping?”
“I had to be sure, Neely Kate. You’re my baby
sister and I had to know he has your best interest in
mind.”
“And now you believe he does?”
He frowned. “Unfortunately, I do.” He paused.
“And for some reason, I also believe he’s makin’ a
break from Malcolm. I still wish I knew what this
mysterious business he’s openin’ is about.”
“I’ll find out tonight. He has something
planned.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not crazy
about the idea of you spending the night with him.
And even less so with Kate on the loose.”
“Since you were listenin’, you know he’ll keep
me safe. Just like he knows you’ll make sure I’m
safe. And besides, he’s right. Changing our plans
gives her power over us. I’m done giving Kate
power.”
“We’ll revisit your plans tonight later,” he said
with a frown. “Go pack a bag for a few days, and
we’ll head over to my place.”

AFTER I PACKED , I lugged my suitcase down the

stairs. When I was a few steps from the bottom, Joe
walked through the front door with Muffy hot on
his heels.
He reached up and grabbed my bag, swinging it
to the floor by the front door. “I packed up some
food for Muff and put her dog bed in my car. She’s
never stayed with me before, so I want her to be
comfortable.”
I grinned. “You’re a total softie where that dog
is concerned.”
He gave me a half-hearted smile. “I was there
when Rose adopted her. I fell hard for this little
mutt and considered her mine when we were
together.” He glanced down at her. “Part of me still
does.”
She looked up at him so adoringly, it nearly
brought tears to my eyes. I’d never considered that
not only had he lost Muffy when he broke up with
Rose, but she’d lost him too. I knew he liked her,
but I never realized how deeply and vice versa. But
now that I was seeing it with open eyes, I realized it
had been there all along. I’d just missed it. “She
loves you too.”
His mouth lifted into a half smile. “I’ve
considered getting a dog of my own, but I feel like
I’d be cheating on Muff… and my work hours
aren’t conducive to havin’ a dog. I’d hate to leave
him or her alone for hours on end.”
I was certain he was capable of loving two
dogs. The more I considered it, the more the idea of
Joe getting a dog sat well with me. Especially if it
gave him enough love and attention to encourage
him to dump Dena. “If you stay in the farmhouse, I
can run over and check on your dog when you get
tied up with your job. I think it’s a great idea. And
Muffy would love having another dog to play
with.”
A spark lit up his eyes, then quickly faded.
“We’ll discuss it after this mess with Kate is taken
care of. Ready to go?”
“Yeah. But what about the laptop?”
“Already in the car. You head on out and I’ll
make sure the house is locked up.”
Like that would keep Kate and her cronies out.
“Okay. Come on, Muff.” I grabbed the handle
of my suitcase and rolled it onto the porch as Joe
headed to the kitchen.
“I’ll get that, Neely Kate,” he called after me.
“I’m perfectly capable of carryin’ my own
daggum suitcase, Joe.”
Since I hadn’t come up with what to wear
tonight and I didn’t know what I was wearing
tomorrow night, I’d packed multiple dresses and
pairs of shoes, which added to the weight. I heaved
the luggage into Joe’s open trunk and was about to
get into the car when my phone rang.
I tugged it out of my pocket, and my heart
began to race when I saw the name on the screen.
Evil Half Sister.
“Hello, Kate,” I said in a neutral tone when I
answered. “I hear you took a little break from the
psych ward. Since you’re free, how about meetin’
me for lunch? We can go for mani-pedis. Some
sister bonding time.”
She laughed. “I think that might actually be fun,
but I have some other plans for our bonding time.
Did you find my present?”
 “You left me a present?” I asked. “I haven’t
seen it yet.”
“Don’t play cute with me, Neely Kate. I know
you found it. And so did Joe. That’s the only reason
you’d suddenly introduce your hottie boyfriend,
aka Skeeter Malcolm’s right-hand man, to our
brother.”
Kate was watching the farm, or more likely,
having someone else do it and reporting to her.
Were they watching me now?
“Why didn’t you call 911?” Kate asked.
“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”
Her voice acquired a slight edge. “Come on,
sister dearest, cut the bullshit. I have another
surprise for you. At noon. I’ll let you know where
when the time gets closer, but be ready for it. Have
a good rest of your morning, little sis.”
I heard Joe’s footsteps on the porch, and I
turned to face him. The look on my face must have
alerted him that something was wrong.
“What’s the surprise?” I asked Kate. When she
didn’t answer, I pulled the phone away and realized
she’d hung up. “Dang it.”
Joe hurried down the steps looking worried.
“Who was on the phone?”
 “Kate.”
His eyes flew wide. “Kate?” He put his hands
on his hips and shook his head. “Dammit. What’d
she say?”
“She asked if I’d found her surprise. I
pretended to be clueless, but she knows we found
him. She said that was the only way I’d introduce
you to Jed.”
“Shit. All the more reason to get the hell out of
here so we can play dumb if she calls in an
anonymous tip and the sheriff’s department comes
out to investigate.”
“Won’t they check with you first?”
“More than likely, but I won’t stop them from
checking; otherwise it would look suspicious.” He
held my gaze. “We need to be prepared for that.”
I nodded. “I’ll never knowingly get you into
trouble Joe, but she said something else. She said
she had another surprise. At noon. She said to be
ready for it.”
“Shit.” He ran a hand through his hair.
“Franken was supposed to meet someone at noon. I
wonder if the two are the same.”
“Good question.” If it was the same, how much
did Kate really know?
 Joe must have been thinking the same thing,
because his face softened as he quietly asked,
“Where’s the tape, Neely Kate?”
I hadn’t been prepared for that question, and I
stumbled backward in shock and dismay. Joe could
never see that tape. I didn’t answer, merely shook
my head, then walked over to the passenger door as
I called Muffy. I got in and she hopped on my lap
as Joe got in and started the car.
We were silent during the short drive to his
small house, but as soon as he parked in front of his
house, he let the engine idle and said, “I’m not
tryin’ to hurt you, Neely Kate. I’m tryin’ to help.”
“I know,” I said in a tight voice.
“Can you tell me where it is? Is it somewhere
where Kate can find it?”
I wrung my hands in my lap, and Muffy leaned
down to nudge them apart. “Not unless she robs a
bank. It’s in a safe-deposit box at the Henryetta
Bank.”
He closed his eyes and pushed out a breath.
“Thank God.”
“You can’t see it, Joe.”
“It’s our Hail Mary, okay, Neely Kate? If we’re
backed into a corner, we’ll use it then. And only
then.”
I didn’t want to use it at all, but Joe and Jed
were in this now. I’d be humiliated for anyone else
to see it, but I’d pull it out to save them. “Only if
there’s no other way.”
“I promise,” he said, then turned off the engine
and got out.
He already had my suitcase on the front porch
by the time Muffy and I joined him. I turned and
stared out into the corn field in front of his rental
house, listening to the soft rustle of the corn leaves
blowing in the wind.
“How can you think about leavin’ here?” I
asked. “It’s so peaceful.” He’d rented the house
from the farmer, who rented the land to someone
else. Joe had gotten the place for a steal, and the
landlord was reducing his rent each month as
payback for renovating it. Joe was really good at it,
so the landlord was really the one getting the steal.
“I’m almost done restorin’ the house,” he said
as he unlocked the door. “Time to move on.”
Time to move on. Everyone moved on from me
eventually. When would Joe move on? When
would Jed? I couldn’t think about that now.
We went inside, and Joe put my suitcase in the
guest bedroom. When he came out, he pulled his
laptop out and set it on the kitchen table, then
pulled out a towel that was folded around
something rectangular, presumably Chad
Manchester’s laptop.
“I want you to finish goin’ through the phone
while I look through the laptop,” he said as he
unwrapped the towel and set it on the table.
“Why?” I asked defensively. “You don’t think I
can handle it?”
“I know you can handle it, but it makes more
sense for you to go through the photos on the
phone. You’re more likely to know what they
pertain to. Besides, I’ll be working on the laptop
wearin’ gloves, so it works better all the way
around.”
Jed hadn’t worn gloves when he’d handled the
laptop, which in hindsight, had been a bad idea
unless Jed had never intended for the authorities to
find it. My mouth dropped open. “You’re gonna
hang Jed out to dry.”
He groaned. “No, I’m not, Neely Kate, but we
don’t know if we’re gonna need this laptop as
evidence. If it comes to that, we’ll wipe it clean and
go from there.” He gave me a reassuring look. “I
believe he cares about you and he’s tryin’ to help
you too. I may have my doubts about the guy, but I
won’t throw him under the bus for helping you. I
owe him that.” The way his mouth pinched, like
he’d just taken a bite out of a dung beetle, made it
clear how difficult it had been for him to admit.
“Well, thanks for that, but there’s likely to be
information about me on there.”
“I don’t know what we’re gonna do with it, but
for now, I’m gonna play it safe.” When I didn’t
respond, he gestured to his laptop. “I’ll get you
booted up, then go over my notes with you.” He
leaned over and typed in a password, and the
computer sprang to life.
“Are you plannin’ to go to the diner and see
who was meetin’ the guy in my basement?”
He blinked, caught off guard by my question.
Then his shoulders tightened. He was prepared for
an argument. “I’ll be goin’, but you won’t be
anywhere near that place.”
“Joe.”
“It’s nearly ten. We still have an hour and a half
to figure out who’s doin’ what. For all I know, your
boyfriend’s plannin’ to go.”
I wasn’t sure Jed could fit it into his busy
schedule, but I wouldn’t put it past him to try.
While he knew how to delegate, he liked to keep
the important tasks for himself. But which was
more important? Staking out a meeting at a diner or
finding out if a crime syndicate was making a play
in his county?
What if both were one and the same and I was
pure bonus on their part?
I wasn’t sure what to hope for.
Joe took a step toward the kitchen. “I’m gonna
make another pot of coffee and grab a muffin. Do
you want one?”
The surprise in his eyes told me he was caught
off guard that I wasn’t arguing with him, but he was
right. We still had some time. I could put up a fight
later.
I cocked an eyebrow as I gave him a
mischievous glare. “Did Dena make ’em?”
He grinned. “Will you say no if she did?”
“It depends. If they’re lemon poppy seed, then
I think I could choke it down.”
He laughed. “Comin’ right up.”
I pulled his notebook out of his bag and started
reading through his notes.
“As you can see, I wrote down his recent calls
and texts. The calls were few and mostly to a
couple of Dallas numbers. The texts were even
fewer.” Joe started scooping coffee grounds into
the coffee maker. “I think Jed’s right. I think he
wiped them because the furthest they go back is
Monday. Either that or it’s a rebooted phone.”
“Why would he delete his previous texts? Did
he think someone was after him?”
“Maybe. Or maybe he started fresh with each
new assignment.”
“But is he with the Hardshaw Group or is he a
PI?”
Joe filled the coffee pot with water. “He was
takin’ photos of you, which could mean he was a PI
and his ID is just a cover. My gut tells me he was
up to no good. I think he was working with
Hardshaw. There are too many threads dangling to
appear otherwise, namely Chad Manchester’s dead
body in the trunk of his car.”
“That could have been Kate’s doin’.”
“Maybe… if she’s really tryin’ to frame you,
but again, my gut says differently.” His eyes
narrowed as he pinned his gaze on me. “How bad
did he stink?”
“Joe!”
 “It could help pinpoint how long he’d been
dead. It wasn’t that hot last night or even yesterday,
so it might be a fair ballpark assessment. How bad
did he stink?” he repeated.
I cringed. “Bad.”
“Was his face bloated?”
I shuddered. “Some, but I recognized him from
his driver’s license and his resemblance to his
brother.”
Joe frowned. “So recent. Kate could have had it
done.”
“Wait,” I said, holding up my index finger. “His
clothes were wet and there were a bunch of empty
plastic bags around him.”
“What?”
“I was too shocked at the time to realize what
I’d been lookin’ at, but I think they’d been giant
bags of ice.”
Joe’s eyes flew open as he took a step closer.
“Someone put ice on him to slow down his
decomposition.”
“But who?” I asked. “Kate or Neil Franken?”
Joe stared into the living room for a moment as
though focusing on the artwork on the wall. “My
gut says Franken.” He turned his gaze to mine.
“And it’s not me protectin’ Kate. She’s capable of
some truly awful things, as evidenced by the body
in your basement and all the disaster she
orchestrated back in February.”
“I should have had the presence of mind to get
some photos,” I said. “I was just so shocked and
Jed was in my ear tellin’ me to close the trunk and
get out of there.”
Joe looked stricken. “Tell me you were wearin’
gloves.”
I could have blasted him for accusing me of
being such an amateur, but I’d give him this one. “I
was. And wearin’ my wig too.”
He pushed out a long breath. “Thank God.”
While Joe grabbed the muffins and cups for the
coffee, I didn’t waste time jumping in to study the
neatly written notes on the legal pad, which didn’t
have much information I didn’t already know.
“We’re sure this is Neil Franken’s phone?” I asked.
“Jed said the computer is Chad Manchester’s.”
“I’m sure it’s Franken’s,” Joe said. “I looked in
the settings. His name and email address are in
there. Poke around and see what you can find.”
“And will you share what you find?” I asked.
His gaze held mine. “This is about you, Neely
Kate. You deserve to know what I find.”
I started on the photos first. The last photo was
of me the night before at the farm, then lots of
photos of earlier in the day. I noticed that he hadn’t
gotten any photos of me and Jed or our trip to Little
Rock. The first photo he’d taken of me had been
two days ago. The photos before that were from
Ardmore. There were the photos Jed mentioned—
Stella’s apartment complex, she and Branson and
baby Crystal at the fast-food restaurant. Zelda’s
trailer. But there were others. Beasley at work at
the hardware store. Photos of the strip club where
I’d worked.
Oh. Crap.
I told myself not to freak out. Pearce
Manchester was supposed to have been in the
audience to watch me dance the night he bought
me. If Franken had been following Pearce
Manchester’s trail, he would have followed him
there. But how had Pearce gotten from the strip
club to the house Branson had rented? What had
happened to his car?
And why were they looking into me? Someone
had talked. Who?
I grabbed my cell phone and called Zelda. Joe
looked up from his computer as I put the ringing
phone on speaker, but he didn’t question me.
“Hey, Miss Zelda,” I said when she answered.
“It’s Neely Kate.”
“I was just thinkin’ about you a few days ago,”
she said good-naturedly.
My heart skipped a beat. Had she thought of me
because Neil Franken had paid her a visit? “That’s
why I’m callin’.”
“You’re psychic now?” she asked with a
chuckle.
“No…” I grinned despite my fear. “I was
wondering if anyone had been back to ask you any
more questions about me.”
She hesitated. “No strangers have been round,
but Stella dropped by with her baby.”
I picked up my pen. “Oh, really? What day was
that?”
“A couple of days ago. She said she came by so
I could see that baby of hers, but I saw right
through her when she started askin’ what I knew
about you and that handsome man you was with
when you saw me.”
“So Wednesday?” I asked.
“Yep. Wednesday afternoon.”
 I wrote down Wednesday afternoon. “I hate to
be nosy, but what did she say?”
“You’re not bein’ nosy,” she said. “It’s always
good to keep up with what Stella’s up to. She
wanted to know where you were livin’ now and if I
had an address or phone number.”
“Did you give it to her?”
“I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck, young
lady. I knew she was up to no good. I told her I
didn’t know.”
“Did she say anything else?”
“She told me that a social worker had been
comin’ round to check on the baby. She thinks you
had something to do with it.”
I sure wasn’t confessin’ Jed had been
responsible. “How did Crystal look? Was she
clean?”
“Clean enough,” Zelda said with a sigh. “But
Stella’s been usin’ again. I could tell. I have no idea
how she’s gettin’ that past the social worker, but
then maybe she works at pretendin’ more with the
social worker than she does with me. She knows I’ll
tolerate crap I wouldn’t tolerate before on account
of that poor baby.”
“Did she say anything about Crystal’s father?”
 “As a matter of fact, she did. She said he’d
come back from wherever he’d gone, and they
were about to come into some money.”
My gaze lifted to Joe’s concerned face. That
didn’t sound good. “Did Stella mention where that
money was comin’ from?”
“She said the two of them had some deal in the
works.”
“Did she say how soon this deal would go
through?”
“Just soon.”
I felt the blood rush from my head. “Did she
say anything else?”
“She complained that her mother’s not helpin’
with the baby. And that her sister won’t have
anything to do with her. She asked me to watch her
baby so she could do a few bartender shifts.”
“She got a job bartendin’?”
Zelda let out a loud snort. “She ain’t bartendin’.
She’s strippin’, although I asked her why she’s
takin’ on a new job if her ship’s comin’ in. She said
it had something to do with the deal.”
What would stripping or bartending have to do
with Chad Manchester or Neil Franken looking for
me? “So are you watchin’ Crystal for her?”
 “Of course I am. I wouldn’t put it past that fool
to leave that sweet baby alone in that apartment
while she takes her clothes off for dollar bills.”
I couldn’t help cringing. I’d taken my clothes
off for dollar bills. “If I was closer, I’d help take
care of her.”
“I know you would, sweet girl, and I could use
your help. She dropped her baby off last night, and
she won’t answer her phone today,” she grumbled.
“She’s probably gettin’ high somewhere.”
Sadly, I suspected Zelda was right.
“Is everything okay?” she asked. “You in some
kind of trouble?”
I forced a laugh. “I’m not in any more trouble
than usual, Miss Zelda.”
She laughed too. “And that handsome young
man who was with you… how’s he doin’?”
“Jed’s great.”
Crystal started crying in the background. “This
baby girl is ready for her bottle, and after this one, I
ain’t got any more formula,” Zelda said. “I guess
I’ll have to go buy some if that fool doesn’t come
back soon.”
“I’m sorry. I really wish I could help.”
The baby’s cries became more insistent. “That
child has a set of lungs on her like her mother. I
gotta go, Neely Kate. It was great talkin’ to you,
girl. Be sure to keep in touch.”
The baby’s cries ripped up my insides. Stella
didn’t deserve that sweet baby, but when I did a
quick examination of my own life, I wondered if I
did either. Maybe God knew what he was doin’
when he took my babies from me.
Tears filled my eyes, but I blinked them back
and forced myself to sound cheerful. “I will, Miss
Zelda. You too.”
 CHAPTER 15

J oe studied me, and I knew he had to

have a dozen questions, so I answered
the less personal ones before he could
ask.
“I suspect Stella’s strippin’ at the place we
worked at together, although she can’t be makin’
much based on how awful she looked when I saw
her over a month ago. She’s a meth addict and she
looks the part.”
“You called family services on her when you
saw her?” he asked.
“No. Jed did. Crystal was filthy, and Stella was
in no hurry to clean her or feed her. Jed could see
that it was killin’ me to leave her there, but he told
me Stella could and would have me arrested for
kidnappin’ if I tried to take the baby. I knew he was
right. So as soon as we walked out the door, he
called them. Then we sat out front, watchin’ her
door until the social worker showed up.” I frowned.
“Not that it did much good… obviously. Stella still
has her.”
“Carlisle called family services to appease
you?” he asked in a neutral voice.
“I’m sure he would have done it anyway. He
was furious Stella was treatin’ her baby that way,
but he knows about my babies. He knows how
much I wanted them. So yeah, part of it was to help
me deal with the guilt of leavin’ her with Stella.”
Joe was quiet for a moment. “So Stella and
Branson think they’re comin’ into some money. Did
they make a deal with Franken, or do they know
you and Carlisle dug up the bag with money?”
“I’m not sure how they’d know…” A new fear
hit me. “Unless Beasley found where we buried the
body.”
“He forgot?”
“He was drunk, so I drove us there. He was
passed out but roused around enough to help me
dig the hole and move the body. While we were
diggin’, he saw the nearby light pole that had a
cross made out of silver nails. If they drove around
the country roads long enough, he might have
found it. We buried the guy behind some wild
azalea bushes. If they found them, they’d see that it
had been recently dug up.” Dread sank deep into
my bones. “They’d think we have the money.”
“The good news,” Joe said, “is if they think you
have the money, they won’t tell anyone else who
might be lookin’ for it. They’ll keep it to
themselves.”
“Unless they were threatened,” I said.
“True, but Stella thinks they’re comin’ into
money.” He was quiet for a moment. “What if
Stella wasn’t strippin’ last night?”
I narrowed my eyes.
He leaned forward. “What if Branson and Stella
told Franken just enough to get him off their backs,
but they found out you were in Henryetta? Stella
hasn’t picked her baby up because she and Branson
are on their way here.”
My chest tightened, and I struggled to take a
breath.
“I’ll have Randy watch the farm. Kate bein’ on
the loose is reason enough, and he can report
directly to me what he sees.”
“You think they’ll figure out I live with Rose?”
“Someone told Franken to come to Fenton
County to look for you, so that someone could have
told Branson and Stella.”
I nodded. It made sense, but who?
Joe got to his feet and began to pace. “So if
Branson and Stella come lookin’ for you, it stands
to reason they’ll look for you in one of three places.
Your granny’s farm, Rose’s farm, or the
landscaping office. I suspect your granny can take
care of them if they show up there.” He gave me an
ornery smile.
He wasn’t wrong. Granny was one tough lady.
“We’ll warn your granny they might come
lookin’ for you, and she can tell us if they show up.
Randy can watch the farm, and you and I can sit in
the landscapin’ office.”
“You think they’ll just waltz in?” I asked.
“They’re desperate for the ten grand, and if
they think Franken suspects you have it, they’re
gonna want to get it before he does, and based on
what Stella told Zelda about movin’ away, they’re
plannin’ on gettin’ the money and runnin’.”
“What about her baby?” I asked. “She left her
with Miss Zelda.”
Joe gave me a grave look. “How much does she
love that baby?”
From what little I’d seen, Crystal’s only
purpose in Stella’s life was to collect welfare and
try to hook Branson. If Stella was runnin’ off—with
Branson, to boot—I wouldn’t be surprised if she
left her baby behind too. My gaze drifted to my
notepad. “Not near enough.”
He nodded and seemed to realize how hard that
had been for me to admit. “I’ve scoured both PI
reports, the one Pearce Manchester’s father hired
and Kate’s, and neither of them mention you.
Manchester Senior’s PI was following a loose lead
in Ardmore, which he quickly dismissed within a
day. He mostly focused on Manchester’s nefarious
activities in Dallas. The report concluded that
Pearce Manchester met his end by pissing off the
wrong people, and while Hardshaw wasn’t
mentioned by name, they would fit with the PI’s
conclusion.”
“So why are they interested in me?”
Joe shook his head. “I’m still diggin’, but I’ve
also done some low-level searches for Neil Franken
and I suspect it’s an alias. There’s nothing on him.
It’s gonna take fingerprints to ID him, and that’s if
he has a record.”
“So we know a little more, but not enough to
help.”
“We’re chippin’ away at it,” Joe said. “And
there’s a mountain of information here. I may pull
some of it off and have you start searchin’ when
you finish with the phone, but I also really think we
should head over to the landscaping office. I’d sure
hate to miss the opportunity of meetin’ your ex.”
The dark look in his eyes hinted that things
wouldn’t go well for Branson if he did.

A HALF HOUR LATER , Joe pulled into a parking space

around the corner from the landscaping office.
He’d called Randy to have him watch the farm,
while I called Granny and warned her that some
people I’d known in Oklahoma might come looking
for me.
“They might be a little rough,” I said. “Maybe
we should have Randy Jackson or Witt come over
and help.”
“Pft,” she spit out, obviously insulted. “I can
take care of my own ding-dang self.”
I grinned. “I know you can, Granny, but I don’t
want you getting hurt on account of me.”
“And I appreciate it, girl, but I’ll be fine. And
besides, Witt’s been makin’ himself scarce the last
few weeks.”
“What’s he been up to?” Come to think about
it, I hadn’t seen much of him either.
“He’s probably sulkin’ since he couldn’t get the
finances together to open that garage.”
That was the first I’d heard he’d given up on his
dream of opening his car repair shop. “I’ll give him
a call to check on him, but that means he’s free to
come over and help watch the farm.”
“I don’t need no damn babysitter. Now I’ve
gotta go—Dolly Parton just showed up with Big
Bill’s wings.”
If my cousin was bringing our grandmother
wings, she wanted something. But Granny was
pretty sly. She had to be onto her. “You be careful
with those wings, Granny,” I warned. “I don’t have
time to take you to the ER when you think your
heartburn is a heart attack.”
“That’s why I’m makin’ Dolly Parton stick
around and help me can some tomaters. And if
you’re so worried about someone helpin’ keep
guard over me, she can hold a shotgun as good as
the next fool.”
“It’s not the carryin’ part I’m worried about,
Granny. It’s the shootin’ part. Dolly’s liable to shoot
her own daggum foot off.”
“You let me worry about that. You just be safe,
girl. You hear me?”
That was the closest I’d get to concern from my
grandmother, and it brought tears to my eyes even
as I grinned. “Yes, ma’am. Call me if they show
up.”
“I’ll hold ’em here if they do.” Then she hung
up.
Joe chuckled as he turned off the engine.
“Sounds like your granny is as ornery as ever.”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
During the drive into town, we discussed
whether he should go through the back door and
make it look like I was alone, but in the end he
decided if Kate was watchin’, he wanted her to
know he was around. Plus, it was a little after
eleven. He planned to leave by eleven thirty to get
to the diner early. We’d argued about it during the
drive into town, but ultimately he’d agreed to let
me go with him, if for no other reason because it
would mean leaving me alone if he didn’t.
“You will stay in the car,” Joe had said in a
stern voice. “I will deal with whoever it is.”
I’d been cagey and hadn’t agreed, but the side-
eye he’d given me let me know he was onto me.
“We won’t have time to get much done before
we need to leave,” I’d said, standing to the side and
holding Muffy with one arm and Joe’s laptop under
the other.
Joe unlocked the front door, his backpack slung
over his shoulder with the other laptop.
“You were makin’ great progress in the car,”
Joe said as he pushed the door open. I’d spent most
of the drive poring over Franken’s emails, the few
that were there. His email account was less than a
month old, and the only correspondence had been
between Franken and Chad Manchester. Chad had
been the one to reach out, asking Franken to meet
him a week ago to discuss his brother’s
disappearance. But there was nothing to tell us how
Chad had gotten his number and why he thought
Franken would know anything.
“Again, it’s not enough to tell us anything. It
only leaves more questions.”
 He shot me a grin. “If you’re the detective you
declare yourself to be, you should know that’s par
for the course.”
I rolled my eyes as I slipped past him and put
Muffy down. “This time it’s a bit more personal.”
His smile fell. “That it is.”
Muffy ran straight to Rose’s desk and hopped
into her dog bed, looking a little lost without Rose.
“I know we discussed leavin’ Muffy here when
we go to stake out the diner,” Joe said as he shut
the door behind us, “but I’m havin’ second
thoughts. I’m worried if someone comes lookin’ for
you, they’ll take their frustration out on her. Maybe
we should take her to Maeve at the nursery.”
Frowning, I cast a glance at the little dog.
Muffy had seen her share of violence over the past
year, but I hated the idea of someone purposely
hurting her. And if Branson found her and thought
she belonged to me, he’d torture her and kill her in
retaliation. “We’ll have to head out even sooner if
we drop her off at the nursery,” I said. “Let’s just
take her with us. I’m sure she’ll behave.”
He gave a quick nod, donned a pair of gloves,
and pulled out Chad Manchester’s laptop.
My phone buzzed with a text, and I pushed out
a sigh of relief when I saw it was from Rose.
We’re in Shreveport about to have lunch. Any
word on Kate?
I sent a text back. None, but Joe, Jed, and I
have some information to sift through to help. I’ll
let you know if I hear something.
I immediately saw the bubble pop up in the text
box.
Joe knows about Jed???
I hid my grin from my brother and texted back:
It was just as tense as you would expect, but they
reached a truce to protect me from Kate and some
leftover Ardmore mess. But don’t worry. I’m fine.
We should come back.
I quickly sent back: No! Please don’t come
back. I’ll only worry if you’re here. I know you’re
safe if you stay.
If you change your mind, say the word. We’ll
be on our way. Aunt Bessie wholeheartedly agrees.
Skeeter agreed? We weren’t exactly friends,
and I suspected that he partially blamed me for Jed
leaving his fold, but from what I could see, Rose
had the man wrapped around her little finger. If she
wanted to come back, he’d likely ask how fast he
should drive.
 “Everything okay?” Joe asked in a worried
tone. Even though my back was to him, he could
see me hovering over my phone.
“Yeah, it’s fine. Rose texted that she and her
aunt are in Shreveport about to have lunch. She’s
worried about us and I had to talk her out of
coming back.”
“Shreveport is the best place she could be right
now,” he said absently, leaning over the computer
screen. “I was worried it was Kate sending
directions to her noon surprise.”
“No such luck.”
I turned my attention back to the flash drive’s
memory and started to randomly open folders and
files. I clicked on a folder labeled audio files, which
was buried in a file labeled ring tones. An audio file
appeared with a single name and labeled with
Tuesday’s date.
Branson Desoto
I glanced back over my shoulder and found Joe
concentrating hard on his computer screen, so I
decided to vet the file before I alerted him.
Grabbing my headphones out of my desk drawer, I
plugged them in, then clicked on the first file.
“Hey man,” said an unfamiliar male voice.
“You got a light?”
“Sure,” another man said.
I sped up the audio, zooming through worthless
chitchat until I heard a man say, “Branson.”
Scaling it back to normal speed, I heard the first
man say, “What kind of entertainment do y’all have
around here? Got any titty bars?”
The other man laughed, and I would have
recognized that laugh anywhere. I’d heard it more
times than I could count when Branson would hand
me off to a man who’d paid to screw me. Panic
swept through me and I struggled to catch my
breath as Branson said, “Sure do, man, although it’s
gone downhill lately. Big turnover in the girls and
the pickin’s are slim, if ya know what I mean.”
Then he laughed again.
“Huh, maybe I’ll check it out. You headed there
tonight?”
“Nah, my old lady’ll kill me. She used to dance
there, and she’ll think I’m goin’ to screw one of the
dancers.”
“You can screw ’em?” asked the first guy, who
was presumably Neil Franken.
“Well…” Branson said in a sly tone. “What the
manager don’t know don’t hurt him.”
 There was a long pause, then Franken asked,
“So your old lady is a stripper? What’s that like,
man? You got a pole in your bedroom?”
He chuckled. “My old lady’s in no shape to be
dancin’ on a pole. She’s so high most of the time,
she’d fall right off on her ass.”
There was a moment’s pause, then Franken
said, “Rumor has it there’s a guy who can sell you a
night with a hot blonde with great tits. You know
anything about it?”
The blood rushed from my head to my feet, and
I grabbed the edge of my desk.
Branson waited a few seconds to answer.
“Nope. Don’t know nothing about it.”
“That’s too bad,” Franken said. “I was hopin’
he could hook me up. I got a few thousand bucks
and a thing for pretty blondes.”
Branson changed the subject to the weather,
and I could see that there was another forty
minutes to the recording, so I sped it up again.
Franken was buying Branson drink after drink, until
Branson’s words were slurred and he was obviously
drunk. About five minutes from the end, I heard
Franken say in a chipmunk voice, “Man, I’d really
like to fuck me a gorgeous blonde.”
 I slowed it down to normal speed.
“There’s lots of blondes around here,” Branson
said, the words running together. “Go screw one of
them.”
“See,” Franken said. “I’ve got this particular
one in mind. This seems like a small town. Check
out the photo. Maybe you know her.”
“Holy shit,” Branson said. “That’s Neely Kate.”
“Neely Kate, you say. So you know her?”
“Yeah, I used to know her.” He sounded
nervous. “But she’s long gone.”
“Where’d she go?”
“Dunno. I’d guess she went back to Arkansas.”
He paused, and when he spoke again, his voice
trembled as though he was forcing out the question.
“How do you know ’er?”
“A buddy of mine. Maybe you know him.”
Another pause. “Pearce Manchester.”
So Franken knew about me before he’d talked
to Branson or Beasley. How had he made the
connection?
Branson mumbled a bunch of incoherent words,
then said, “That’s that guy from Dallas, ain’t it?
That oil guy who disappeared.”
“So you do know him?”
 “Nah, I don’t know him,” Branson said in a
rush. Any fool could have seen he was lying, and I
was pretty sure Franken was no fool. “Everybody
and their brother knew about that fifty-thousand-
dollar reward.”
“His daddy sure does want him back,” Franken
said. “Dead or alive.”
“Why would his daddy want him dead? Shit.
That’s creepy as fuck.”
“A funeral, man,” Franken said. “He and his
wife are beside themselves with grief, even after all
this time.”
Neither one of them spoke for several seconds.
Then Branson said, “So just out of curiosity… you
know, hypothetically…” His tone grew bolder.
“What if he’s dead, and what if someone knew
where he was buried?”
“Are you askin’ if the reward still stands?”
Franken asked. “You bet your ass it does. Happen
to know where Pearce Manchester is buried,
Branson?”
“Me? Nah… how would I know?” His
anxiousness was back. “But I might know someone
who does.”
“Really? That would be great. Do you think you
could hook me up?”
“He’s pretty shy, but I could probably find out
from him and then take you out there myself.”
“That sounds like a deal, buddy. Now about
that blonde… I really want to screw her. There
might be a finder’s fee for her too.”
“Yeah,” Branson said in a smug tone. “I can
find that out for you too.”
The recording ended, and I stared at the screen
in horror.
 CHAPTER 16

S omething touched my arm and my heart

burst out of my chest. Bolting upright in
my chair, I shrieked as I spun my chair to the side
to face my attacker, punching Joe in the chest.
When I realized what I’d done, I jerked my earbuds
out of my ears. “Oh my word! I’m sorry!”
He rubbed his left pec as he stood upright. “I
didn’t mean to scare you, but I called your name
twice and you didn’t hear me. What were you
listening to?”
I couldn’t bring myself to immediately answer.
“Uh…”
“Whatever it was scared the shit out of you.
Want to tell me in the car while we head to the
diner?”
I nodded, then looked over at Muffy’s bed to
call her. “Where’s Muffy?”
Joe’s eyes flicked to the floor at my feet. Muffy
was sitting next to me, fully alert as though she was
guarding me.
I bent down, scooped her up, then nuzzled my
face into her neck. “You’re the best dog ever.”
She licked my face, then looked into my eyes as
though she was telling me she wouldn’t let anything
happen to me. I almost believed her.
I closed the laptop lid and shoved it into my
oversized purse. “We’re bringing this.”
Joe locked up, and once we were in the car and
on our way out of the downtown area, Joe asked,
“What did you find?”
“An audio recording of Franken talking to
Branson Tuesday night.”
He turned to me in shock. “What did he say?”
I took a shaky breath, then said, “I think you
should listen to it.”
“Okay.”
Opening the laptop, I rewound the recording to
the point where Franken said he wanted to screw a
gorgeous blonde. Joe listened in silence, his hands
gripping the steering wheel so tightly the leather
squeaked.
When the recording ended, I turned it off and
shut the laptop lid.
“Was there a photo of you on the phone?” Joe
asked. “Before or somewhere in the Ardmore
pics?”
“No,” I choked out.
“He could have deleted it, or he could have
found a photo of you online.”
“You mean like Facebook?” I asked.
“Yeah. You don’t post much, but there’s a few
photos he could have used.”
“Joe, my profile says I live in Henryetta.”
He pushed out a breath. “Yeah.”
“And Stella stopped by Miss Zelda’s
Wednesday afternoon saying they were coming into
money, then she left her baby with her last night
and she hasn’t come back to get her. She mentioned
the coming into money the day after Branson
talked to Franken.”
He shot me a glance. “It’s a sure thing, then.
They’re comin’ to find you.”
As though I needed any more trouble. “If
Franken knew where I was, why contact Branson?”
 “I don’t know. To get confirmation that you
were who he was looking for? I’m pretty sure
Branson gave it to him. Maybe he also wanted to
get confirmation Branson was part of it. But how
did Franken find out about you or if he told
anyone?” Joe gave me a grim look. “As for
Branson, Carlisle was going to look into him. We
need to tell him about this latest development.”
I frowned. “You want me to tell him?”
“Honestly, no. I don’t. But like I said before,
it’s plain as day the guy is head over heels in love
with you, so I trust him to do everything in his
power to protect you.”
His comment about Jed being in love with me
hurt, but I shoved it down. Now was not the time to
think about my feelings. “Thanks, Joe. That means
a lot to me.”
“But when this is all said and done, I won’t be
so understanding, so don’t see this as me accepting
him with open arms.”
“I wouldn’t trust you if you said you had.” I
texted Jed and told him we had news about
Branson meeting Franken in Ardmore. When he
didn’t answer, I sent another text telling him that
Joe and I were headed to the diner and would let
him know what we found out.
The diner parking lot was crowded when we
pulled in at 11:50, but it was a popular place known
for its home cooking, so I wasn’t surprised.
“There’s no way we can see what’s goin’ on out
here,” Joe said in frustration. “I’m going to have to
go in.”
“Why you?” I asked in an accusatory tone.
“We can’t leave Muffy in the car, and I’m sure
as hell not sendin’ you.”
“You want me to sit in the car by myself?” I
asked. “Aren’t you worried Kate’s goin’ to snatch
me while you’re inside?”
“Yeah,” he said, sounding irritated. “I am. We
should have dropped Muffy off with Maeve.”
“It was my suggestion to bring her.”
He scrubbed his face with his hand. “I’m sorry.
I shouldn’t take this out on you, of all people.
You’re the…” His voice trailed off.
“The what?” I asked, getting pissed. “The
victim?”
“Neely Kate,” he pleaded. “There’s nothing to
be ashamed of.”
“The hell there’s not,” I said. “I did plenty of
stupid things to get me in this situation, so don’t
ever call me a victim again.”
He turned to face me with a serious expression.
“First of all, whatever you think you did will never
justify what happened to you. Do you hear me?”
When I didn’t answer, he raised his voice. “Do you
hear me?”
Tears sprang to my eyes and I nodded.
“As for the victim part.” A twinkle filled his
eyes. “I’d like to remind you that I never said the
word. You did.”
I smacked his arm and he laughed.
“You’ve got a lot of power in that tiny arm.”
“Tiny arm my behind,” I said. Then I saw a man
in my peripheral vision. “That man looks familiar.
Who is it?”
Joe leaned forward and squinted. “Well, I’ll be
damned. That’s Brox Collard.”
“One of those mountain men?” I asked.
“I guess you could call him that. His father is
Gerard Collard, and before Mason hightailed it out
of here the first time, we were both workin’ to put
him away.”
“First time?” I asked. “Mason’s only left once.”
His face hardened. “And if I have my way, he’ll
be leaving the second time soon enough.”
 “Why are you after the mountain men?” I
asked.
“Rumor has it that Gerard has a weapons stash
that could arm the entire Arkansas National Guard
three times over.”
“Is there some law about how many weapons a
person can own?”
“No, but there’s plenty of laws against
possession of illegal firearms. Rumor also has it
he’s got plenty of high-powered weapons civilians
aren’t supposed to have. But Gerard thinks he’s
entitled because he considers himself and his boys a
militia.”
“Where’d he get the guns?” I asked, regretting
it as soon as the words left my mouth.
He gave me a dark look. “A reliable source tells
me he got ’em from Skeeter Malcolm.” He paused,
then said, “I think it’s only fair to tell you that
Mason’s goin’ balls to the wall trying to take Gerard
down. And he’s bringin’ down whoever sold him
those weapons.”
“Jed,” I whispered.
“Don’t get too attached to him, Neely Kate,
because I’m not sure how long he’ll be around.”
I stared at Joe in horror. “No. You have to stop
Mason.”
“Neely Kate, Gerard Collard is a dangerous
man.”
“Then arrest him and leave Jed out of it.”
“Neely Kate.”
“He’s changin’, Joe. Just like you and me.
Please.”
He gave me a long look. “Seems to me that the
both of us have paid for our mistakes, you a few
times over. What has Carlisle sacrificed?”
I stared at him, unsure how to answer.
His face softened, then he turned to see Brox
Collard walk into the diner. “We’ll talk about
Carlisle later. Brox Collard showin’ up at the same
time Franken was meeting someone is a little too
coincidental for me. I need to go check this out.
Lock the doors and call me if you run into trouble.”
He opened the driver’s door and got out,
leaving the car running.
I spun around to face Muffy in the backseat.
“He’s just gonna leave us out here?”
Muffy barked.
“Yeah,” I said. “You’re right. We’re take-
charge women and we don’t sit around waitin’ for
any man. Even my brother.” I picked up my purse
off the floor and set it on my lap. “How do you feel
about bein’ a purse dog?”
I hadn’t expected her to actually understand
me, but to my surprise, Muffy jumped onto my lap
and hopped inside my purse. Leaning over, I turned
off the engine, then snatched up the key fob as I
got out, carefully slinging my purse strap over my
shoulder.
“This isn’t Walmart,” I told Muffy as I locked
the car and strode toward the diner’s entrance. “So
no hoppin’ out of my purse onto a counter this time.
You have to stay put.”
She looked up at me through the purse opening
with a look that suggested I’d insulted her. To get
her point across, she let out a silent but deadly fart.
“Oh, my stars and garters, Muffy,” I choked out
as I waved away the fumes in front of my face.
“Never mind. Point taken. Now stay out of sight.”
I walked through the entrance, scanning the
dining area for Joe and not finding him anywhere.
Brox Collard was at the counter by himself and
perusing a menu, but it was the guy in a booth in
the center of the dining room that caught my
attention.
My cousin Witt.
 He looked downright pissed when he saw me,
but I realized he could be my cover. “Long time no
see, cousin,” I said when I reached the corner of his
booth.
“What are you doin’ here, Neely Kate?” He
sounded annoyed.
“Well, hello to you too,” I said, sliding into the
bench seat across from him. “Gettin’ lunch the
same as you.”
His jaw tightened. “I’m meetin’ someone,
which means you have to go.”
I shot him a playful look. “Who are you
meetin’?”
“I’ll tell you later. Now go.”
Just about to tear into him, I stopped as a
horrible thought filled my head. Witt had a criminal
record, but since he’d come home from prison, he’d
insisted he was neutral in the criminal world. But
lately Rose and I had been draggin’ him back in.
He’d spent more time than I’d realized with Jed
lately, and he’d also spent time with Dermot and his
men. After the mechanic shop where Witt had
worked suddenly shut down, he’d gotten it in his
head that he wanted to open his own shop. But
Granny had said his funding had fallen through, and
last I heard, he still didn’t have a job. What if he’d
gone back to the criminal life?
What if he was meeting Franken?
With my heart in my throat, I pushed out, “You
need to tell me who you’re meetin’. Right now.”
“I don’t have to tell you nothin’, Neely Kate.
Go.”
“Witt. Please.”
“Dammit, Neely Kate.” He studied me for a
moment and said, “I’m meetin’ Barb Nelson. Now
get out of here.”
My eyebrows shot up. That was the
granddaughter of one of Granny’s archnemeses.
They’d gotten into a scrap at bingo a year ago,
something about a lucky dauber. But Barb was a
few years older than us, and she didn’t seem like
Witt’s usual flashy girlfriends. Barb was more
suitable as the wife of a Sunday school teacher at
the Henryetta Baptist Church. “Barb Nelson? Does
Granny know? Do I need to remind you of the time
Granny got kicked out of the bingo hall?”
He rolled his eyes. “I remember it well, which is
why I need you to get out of here before Barb sees
you and thinks she’s gettin’ ambushed. I already
had a hard enough time gettin’ her to agree to have
lunch with me.”
“Okay,” I grumbled. “Fine, but I want to be
there when you tell Granny.”
“There’s nothing to tell.” He glanced at his
phone, then back up at me. “What are you doin’
here? You never come out this way.”
I wasn’t aware that he’d been tracking my
lunch habits. I considered telling him what was
going on but decided the fewer people who knew at
the moment, the better. “I decided to try something
new.”
He glanced toward the door then back to me,
leaning his forearm on the table. “I heard Kate
Simmons escaped from the funny farm, and yet
you’re prancin’ around like you’re going to a May
Day parade. What are you doin’, Neely Kate?”
I wrinkled my brow. “Prancin’ around? What
the Sam Hill are you talkin’ about?” I shook my
head. “Never mind. Look.” I reached over the table
and covered his hand with mine. “I know you’re
worried, but Jed and Joe have it covered.”
“You need to go. You shouldn’t be here.
Where’s Joe now?”
“In here somewhere. I’m safe.” Wait. Why
hadn’t he asked about Jed?
 “Well, I’ve got a bad feelin’. I’d feel better if
you left.”
The worry in his eyes convinced me he was
sincere, but I wasn’t ready to go yet. “Okay. I’ll
find Joe and leave, but first I’ve got to go to the
restroom.”
The corners of his mouth tugged down in
disapproval, but he said, “Fine, but promise me that
you’ll leave as soon as you’re done.”
“Love you too,” I said in a mocking tone just to
antagonize him and slid out of the booth. As I
stood, I caught a glimpse of Joe glaring at me from
the end of the lunch counter by the door, his face
partially buried in a menu. So that’s why I hadn’t
seen him when I walked in. He was hiding behind
the door. I headed toward the back, but I was still
looking over my shoulder, so I didn’t see the man
directly in front of me. I bumped into his chest, and
he grabbed my arms to steady me.
“I’m sorry,” I said as I regained my footing.
“No problem,” was his gruff response, but his
eyes didn’t look all that friendly. He looked to be in
his late thirties. He was tall and his thick, beefy
arms stretched the short sleeves of his dark T-shirt.
His brown hair was cut fairly short, and he wore a
short, dark beard.
Muffy released a low growl from inside my
purse.
Keeping his gaze on me, the guy’s eyes widened
in shock and his hold on my left arm tightened. He
released my right arm and started to drag me to the
back door.
“What do you think you’re doin’?” I asked,
getting pissed.
“Shut up and do what I say.” He lifted his shirt
with his left hand to show me the butt of a gun
sticking out of the top of his jeans.
I was pretty sure I’d just figured out who
Franken was meeting.
I shot a glance back to Joe, who was already
out of his seat.
The man saw where I was looking, then
grabbed a table with his free hand and tipped it
over, sending food, plates, and drinks flying and
blocking Joe’s path.
Witt jumped out of his booth and tried to get
around the overturned table, but a waitress carrying
three plates of food stumbled in the pandemodium.
Her plates landed on Witt, covering him in gravy
and spaghetti sauce.
 The restaurant was in chaos now. My captor
took advantage of the distraction and didn’t even
try to hide that he was abducting me as he pulled
me past the remaining tables toward the back door.
I tried kicking him in the shin, but he was dragging
me too quickly and his arms were so long my foot
couldn’t reach him. Still in my purse, Muffy stuck
her head out of the opening and released a low
snarl.
My abductor shoved the back door open with
his shoulder and dragged me outside, then reached
for a fifty-five-gallon barrel a few feet from the
door with his right hand and started wrestling it to
block the now-closed door.
As I continued trying to pull free, I turned
toward him, hoping to get a good kick at his shin,
but his long outstretched arm held me far enough
away I couldn’t reach.
Think, Neely Kate. Think.
Fisting my right hand, I twisted and tried to
smash it into his arm, but his grip on my left bicep
was tight enough to keep me from connecting. My
fist slid down the side of his forearm.
He cursed, clearly frustrated with my squirming
while trying to move the barrel. He gave me a hard
shove to the ground, slamming my back into the
building as I landed on my butt, momentarily
stunned. My purse landed on the ground next to
me.
Now that he had both hands free, he had no
trouble positioning the barrel to block the door.
I came to my senses enough to realize I needed
to dig out my pepper spray or try to get away.
Muffy was still in my purse looking none the worse
for wear, but my pepper spray had to be buried
beneath her, and I didn’t have time to rummage
around. Still on the ground, I started to scramble to
the side, hoping to get out of his reach, but he
noticed my movement. He was quick for a big guy.
Leaning over, he grabbed my wrist and tried to haul
me to my feet as I dug my heels into the gravel.
Muffy bared her teeth and released a loud
growl, then sprang out of my purse. With a huge
leap, she sank her teeth into his wrist and held on
tight.
He shouted and swatted at her, trying to get her
off him, but she dug in even more, releasing vicious
sounds that scared even me. My kidnapper released
his hold on me and lifted his arm as he tried to
shake her loose.
 Terrified for Muffy, I found a rotten piece of
wood next to the building and used it to whack the
guy in the shin.
He let out a yell and I barely escaped a vicious
kick with my awkward backward crab walk, but he
was concentrating more on Muffy, who was still
hanging onto his now-bleeding wrist.
“Neely Kate!” Joe shouted as he rounded the
corner out of breath, with his gun in his hand. His
jaw dropped open when he saw Muffy, but he
quickly recovered and pointed his gun at the man,
shouting, “Stop! Sheriff’s department!”
Witt ran around the corner seconds later, his
shirt covered in stains, but he didn’t stop, instead
running straight toward me. Hooking his hands
under my armpits, he dragged me further out of
reach then up to my feet before pushing me behind
him.
“Get this dog off me!” the man shouted, still
trying to shake her free. Muffy’s feet dangled and I
tried to get around Witt to save her.
“Neely Kate,” Witt snapped. “What the hell do
you think you’re doin’?”
“Muffy!” I screamed. “Come!”
Muffy let go of his wrist, dropped to her feet,
then bolted for me.
The man tried to make a run for it, but Witt
took off after him as Joe shouted, “Freeze!”
If he was talking to Witt, my cousin ignored
him, leaping for the suspect and tackling him to the
ground.
I dipped to a squat and scooped Muffy up into
my arms, holding her close with my shaky arms.
“Witt!” I called out. “He has a gun!”
Joe ran over with his own gun still aimed at my
kidnapper, but Witt had managed to get the guy
face-first in the dirt and wrestled his arms around
his back.
Whipping out his handcuffs, Joe tossed them to
Witt. “Would you do me the honor of cuffing this
son of a bitch?”
The look on my cousin’s face was deadly.
“With pleasure.”
 CHAPTER 17

W itt hauled the guy up to sit on his

butt. Then Joe squatted in front of
him and tugged the guy’s gun out of his waistband
and tossed it toward the cars parked behind the
building.
“How do you know Neely Kate?” he asked,
pointing his own gun in the man’s face.
The guy glared up at him. “You’re supposed to
read me my rights.”
Joe looked him over with an even expression.
“Who said you’re under arrest?”
The guy’s gaze shot up to me then back to Joe
with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
“How do you know Neely Kate?” Joe repeated.
 “Who says I know her?” the guy asked with a
smart-ass grin.
“Give me five minutes with him,” Witt said.
“I’ll get what we need.”
“That’s police brutality,” my kidnapper said in a
smug tone.
“Except I’m not the police,” Witt said through
gritted teeth.
“Witt,” Joe cautioned.
Witt looked like he wanted to punch someone,
and it wasn’t Joe or me.
“I’m still not talkin’” the guy said. “I know my
rights.”
“What’s your name?” Joe asked, his tone
surprisingly calm.
The guy gave him a shit-eating grin.
Pushing out a sigh, Joe said, “Witt, pat him
down and find his wallet.”
A menacing grin lifted the corner of Witt’s
mouth, but he wasn’t overly rough as he felt the
guy’s front and back pockets. Narrowing his eyes,
Witt stood and turned to Joe. “No wallet. No
phone. No keys. Nothing.”
The man’s grin spread.
Joe put his hands on his hips and studied the
guy for several seconds, then shook his head and
pulled out his phone.
“Who are you callin’?” I asked.
“The station. We need to haul him in and book
him for attempted kidnapping and assault.” His
gaze narrowed on my reddened arm. “To say
nothing of the damage he caused in the diner.”
Holding Muffy with one hand, I grabbed his
arm and tugged him backward a few steps before
whispering, “You can’t arrest him, Joe. What if he
knows?”
Joe’s face hardened. “He tried to kidnap you,
Neely Kate. There’s no way in hell I’m lettin’ this
guy go.”
My stomach churned, and I felt faint as panic
swept through my head, but I knew he was right. I
couldn’t let this guy go. What if he tried to hurt
someone else?
My brother bent at his knees and looked into
my eyes as he reached up and cupped my cheek. “I
won’t let anything happen to you, Neely Kate.”
“You can’t promise that.” My voice shook. “No
one can.”
“You have to trust me on this. Okay?”
My chin trembling, I nodded. “Okay.”
 He stood upright and tugged me to his chest.
“Thank you.”
Then he kissed the top of my head and placed
his call.
Witt continued to glare at my would-be
kidnapper, until Joe hung up. Then he said, “I’m
taking Neely Kate home.”
“You can’t,” Joe said. “We need her
statement.”
Witt shook his head in disgust, then turned his
wrath on my brother. “How the hell did this
happen?”
Joe didn’t answer, merely stood there with a
guilty look in his eye.
“You were supposed to be watching her. Jed
said you had it covered.”
“You talked to Jed?” I asked in surprise.
“Of course I talked to Jed!” he shouted. “You
never bothered to call and let me know what was
going on! I was here at Jed’s request waiting for the
guy who was meetin’ Franken—or woulda met
Franken if Franken… well.” Then he added in a
defeated tone. “You should have called me, Neely
Kate.”
“I…” I stammered. I pushed out a breath, then
gave him an apologetic look. “You’re right. I’m
sorry.”
His anger returned. “That still doesn’t explain
how she wandered in,” Witt said to my brother.
“Same reason as you.”
“I know that,” Witt said in disgust. “I’m talkin’
about leavin’ her out in the car alone. I saw her
walk in and nearly lost my shit.”
Joe’s face reddened. “It wasn’t ideal, but I saw
Brox Collard walk in and I didn’t want to lose him.
Neely Kate stayed in the car with Muffy.”
“It’s not his fault, Witt,” I insisted. “I was
adamant that we bring Muffy. If it’s anyone’s fault,
it’s mine.”
Witt didn’t look appeased, but he didn’t say
anything either.
“Look, it is what it is,” Joe said with a defeated
sigh. “There’s no goin’ back now.”
Witt glanced over his shoulder at my wannbe
abductor, who was still sitting on the ground,
watching us with an amused grin.
“What’s so funny, you son of a bitch?” Witt
asked.
“You all have no idea what’s comin’.”
Joe took a couple of steps closer. “Then
enlighten us.”
The guy laughed, and his gaze landed on me.
Witt moved in front of me, blocking the guy’s
view of me. “What about her?”
“This is so much bigger than her, but she’s the
key.”
“The key to what?” Joe asked, standing next to
Witt and forming a wall between us.
His smug tone was back. “I’m not sayin’
another word.”
I could hear the faint sound of sirens, which
meant we didn’t have much time. I set Muffy on
the ground, then pushed through my cousin and my
brother, stopping in front of the guy. I stared down
at him in disgust. “Where were you plannin’ to take
me?”
He winked. “Get these cuffs off me and I’ll
show you.”
I tilted my head to the side, studying him for a
second. “Joe, give me the handcuff key.”
“No fucking way,” he growled.
Witt said, “Give it to her.”
Joe swore under his breath, then said, “We’re
not letting him go.”
“Don’t worry,” Witt said. “There’s no way in
hell he’s gettin’ away,”
“We’re not shootin’ him either.”
I glanced over my shoulder and caught Joe’s
eye. “Trust me.”
Joe pushed out another heavy sigh, then walked
around the guy and uncuffed him. “If you think
about boltin’, I’ll shoot you in the kneecap. You’ve
been warned.”
The guy looked amused. “I thought you just
said no one was shootin’ me.”
Joe narrowed his eyes with a glare as he
stopped next to me. “Maybe I’m reservin’ that bit
of fun for myself.”
I shot a glance toward Joe. “Now I need you to
walk around the corner out of sight.”
“No. Way.”
“Joe,” I pleaded. “It’s safer for you this way.”
“I’m already in this deep,” he said, backing up
several feet behind me. The sirens were growing
louder. “I’m stayin’, but you better hurry.”
Nodding, I moved closer to the guy again, but
still out of his reach. “Okay, I got you uncuffed.
Now tell me where you were takin’ me.”
He grinned. “My offer to show you still stands.”
I crossed my arms, watching his body language
so I’d be ready when he pounced, because I knew
he would. I was counting on it. “See, this here’s
what we call a compromise. I gave you something,
now you give me somethin’.”
He licked his upper lip. “Oh, I wanna give you
somethin’.”
Witt cursed behind me, but I held up a hand in
warning.
I lifted an eyebrow. “Here’s what I think:
You’re a lot of talk and you don’t know nothin’.
You’re just some low-level pawn sent to get me,
knowin’ you were expendable.”
His face reddened. “You don’t know shit.”
“And that’s where we’re alike,” I said. “Neither
do you.”
His body tensed, and I knew he was close to
springing into action.
“But that’s okay,” I said, dropping my arms to
my side as I walked to his left side. “A big tough
guy like you… you’ll do well in prison.” I leaned
forward slightly. “Of course, you’ll have to switch
from screwin’ girls to men, but I suspect this big
tough-guy act is you just compensatin’ from stayin’
in the closet so long.”
He released a low growl, then launched himself
at me, but I was ready. I slammed the heel of my
palm into his throat. He fell to his knees, clutching
his neck and gagging.
I moved to his left side again, just out of arm’s
reach. “I really hated doin’ that because now
you’re gonna have a hard time tellin’ me what I
want to know.”
His teary gaze lifted to mine. Hate had replaced
his amusement.
“You claim you’re in the know, so prove it.
How do you know about me?”
“I don’t know nothing,” he croaked.
I lifted my shoulders into a nonchalant shrug. “I
get it. They told you not to talk. I bet you think
they’re gonna send a lawyer, but you know what I
think? You’re doomed either way. If you really
don’t know anything, they’ll let you rot. You’re a
liability otherwise. But if you do know something,
they’ll have you killed, because you, my friend, are
goin’ to prison. There’s no gettin’ out of it. You
tried to snatch me in front of a whole room full of
people.”
“Your secret will get out,” he said, recovering
his voice. “Everyone will know.”
I nearly showed a reaction to that. What did he
know about my secret? But I played it like I was
clueless. “Now I know you’re bluffin’,” I said,
walking back in front of him. “You just said you
didn’t know anything.”
“Maybe I know something after all.”
“I’m callin’ malarkey,” I said. “I was right
about you bein’ expendable. You have to be if
you’re stupid enough to try to grab me in a
restaurant full of people.”
He released another low growl.
Then I remembered he was supposed to meet
Franken, not me. And Franken had been in town
stalking me. What if this guy was supposed to meet
Franken to get the information he’d gathered, then
plan his kidnapping? One thing was certain, this guy
knew who I was when he saw me. Maybe he was
so shocked, he decided to snatch me right then and
there, previous plans be damned.
I decided to take a chance. “Franken sold you
out, you know.”
His eyes widened in surprise.
“He took the information and ran. He set you
up. Who do you think told him to do that?”
His body tensed and he fisted his hands at his
sides. “You’re lyin’.”
 The sirens grew louder.
“Am I?” I asked. “How did we know to come
here at noon?”
“I’m still not tellin’ you nothin’.”
“What were you supposed to do with me?” I
asked. “Where were you supposed to take me?”
Evil lit up his eyes. “I don’t know what you’re
talkin’ about. I mistook you for my girlfriend.”
“Then how do you explain draggin’ me out of
there?”
“Mistaken identity. My bitch likes it rough.”
“I think I found his car,” Witt said, from behind
me. “Texas plates.”
“Were you plannin’ to take me to Dallas?” I
asked.
He flicked his gaze up to Joe. “I’m not talkin’ in
front of the law man.”
“Joe,” I said.
“I’m not leavin’,” he grunted.
“I’ll play backup,” Witt said, walking up behind
me. “I think you’re gonna want to take a peek at
the backseat floorboard of Bozo’s car.”
Joe gave me a reluctant look, then walked
toward the dark gray sedan.
“I’m not talkin’ in front of him either,” the guy
said, motioning to Witt.
“I ain’t no law man,” Witt said. “I’m the damn
opposite. I spent enough time at the Arkansas
Department of Correction for armed robbery that I
can assure you that you’re gonna love it.”
The guy’s eyes narrowed.
“Where the hell were you gonna take her?”
Witt asked.
“Who are you to her?”
“Her cousin, but more like a brother,” Witt said,
his voice tight. “And I wanna know too.”
The guy grinned. “I was plannin’ to take my
time with her, you know?”
“No,” I said, playing dumb. “I don’t know.”
“I was supposed to find out where the money
was, but they didn’t care how I got the
information.”
Witt looked like he wanted to strangle the guy,
and his tormentor was loving every minute of it.
I stared at the guy in horror, making sure my
face was a mask of indifference, but then I became
furious. He was just one more prick who thought he
could do what he wanted to me because I had a
vagina instead of a penis, and I was sick to death of
it. “I doubt you could have gotten the job done,” I
mocked. “You know what they say about big guys.
They can’t get it up.”
Witt sent me a shocked look, then quickly
caught on. “You’ll be popular in prison. They like
to screw big guys like you.”
“Shut up,” he said through gritted teeth.
The sirens were right on top of us now, but I
was pretty sure I’d gotten everything he was going
to spill. This next part was for my own satisfaction.
“That was probably your last chance to ever
screw a woman,” I said. “I bet they put kidnappers
away for a long time. You’re gonna be all shriveled
up when you get out.”
His face turned even more crimson.
“I’m gonna make sure they throw the book at
you. I’ll be there in court when the judge hands out
that long, long sentence. And just think, if you
hadn’t bungled this so badly, you could have been
takin’ your time with me right now.” I gave him a
look of disgust. “And I would’ve taken one look at
what you’ve got tucked in your undies and
wondered how you planned to get the job done
with that.”
He lunged for me then, but I was ready for him.
I kneed him hard in the groin, then as he started to
bend forward, I punched him in the nose. Blood
spurted all over me, and he started to reach for my
hair, but Witt was behind him and grabbed one of
his arms to pull him away from me.
The guy spun around, recovering enough to
take a swing at my cousin, but Witt was ready for
him, getting in a punch to his gut and a
counterpunch to his face.
The guy released a roar and went after Witt, but
Witt was faster. He ducked a punch and got in one
of his own before the guy clipped Witt’s cheek as
he was squatting to get out of the way.
Grabbing my shoulder, Joe tugged me
backward, out of the way of the brawling men.
“Shouldn’t you stop them?” I asked, worried
about Witt even though he was holding his own.
“Witt’s got it covered, and I think he needs this.
Besides, they’re here to handle it now.” He
gestured to the group of sheriff’s deputies rounding
the corner.
Two deputies grabbed each man, pulling them
apart. They started to handcuff them both, but Joe
made it clear Witt wasn’t guilty of anything.
One of the deputies gave him a questioning
look. I was sure they were wondering why Joe
hadn’t tried to stop them.
Joe held up his hands in surrender. “Witt was
protecting his cousin. First the asshole tried to
kidnap my sister from inside the diner, then while
we were waitin’ for you, he attacked her again.”
One of the deputies’ eyes widened in surprise.
“Your sister was here?” He spun around, looking
right past me.
“Not Kate Simmons,” Joe said, then gestured to
me. “Neely Kate Rivers. She’s my half sister. We
only just found out in February, but we’ve kept it
under wraps while the FBI was investigating my
father. It was safer for her that way.”
The deputies studied me with open curiosity in
light of this new information, and one of them
asked, “Do you need medical attention?”
I swiped at my cheek and realized the guy had
bled on me when I’d punched his nose. “It’s his
blood.”
They turned their attention to my attacker and
took in his bloodied face.
“That asshole tried to kidnap Neely Kate,” Witt
said. A line of blood trickled down his cheek. “Joe
and I chased him out here. There’s a restaurant full
of people who can give statements that he grabbed
her and forcibly dragged her out the back door.”
“Why isn’t he cuffed?” another deputy asked.
“We initially cuffed him,” Joe said, “but since
he attacked my sister, I wanted to make sure there
was no impropriety. So I uncuffed him and we
waited for y’all to make it official. We just kept an
eye on him to make sure he didn’t get away.” He
gestured behind him. “Be sure to peer into the back
windows of that gray sedan with the Texas plates.
You’ll find some interesting evidence.” He lifted his
hands again. “I didn’t touch a thing. I just looked in
the windows.”
One of the deputies peeked inside the back
window for several seconds, then said, “Hold him
in the back of a cruiser while we take statements
and get a warrant to search this car.”
“What’s in there, Joe?” I asked.
He shook his head but kept his eye on the
kidnapper as one of the deputies guided him toward
the corner of the building.
The guy turned to face me with a gleeful look.
“It’s not over, pretty girl. Not by a long shot.”
 CHAPTER 18

W e spent the next hour at the diner,

waiting around to give our
statements. Witt was somber, refusing medical
attention when the paramedics showed up. I’d tried
to refuse too, but Joe had thrown a full-fledged fit
and told me I had to wait to give my statement, so I
might as well let them look me over. As I took in
his pain-filled eyes, I threw my arms around his
back and hugged him tight. “I really am okay, Joe,
but I’ll let them look me over to ease your mind.”
His arms wrapped around me and held me
close. I winced when his arm pressed against a sore
spot on my back, and he pulled back like I’d
scalded him. “See? You’re not all right.”
 “It’s a bruise, Joe. I’m fine.”
He looked close to breaking down. “Witt’s
right.”
I wrinkled my nose. “About what?”
“I was careless with you. I’m sorry.”
I propped a hand on my thrust-out hip. “Joe
Simmons, you should know by now that I do what I
want. And besides, I don’t regret bringin’ Muffy.
She helped save me.”
A tiny grin played on his lips. “I’ve seen her do
the same for Rose. You realize she’s just as much
yours as she is ours.”
I glanced down at the dog lying on top of my
foot. “She’s special to me too. Even before today.”
“Are you gonna call Rose and tell her what
happened?”
“Shoot, no. There’s no way in Hades I’m
ruining her weekend. She’s been looking forward to
this all week.”
He scratched his head as his focus turned to the
deputies surrounding my kidnapper’s car as they
waited for their warrant. “That must be one heck of
a special event she’s attending.”
“You have no idea.” I couldn’t hide my grin,
but thankfully he wasn’t watching me.
 The paramedics set me in the back of the
ambulance to check me over, letting Muffy sit next
to me while Witt stood guard next to the back
doors. They declared me fine except for a few
scrapes and bruises, telling me to put ice on my
swollen knuckles from punching the guy. After a
deputy took a few photos of me with the blood
spatters on my face and shirt, they sent me inside
the diner to clean up. I put Muffy back in my purse,
and then Witt took it and carried it on his shoulder
while he escorted me inside. “I’ll watch her.”
When I emerged from the bathroom with a
freshly scrubbed face, the owner of the diner, an
older man with a stained white apron over his
paunch and salt-and-pepper hair was waiting for
me. He introduced himself as Mel and insisted Witt
and I stay inside until the sheriff’s deputies released
us to leave.
“Thanks,” I said. “But we’ve got Muffy.” I
gestured to Witt. Muffy’s head was sticking out of
my purse.
“From what I hear, that dog’s a hero,” he said.
“She can stay. I’ll even bring her a hamburger as a
reward.” He pushed us into a booth. “I guarantee
you’ll never get snatched from this place again,
Neely Kate. I’ll personally shoot the next bastard
who tries.” Then he showed us the gun tucked in
his waistband.
Witt’s face pinched with anger, but I gave the
owner a warm smile. “Thank you, Mel.” He
insisted I needed his potato soup to help calm my
nerves, and since I loved potato soup, I wasn’t
about to argue. Witt refused any food, looking like
he was a box of fireworks parked next to a bonfire.
He’d set my purse next to him, opening it enough
for Muffy to get out, but she stayed where she was,
looking alert.
“Witt,” I said softly as soon as Mel walked
away, “I’m fine.”
He glanced out the window of the parking lot,
toward my kidnapper’s car. “I was right here,
Neely Kate. Right here and he got you out the
fuckin’ door.” He looked on the verge of tears.
Muffy let out a little whimper and climbed out
of my purse, resting her head on Witt’s lap. His
hand found her head and he began stroking
absently.
I slid out of my seat and into his, grabbing his
other hand and leaning my head on his shoulder.
Some of the tension left Witt’s body and he
slipped an arm around my back, his fingers digging
into my hip as though making sure I couldn’t slip
away. We sat like that for nearly a minute before he
said, “I failed you before, and I failed you again.
Maybe I am just a worthless piece of shit.”
I jerked upright and twisted to look into his
face, unsure which part of his statement to address
first. “When did you fail me?”
“When you went to Ardmore. I should have
been there for you. I fucked up my life and wasn’t
around when you needed me.”
Witt had fallen in with the wrong crowd and
he’d gotten arrested before I’d graduated. But he’d
been there when I’d come home. He’d seen me
broken—in both body and spirit—and he’d been
the one to pull me out of it. Sure, our cousin Allen
Jackson had helped, but Witt had been the one at
my side through it all. Now I realized he blamed
himself for not being there to prevent it from
happening in the first place.
Pushing out a heavy sigh, I said, “Witt, I was
bound and determined to go to Ardmore, whether
you were there or not.”
“But you might have called me when you got
into trouble if I’d been around.”
 I gave it a moment of thought and said, “No. I
was too proud. Too stubborn. Too young.”
Softness filled his eyes. “What happened to
you, Neely Kate? This is all part of that, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” I said quietly. “It’s leftover Ardmore
mess.” He was part of it now too. He needed to
know. “But this isn’t the time or place to tell you.
When we leave, okay?”
He nodded. “Yeah. Okay.”
An older woman walked up to our table.
“Excuse me, I don’t mean to interrupt, but I just
wanted to make sure you were okay, dear.”
I gave her a warm smile. “I’m fine. Just a little
shaken is all.”
“I should say.” She gave Muffy an appreciative
look. “I hear your little dog was a hero.”
“That she was,” Witt said, plastering on a good-
natured smile that had to be fake, and I suddenly
realized he did that a lot. “She saved the day.”
“You’re lucky to have such a loyal friend.”
I turned to Witt and gave him a tearful smile as
I squeezed his hand. “Don’t I know it.”
She walked away, and I said, “You’re not a
piece of shit, Witt. I know that the financing on
your garage fell through, but there will be
something else, okay? Don’t give up hope.”
He shook his head and returned his gaze out the
window.
A deputy slid into the booth, across the table
from us, just as a waitress showed up with my soup.
We both gave our statements, but Witt seemed
nervous, not that I blamed him. After his
conviction, he’d done his best to stay away from
law enforcement officials.
As soon as we finished, Joe showed up looking
exhausted. “We can go. They’re booking the guy,
but a cursory search leads us to believe he’s Alonzo
Adkins from Irving, Texas. He’s not likely to get
out on bail. Not after the high-powered weapons
we found in his trunk.”
“What did you see in his backseat?” I asked.
He looked like he wasn’t going to answer, but
he finally said, “Rope, a hypodermic needle.”
“A big knife,” Witt said in a deadpan voice, still
looking out the window. “Some zip ties.”
“So your basic kidnapping kit,” I said in a
teasing tone.
Neither man looked amused.
“Okay,” I said. “Enough mopin’. We still have
work to do.”
 Witt dug his phone out of his pocket and
frowned. “You need to answer your phone. Jed’s
having a fit.”
“It’s in my purse.”
He rummaged around until he found it and
handed it to me. My phone had blown up over the
last hour and a half. Calls and texts from Jed, Rose,
Maeve, Jonah, and Granny. But the text that caught
my attention was the one from Kate.
I see you found your surprise.
I held it up and showed Joe.
“She knew Adkins would be here,” he said.
“How’d she know?”
“Franken,” I whispered.
Joe frowned and glanced around, then said,
“Let’s go back to the landscaping office and we’ll
fill you in. Neely Kate, you’re ridin’ with me.”
I expected an argument from Witt, and the tight
set of Joe’s jaw suggested he did too, but Witt just
nodded and handed me my purse. Muffy, who was
still on Witt’s lap, shifted as he moved.
“Witt,” I said. “Will you take Muffy?”
His brow lifted in surprise. “Why don’t you
take her?”
I nodded my head toward her. “I think she
needs you right now.” Honestly, I suspected he
needed her more—and Muffy knew it—but I
wasn’t about to say so.
“Yeah. Sure.” He scooped her up and followed
me out of the booth.
“I have a few calls and texts to return,” I told
Joe as soon as we got into the car.
He nodded but remained silent as I texted Rose
that I was fine, not to worry. Next I called my
grandmother, but my cousin answered.
“Hey, Dolly Parton,” I said. “I saw I missed a
call from Granny.”
“She’s in the bathroom right now and she just
went in. She had wings from Big Bill’s, so it might
be a while.”
“Do you know what she was callin’ about?”
“Not a clue.”
Surely Dolly Parton would have known if it was
important. “Will you tell her to call me back when
she gets a chance?”
“Sure.” Then she hung up.
I rolled my eyes and sent both Maeve and
Jonah texts assuring them I was fine. Then I called
Jed.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice tight with
worry.
“I’m fine. They took the guy into custody, so
I’m safe.”
Joe shot me a dark look.
“Is he talkin’?” Jed asked. “Does he know
anything about you?”
I told him what I knew, including his parting
words.
“You’re not safe. You’re anything but safe.”
“Jed,” I said. “There’s more. I found an audio
recording from Tuesday night of someone we think
is Franken questioning Branson at what sounds like
a bar.” I paused. “Franken had a photo of me that
he showed Branson, and Branson told him who I
was and that I’d likely come back to Arkansas.”
“Shit.”
“I know,” I said, my chest tight.
“Where are you now?” he growled.
“We’re on our way back to the landscaping
office.”
“We who? Joe? Put me on speaker.”
Cringing, I did as he asked, then listened to him
ream Joe up one side and down the other about
risking my safety. Surprisingly, Joe remained silent
until Jed finally stopped.
 “You done?” Joe asked in a terse voice.
“For now.”
“Well, you didn’t say anything I haven’t
already told myself,” Joe said. “And then some, so
no argument from me.”
“Joe,” I said quietly.
He shook his head. “It’s not up for discussion.
We need to focus on figuring out what the
Hardshaw Group is doing here and how Kate is one
step ahead of us. Have you made any progress?”
“No,” Jed grumbled. “I met with Denny
Carmichael, but he claims he doesn’t know a damn
thing.”
“Do you believe him?” Joe asked.
“No.”
“You might be barkin’ up the wrong tree
anyway,” Joe said. “Brox Collard showed up to the
diner, shortly before noon.”
“Brox Collard?” He paused for a moment.
“Talkin’ to Gerard is gonna be tricky. He and
Skeeter had a fallin’ out a few weeks ago, so he
probably won’t be too receptive to meetin’ with
me.”
“Fallin’ out over what?” Joe asked.
Jed hesitated a moment, then said, “There’s no
reason for you to know that part. What happened
with Brox?”
“I have no idea,” Joe said. “By the time I got
back inside the diner, nearly an hour later, he was
long gone.”
“I’ve got a few more things to deal with, then
I’ll text you and find out where you’re at,” Jed said.
“But I will be takin’ Neely Kate for tonight.”
“You think you’re gettin’ my sister tonight after
what just happened?” Joe demanded.
“I guaran-damn-tee you that I’ll take better
care of her than you did,” Jed snapped, then hung
up.
I started to put my phone back into my purse,
but it started vibrating in my hand with a call.
Violet. Crap, I’d completely forgotten about
going over to her house.
“Hey, Violet,” I said when I answered, putting
her on speaker. “How’re you doin?”
“How am I doin’? How are you? I heard that
Kate escaped.”
“I’m with Joe right now, so I’m as safe as I’ll
ever be.”
Joe’s hands tightened on the steering wheel.
“So does this Kate nonsense mean you aren’t
goin’ up to that fundraiser dinner?” Violet asked.
I sent a questioning glance to my brother.
He grimaced, then said, sounding defensive, “I
don’t know yet. We still might go.”
To lure Kate out if we hadn’t caught her yet. I
was definitely game. “We probably will,” I said.
“I’m not lettin’ Kate Simmons or anyone else keep
me from livin’ my life.”
“So you still need my help,” she said.
I glanced at the clock on the dashboard. It was
after two o’clock. “Yeah,” I said, “but with
everything else goin’ on, I’m not sure I have time to
come over and try things on.”
“That’s part of the reason I was callin’. Mikey’s
sick and I need to take him to the doctor, but
Maeve offered to swing over and pick up a bunch
of dresses and drop them off at the landscapin’
office. Say in an hour? I already pulled some
dresses that I think will work perfectly. You just
have to pick which one to wear.”
“Thank you, Vi,” I said. “This means a lot to
me.”
“Glad to help. If you go, try to have fun despite
that black cloud Kate is casting. And don’t worry
about embarassin’ Joe. You’re charming enough on
your own, Neely Kate.”
Joe shot me a surprised look, then asked,
“Should you be around Mikey if he’s sick, Vi?
Maybe Mike’s parents can pick him up and take
him.”
“I’ve missed out on months with my children,
Joe Simmons,” was her stern response. “I’m not
missin’ out on any more time with them.”
I knew what he was thinking. With her weak
immune system…
Apparently so did she.
“I’m fine,” she insisted. “I’m wearin’ a mask
and washin’ my hands so much they’re chafed.
Don’t worry so much.”
“Take care, Violet,” I said.
“Be safe,” Joe added.
“I’ll be fine. You two have fun tomorrow night.
I want to hear all about it next week.”
“Are we really still gonna go?” I asked after I
hung up.
“I think you were onto something about the
benefit dinner being part of Kate’s plan. I suspect
she was capable of breakin’ out all along. If we
haven’t found her by tomorrow afternoon, I think
we should plan on it.” He turned and gave me a
soulful glance. “You okay with that? As Rose
pointed out this morning, you’re effectively bait.”
“Yeah,” I said softly. “I’m good.”
This would either be stupid or brilliant.
Probably both.
 CHAPTER 19

W e spent the next few hours in the

landscaping office. I went back to
looking through the phone, while Witt took over
scrutinizing Chad Manchester’s computer. Joe
started looking up Alonzo Adkins. His previous
multiple arrest photos for drug possession and sales
and for possession of illegal firearms matched the
man who’d tried to snatch me.
“That’s what I need to call the Dallas and Irving
Police Departments without drawin’ suspicion on
you,” he said. “I’ll be out in my car.”
Witt sat at the client table with Muffy on his
lap. He lifted his gaze as Joe walked out the front
door. “Why can’t he make that call in here?”
 “I don’t know,” I said, watching him get into his
sedan, which was parked outside the office. “He’s
takin’ an unexpected day off. Maybe he needs to
talk about some other sheriff business.”
“Maybe…” He didn’t sound convinced.
A few seconds later, Maeve walked in front of
the office windows, carrying several garment bags
in her arms. I jumped up from my chair to open the
door for her.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” she said. “I got tied up at
the nursery and took a late lunch.”
“Maeve, you should have called. I would’ve
met you out at your car.”
“You really shouldn’t be traipsing around out
there,” Maeve said. “I heard about your near
kidnapping at the Blue Plate Diner.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Who told you?”
“You’re the talk of the town today.” She laid
the bags on Rose’s desk. “You and Kate Simmons.”
I suppose the explained all the calls and texts I
got earlier.
She glanced up and noticed Witt. “I’m sorry.
Am I interrupting?”
“No,” I said, “not at all. Maeve, this is my
cousin, Witt Rivers. Witt, this is Maeve Deveraux.”
 Witt had already stood after setting Muffy on
the floor. He walked toward us, extending his hand
to Maeve, but he hesitated when he heard her last
name. “Deveraux?”
“Yes,” she said softly. “My son is Mason
Deveraux. He used to be the assistant district
attorney.”
“And he’s back in town,” Witt said in a dry
tone.
I shot him a warning look.
“Yes,” Maeve said.
It occurred to me that I’d never asked Maeve
how she felt about Mason coming back and stirring
up trouble, especially after he’d threatened Rose.
She loved Rose, but now wasn’t the time. “Witt’s
hanging out to make sure I’m safe.”
Her mouth parted, but she quickly recovered.
“Joe hasn’t assigned any deputies to watch over
you?”
“Joe’s watching over me too.” I gestured out
the window to his car.
“Oh, I guess I missed him.”
I walked over to the garment bags and unzipped
the top one, amazed to find it stuffed full. “There
must be five dresses in this bag.” The top one was a
deep ruby-red formal dress, and there were two
more bags underneath. How many dresses did
Violet own?
“She sent a bunch of shoes too. They’re still in
my car.”
“Witt,” I said, “why don’t you go help Maeve
carry them in?”
He looked torn, but finally nodded and headed
out the door, with Maeve following behind him. I
stood behind the closed door and watched them,
starting to feel a little stir-crazy.
Joe was still on the phone, watching me through
the windshield of his car. He gave me a wave. Then
a frown tugged at his lips as he glanced down at his
lap and started talking in what appeared to be an
intense conversation.
Movement in the street caught my eye, and I
spotted Dena making a beeline across the street,
heading directly for me. Great. I really didn’t have
the time or patience for her nonsense right now.
She was momentarily distracted when she
caught sight of Joe in his running sedan talking on
his cell, but she seemed to think better of
interrupting him and headed straight for me.
I pushed the door open and met her on the
sidewalk. “Hey, Dena.”
“Oh my word, Neely Kate. I heard about what
happened today. Are you okay?” She sounded
genuinely concerned.
I offered Dena a smile. “Yeah. Thank goodness
for Joe and my cousin Witt. And Muffy. She’s the
true hero.”
I caught Joe’s terrified gaze on us, but he was
still trapped in his animated phone call.
Dena didn’t seem to notice. “You must be
scared spitless with Kate on the loose. Was she
behind the attempted kidnappin’?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea who was behind it.
But Joe’s making a call about the whole thing right
now.”
She glanced back at her boyfriend, then turned
to me with worry in her eyes. “Is there anything I
can do for you? Do you need a place to stay?”
I tried to hide my surprise. “Joe’s watching over
me today, and I’ll stay with my boyfriend tonight.”
I expected her to make a comment about my
imaginary boyfriend, but instead she asked, with
barely concealed eagerness, “So Joe’s free
tonight?”
Figured. I gave her a saccharine smile. “You’ll
have to talk to him about that.”
She gave me a stern look. “Surely y’all aren’t
goin’ to that benefit tomorrow night.”
“We haven’t decided yet.”
She cast a disgruntled look toward Joe. “What
is that man thinkin’, puttin’ you at unnecessary
risk? He needs to get his priorities straight. He
should stick around here and find that crazy sister
of his.”
Once again, she caught me by surprise with her
concern. I would have expected her to insist Joe
take her instead.
“I’m not a total bitch,” Dena said, then grinned
at my shock. “I know what you think, and I
concede that I’ve had some jealous moments I’m
not so proud of, but I’m not that awful of a person,
Neely Kate. You used to like me before Joe and I
started datin’.”
“You’re right,” I said, “but I saw Joe’s
dysfunctional relationship with Hilary up close and
personal, and parts of what I’m seeing are too close
for comfort. He’s come a long way since February,
and I’d hate for him to fall back into those
patterns.”
“I’m not a manipulative bitch who will try to
kidnap and kill his ex-girlfriend.” She gave me a
wry look. “Yeah, I know about Hilary.” She took a
breath. “I’m not anything like her. I promise. I just
know what a great guy he is, and I guess I was a
little overzealous at tryin’ to keep him. Joe
Simmons is like a dream come true.”
A little overzealous? I would have picked
another term to describe it, but she seemed sincere.
“For one thing, you can’t keep him. Joe has to be
with you of his own free will, and he seems to want
to be. Just relax and trust him, otherwise all of your
crazy shenanigans are only gonna drive him away.”
She looked embarrassed. “I can see some truth
in what you’re sayin’.”
“And I can see that I’ve made things a little
difficult.”
A soft smile lit up her face. “I think we might
be makin’ progress.”
“Yeah,” I said. “Maybe we are.”
Witt rounded the corner with Maeve, carrying a
tall stack of shoeboxes that he struggled to see
around. I hurried over and took the top three boxes.
“How many shoes does Violet think I need?”
“What are you doin’ out here, Neely Kate?” he
asked in an irritated tone.
 “Joe’s watchin’ me through his windshield.”
“He was watchin’ you while you were in the
damn restaurant,” he grumbled. “And look how
that turned out.”
I shot him a glare.
Dena opened the door to the office, and we
dumped the boxes on the floor next to my desk.
Muffy had crawled under Rose’s desk and was
curled up in her dog bed.
“I need to get back to the nursery,” Maeve said.
“I’d love to take Muffy with me if you need
someone to watch her.”
Something in my heart twisted. I felt an even
bigger connection to her since she’d proven she
would risk her own life to protect me. But that only
proved I couldn’t put her in that position again. I
needed to keep her safe.
I nodded, tears stinging my eyes. “Yeah. Take
her.”
Maeve pulled me into a hug. “I’ll take good
care of her. I promise.”
“I know you will.” I wasn’t sure there was
anyone I trusted more.
We helped Maeve collect Muffy, and Joe
walked in the front door just as she was going out.
 “Is everything okay in here?” he asked in a
worried tone. His gaze landed on me and Dena.
“Everything’s great,” Dena said.
“I was just dropping off Violet’s dresses and
shoes,” Maeve said, patting Joe’s arm. “And now
I’m taking Muffy so y’all don’t have to worry
about her.”
“Thanks, Maeve. Let me walk you to your car.”
He pushed the door open and headed back out,
strolling past the office windows with her, already
deep in conversation.
“Are y’all plannin’ on stayin’ here very long?”
Dena asked. “I can bring you dinner.”
Witt patted his stomach. “I could eat.”
I almost countered that he could always eat, but
he hadn’t eaten any lunch, and that was on account
of me. “That would be really nice of you, Dena.
Thank you.”
She gave me a warm look, and I started to
wonder if we’d just had a huge misunderstanding.
“Y’all don’t worry about a thing. I’ll be back in
about an hour.”
“Thanks, Dena.”
She went outside and spent a few moments
talking to Joe as he was coming back in. I tried not
to stare, but I couldn’t help noticing how relaxed
Joe seemed with her and how she beamed up at
him. My gut told me that Dena wasn’t good for Joe,
but his gut told him that Jed was wrong for me.
Were we both wrong? Were we both right?
He gave her a long kiss goodbye, then came
back inside. Without saying a word, he rolled
Rose’s chair over to my desk and sat down. “The
Dallas detective I spoke to was aware of Alonzo
Adkins. He’s a low-level flunky with the Hardshaw
Group.”
Neither Witt nor I said anything for several
seconds before Witt asked, “So you’re telling me
the fucking Hardshaw Group is after my cousin?”
Joe didn’t say anything.
My heart skipped a beat, and I suddenly ached
for Jed. I’d relied on him the last month, and even
though he was helping me another way, I selfishly
wished he was here. The independent me was
frightened by the needy part. I’d fought hard to
become this person and leave the woman I’d been
in Ardmore behind, but I also realized that Jed had
been in the thick of this, and I valued his opinion.
He needed to hear this too. “I’m calling Jed.”
Joe didn’t protest, so I placed the call.
 “You okay, NK?” Jed asked as soon as he
answered.
“I’ve been better.”
“I wish I was there with you. You have no idea
how hard it’s been not to drop everything and come
see you for myself, but I’ve set up a meeting with
Gerard Collard. My gut says he knows something.”
“I’m okay,” I said. “And you’re on speaker…
with Witt and Joe.”
His voice took on a defensive tone. “I don’t
give a shit if they heard either of those things.”
We’d hidden our relationship from practically
everyone, so I felt a sense of relief that he was so
willing to acknowledge his feelings for me in front
of Joe, but now was not the time to dwell on it.
“Joe talked to a Dallas detective, and he knows of
the guy who tried to kidnap me.”
Joe leaned forward. “He’s a low-level thug for
Hardshaw.”
“And he specifically wanted Neely Kate?” Jed
asked.
“He was told to snatch her and find out where
the money is,” Witt said. “He claims they didn’t
care how he got the information.”
Anger washed over Joe’s face. “Neither one of
you put that in your statements.”
“Let’s get something straight right now,” Witt
snapped. “Neely Kate comes first. Before you and
your chief deputy position, before Jed and his
bullshit with Skeeter Malcolm, and definitely
before me. I’ll lie through my goddamned teeth if
that’s what it takes to protect her.” Witt turned to
me. “I don’t know what you did in Ardmore, NK,
but I wish to God you’d come clean so I can really
help you.”
“I’ll tell you everything when we get off this
call, but what you need to know right now is that I
killed a man in Ardmore, who turned out to come
from a family with oil money. Pearce Manchester.
He’d paid my supposed boyfriend money for a
night that included beating, torturing, and raping
me. Only, after the first hour, I killed him. Then I
buried his body and his bag, which I didn’t realize
at the time contained a lot of money. When
morning hit, I caught the first bus home.”
Witt gave me a long hard stare. “You’re leavin’
some important details out, like why you didn’t call
the police.”
“And I’ll tell you later, but right now we need
to figure out how important I am to Hardshaw.”
 “Yeah,” Joe said, sitting up. “She’s right.”
“So let’s look at what we know,” I said. “Chad
Manchester suspected his brother had some ties to
Ardmore. Neil Franken somehow knew about
Ardmore. Neil Franken had ties to Hardshaw,
which was why he was meeting Adkins. Franken
knew enough about me to come to Fenton County
and follow me around and take photos. He planned
to meet Alonzo Adkins at noon and what? Give him
the information he found? That seems likely to me.
But Adkins had to know something since he
recognized me.”
“Maybe they were coordinatin’ your
kidnapping,” Joe said. “Franken was trying to
determine the best time to do it.”
“I was alone last night,” I said. “He could have
done it then.”
“Unless Franken wasn’t part of Hardshaw,” Jed
said. “What if he was freelancin’? What if he
caught wind of Chad’s investigation, piggybacked
or stole what Chad knew, then came here to get
more info to sell to Hardshaw? Joe, did they find
any cash in his car?”
“Five grand and change.”
“There you go,” Witt said. “But what’s the
money to Hardshaw? Manchester’s dead. I don’t
understand why they’re so determined to get it
back.”
“And why would they pay five thousand dollars
to get ten grand back?” I asked.
“Maybe there’s something in the money,” Joe
said.
Jed ground out a few curse words.
“Where’s the money now?” Joe asked, turning
his gaze on me. “Is it in the safe-deposit box with
the tape?”
“What tape?” Witt asked.
I swallowed. “The tape that shows me killin’
Pearce Manchester.”
“And what he did to her before she killed him,”
Joe added.
“You’ve seen it?” Witt asked.
“No,” Joe answered. “She only told me about it
and that it’s locked up in a safe-deposit box at
Henryetta Bank.”
“The money’s not in the safe-deposit box,” I
said.
“Then where is it?” Joe asked.
I waited for Jed to answer. He’d taken it with
him when we’d come back from Ardmore, and we
hadn’t discussed it since. But Jed wasn’t talking, so
I took his lead. “Somewhere safe.”
“You didn’t spend it, did you?” Joe asked.
Witt snorted. “You think she’d be driving that
piece of shit car if she had any money to spend?”
Joe looked chagrined. “I had to ask. But I still
need to know where the money is.”
“I have it,” Jed said. “I went through the bag,
but all I found was the ten thousand dollars, a video
camera, and a couple of blank tapes.” He paused.
“Nothing that would provoke Hardshaw to track it
down.”
“Did he have anything on his person they might
want?” Joe asked.
“No,” Jed said. “I checked.”
Witt’s eyes grew as large as silver dollars. I
knew what he was thinking—if I killed Pearce
Manchester over five years ago, how would Jed
have been able to search his clothes?
“Someone pointed Chad Manchester to
Ardmore,” Joe said. “Someone pointed Neil
Franken to Branson to tell him about Neely Kate.
Someone told Alonzo Adkins that a woman in
Fenton County had Pearce Manchester’s money.
Who orchestrated all of this?”
 “Kate,” Jed said.
I shook my head. “When I saw her yesterday,
she said she hadn’t told anyone.”
“You can’t believe a word she says,” Joe said in
disgust.
Maybe I was stupid, but I believed most of
what she’d told me. I hadn’t caught her lying yet.
“We know she hired someone to look into what I
did in Ardmore, but she only found the basics,” I
said. “What if she had them do more diggin’?”
“That seems likely,” Jed said. “She knew
enough to get you flustered, but we figured out she
didn’t know much else. She liked playin’ the game,
so she had someone try to find more.”
“She must have found something,” Joe said.
“She knew enough to put Franken’s body in your
basement with a note.”
“And she knew about the hotel room he or
Chad Manchester were stayin’ in,” Jed added. “She
knows more now than she did before.”
“She called Franken a peace offering,” I said.
“And in the hotel room note, she said she was
lookin’ forward to a family reunion. Maybe she’s
tryin’ to help me.”
“I sure as hell wouldn’t count on that,” Joe said
in disgust. “I still think she’s jealous, which means
she’s got some master plan to try to destroy you.”
His eyes widened. “Tomorrow night.”
“You think she’s gonna show up at the benefit
dinner and embarrass me?” But even as I asked,
realizing I already knew the answer. More like kill
me.
“There’s no way in hell we’re goin’ to that
thing,” Joe said.
“Agreed,” Jed said.
“What benefit dinner?” Witt asked.
It was time to tell him everything.
“I’ve got to go,” Jed said, “but if you need me
for anything, you call me, you hear? I’ll drop
everything and come runnin’.”
“Thanks, Jed.”
He hesitated. Then he choked out a goodbye
and hung up.
I sat back in my chair. “Joe, I have to tell Witt
about Ardmore.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t know.”
“I hadn’t told anyone until I told Jed a month
ago.”
He gave me a thoughtful look, then turned to
my cousin. “I think it’s better if I step outside.”
 “Can it get worse than what you already told
me?” Witt asked.
Neither Joe nor I said anything, and Witt sat
back, rubbing his chin. “You got anything to drink
in this place?” A wry grin lit up his eyes. “Kiddin’.”
Only I suspected he wasn’t.
“I’ll head down to the coffee shop and pick up
some coffee,” Joe said. “It’s close enough to come
runnin’ if someone shows up.”
I nodded.
He took Witt’s drink order—coffee, black—
then walked out the front door.
“Tell me, little cousin,” Witt said in an
unusually somber tone.
I told him everything, from when I left
Henryetta to go to Ardmore, getting stuck there,
getting a job as a stripper, then going from being
Branson’s girlfriend to his prostitute. I told him
about the abortion and then about Branson’s client
from Dallas, then about killing him, burying the
body, and hightailing it home.
When I finished, he couldn’t look me in the
eye. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he blinked back
tears, and I expected him to get up and take a
moment to recover, but he turned to me with an
intense gaze. “I will never leave you alone like that
again.”
I shook my head. “You never left me Witt.”
“I did. When I went to prison. If I’d been
around, I would have gone to check on you. I
would have brought you home.”
I gave him a sad smile. “You don’t know that. If
you’d have called, I would have pretended like
things were okay, and toward the end, Branson
never would have let me talk to you without him
eavesdroppin’.” I took a breath. “You couldn’t
have changed it, Witt. Thinkin’ that you could have
will only eat at you. You need to let it go.”
“How the hell do I let it go? I failed you, Neely
Kate. When your worthless momma dropped you
off, Granny told me it was my job to look after
you.”
I never knew that, but I’d suspected. “And you
did,” I insisted. “You were like a big brother to me,
but once I became a grown woman, your job was
done.”
“You think eighteen is a grown woman?” he
asked bitterly. “You were still a baby.”
“And you were a baby when you got arrested
and tossed into prison.” I sighed. “We made stupid
mistakes when we were kids. There’s no changin’
them. We can’t go back. All we can do is move
forward.” I narrowed my eyes and turned stern.
“But you need to leave that life behind, Wittman
Rivers. I know you’re disappointed about the
garage, but promise me that you’ll stay away from
a criminal life. Jed’s leavin’ it behind. So can you.”
His nose wrinkled with confusion. “I’m not
goin’ back to anything illegal, Neely Kate. Why do
you think I am?”
“It’s just that Rose and I have exposed you
to…” I shook my head. “Never mind. Just trust that
something great is right around the corner. I know
it.”
He studied me, then smiled. “You’re an
amazing person, Neely Kate. Jed’s lucky to have
you.”
I laughed. “You’re lucky to have me too.”
“I know that’s right.”
We settled back into searching the phone and
the laptop. Joe came back soon after, handing us
our coffee cups and searching our faces to make
sure we were both okay.
An hour later, Dena showed up with dinner for
all four of us that she’d gotten from a new home-
cooking-style restaurant in the newer part of town.
She stayed while we ate, and I could see she was
dying to ask what we were all working on, but she
had the good manners not to ask.
As soon as we were finished eating, Witt, Joe,
and I all returned to our work. Dena took the hint
and made some excuse about having some place to
be and after planting a quick kiss on Joe, she
quietly left.
I hadn’t heard from Jed after our earlier phone
call, and I was worried about him meeting Gerard.
What if Gerard took out his frustration on Skeeter
out on Jed? Just when I was about to text him, he
called and told me to put him on speakerphone.
“I met with Collard,” he said once he knew all
three of us were listening. “I didn’t learn shit, but
he’s definitely up to something.”
“What makes you say that?” Joe asked.
“Just a gut feeling,” he said. “Still, I don’t think
he knows anything about Hardshaw making a push
into Fenton County.”
“So they’re not?” Joe asked.
“I don’t want to rule it out. I have one more
person to check with, but I can’t do it until
tomorrow. Have y’all made any more progress?”
 “Not much,” Witt said. “Not on the important
questions.”
Joe’s phone buzzed. He glanced down with a
grimace. “It’s the sheriff’s department. This might
be about Adkins.”
He rolled his chair over to Rose’s desk and
spoke in a low tone, but I could tell the
conversation wasn’t going well. Jed, Witt, and I
remained silent while we waited to hear the news.
Joe hung up and cursed. “We just ran out of
time. Someone discovered Chad Manchester’s
body.”
 CHAPTER 20

T he blood left my head, and I tried to

catch my breath.
“Carlisle, I really hate to ask this,” Joe said.
“Do you know if Neely Kate can be IDed behind
the hotel?”
“If anyone looks at the video, they won’t see
any sign of her,” he said.
Joe rubbed his chin for several seconds.
“Okay.”
“Who found him?” Jed asked.
“Chad Manchester booked the room and his car
was registered. He was supposed to check out this
morning, but the housekeeping staff found his
things, and not long after, a hotel guest complained
that there was a nasty smell comin’ from the trunk
of the car, so they called the Henryetta police.”
“For once, their bungling could be in our
favor,” Witt said.
“If Henryetta’s finest is covering, then why’d
you get the call?” Jed asked.
“I told my staff if anything unusual happened to
let me know. Despite the rising murder rate in the
county, finding a body in a trunk’s not all that
common. So they called me even though it’s
Henryetta’s jurisdiction. However, the sheriff is
actually stepping in on this one and throwin’ his
weight around sayin’ he wants to take over the
case.”
“Why?” I asked. “Sheriff Foster’s as lazy as a
hound dog on a Sunday afternoon.”
“The reelection’s comin’ up and Chad
Manchester’s from out of town and from deep
pockets, to boot,” Joe said. “It’s bad publicity for
the county—and for the sheriff—but good publicity
if it wraps up quickly.”
“So he’ll put extra effort into solvin’ it,” Witt
said.
“Even if he doesn’t, it’s gonna make the news,”
Jed said. “He’s Arthur Manchester’s only surviving
son. That man’s gonna put a lot of resources into
findin’ out who killed him.”
I started to hyperventilate, and Joe covered my
hand with his. “I’m gonna take care of it, Neely
Kate.”
“Everyone keeps tellin’ me that,” I said.
“Maybe it’s time I owned up to what I did.”
No one said anything for a moment. Then Joe
said, “You didn’t kill Chad Manchester. It’s likely
that Neil Franken did.” He held my gaze. “I think I
need to officially find his body.”
I swallowed, my stomach roiling. “Okay.”
“Now hold up,” Jed said in an urgent tone.
“The body’s in your basement, Neely Kate. With a
note written by Kate and addressed to you pinned
to his body.”
“I’m not sure what else to do,” Joe said. “This
just keeps getting deeper and deeper.”
Which was likely Kate’s plan—to make Joe
choose between doing what was right and
protecting me. I couldn’t put him in that position.
“That body was a test to see how we would react. I
suspect we played right into Kate’s hands. We need
to report it.”
“Let’s let it sit for tonight,” Jed said. “We’ll
make a decision tomorrow.”
“I like that plan,” Witt said. “No offense,
Simmons, but I don’t trust the sheriff’s department
worth shit.”
Joe gave him a grim look, then sat back in his
seat. “Okay. We’ll wait until tomorrow, but I want
to go see what’s goin’ on with this investigation into
Chad Manchester’s death, so Carlisle, if you want
to take Neely Kate for the night, come pick her up
at the landscaping office.”
“I can be there in about twenty minutes.”

I WAS STILL LOOKIN ’ through the files from

Franken’s phone, although I’d stared at the same
photo for five minutes, my mind wandering to Kate
and what she could be up to. While part of me
wanted to buy her sister act, I knew deep down that
she was punishing me for usurping her place in
Joe’s heart.
Did she plan to hurt him too?
Joe was wrappin’ up one of his several calls
when he glanced at me with a frown. “Why don’t
you take a break, Neely Kate? We can pick this up
tomorrow.”
“I keep lookin’ at these photos, feelin’ like I’m
missin’ something.”
“Maybe you are. All the more reason to take a
break from it and hit it tomorrow with fresh eyes.”
I nodded, though I hated to admit he was right.
I wanted to find all the answers and put this behind
me, yet I doubted that was going to happen. This
would never be behind me.
Maybe I should confess it all before I dragged
everyone else down with me.
The bell on the office door announced Jed’s
arrival. When he walked through the door, his eyes
locked on Joe’s.
My brother got to his feet and stepped around
the edge of Rose’s desk to intercept him. “Just
because I’m lettin’ her go with you doesn’t mean I
approve of this… relationship, but if anyone’s
capable of keepin’ her safe tonight, it’s likely to be
Skeeter Malcolm’s right-hand man.”
“Hey,” Witt called out. “I could protect her.”
“You’re not supposed to be carryin’ a gun, now
are you?” Joe asked with a glare.
Witt shot darts with his eyes.
“I’ve got it covered,” Jed said. “No one will get
to her.”
“I’m not a toddler, you know,” I said getting
irritated. “I’m somewhat capable of taking care of
myself.”
“We know that,” Joe said. “But we don’t want
to take a chance, so humor me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine.”
I had to admit that I felt better knowing they
were watching over me. It felt like a step backward
from the strong independent woman I’d become,
yet I saw no other way around it other than to
confess it all, and selfish person that I was, I still
wasn’t ready to go there yet.
Jed turned to face me. “You ready to go?”
I glanced down at Joe’s laptop.
“Don’t worry about that,” Joe said. “I’ll take it
with me.”
“And Chad Manchester’s computer?” Jed
asked.
“I’ll take it too,” Joe said. “I doubt I’ll be
getting much sleep tonight. I might try callin’ Kate
from the number she called Neely Kate from.”
“You think she’ll answer?” Witt asked.
“Honestly?” Joe asked. “I doubt it. She’s more
obsessed with Neely Kate than worried about
dealing with me.”
“I want to know what you find out about
Manchester’s murder—and if you hear from Kate,”
Jed said. “So keep me in the loop.”
Joe gave a curt nod.
Jed reached for me, and when I looked up at
him, the concern in his eyes stole my breath. But I
quickly recovered and grabbed my purse out of my
drawer.
“Is your bag in Joe’s car?”
“I’ll get it,” Joe said, then headed out the door.
Witt stood and closed the laptop lid, then
stripped the gloves off his hands and stuffed them
in his pocket. “Well, it looks like my work here is
done for the night.” He gave Jed a hard stare. “I’d
tell you to take care of my little cousin, but that
seems redundant, so all I’m gonna say is see you
later.”
I shot Witt a parting glance, and he lifted a hand
to give a short wave and walked out the door.
Joe grabbed the side of the door as it was
closing, pried it back open, and then rolled my bag
through the entrance, holding on to the handle.
“Take care of her,” he said in a thick voice.
I walked over to him and wrapped my arms
around his back, hugging him tight. “I trust you,
Joe. I’ll go along with whatever you decide.”
He squeezed me for several seconds, then let go
and headed to the back of the office and into the
restroom.
I glanced over my shoulder as he shut the
bathroom door, swamped with guilt. If I were a
better person, I’d go turn myself in right now, but I
was sure I’d drag him into this too. And Jed… my
heart ached at the trouble I could get him into. I
hadn’t the foggiest idea what to do to protect them
both.
Jed wrapped am arm around my lower back.
“Are you hungry? Can you wait a bit?”
I grimaced. “I ate something earlier, so I can
wait.”
He gave me a smile that lit up his eyes. “Good.
Then the surprise first.”
We walked out of the office, and I quickly
locked the front door in case someone tried to go in
while Joe was indisposed. I’d given Joe a key, so
he’d be able to lock up again.
Jed stood behind me as though he were a
human shield. Then he ushered me to his car, where
he opened the passenger door and practically shut it
behind me as I climbed in.
It wasn’t until he’d driven a few blocks that I
noticed the dark sedan behind us. “Jed,” I said in
alarm. “We’re bein’ followed.”
He stared straight ahead. “I hired ’em to.”
“You hired someone to follow us? Skeeter’s
men?”
“No, although I suspect they would have done
it. They’re loyal to me too, but things are still pretty
strained between Skeeter and me, so I thought it
best to hire my own.”
“You hired security guards?”
“I’ve been planning tonight for two weeks, and
nothing or no one’s gonna take that from me—from
us.” He shot me a dark gaze, and the lust in his eyes
caught me by surprise.
“I almost want to ask what you have planned,”
I teased. “But I kind of like not knowin’.”
“Good, because I’m not tellin’.”
“You told me to dress up, but not only am I
wearing shorts, I’m covered in gravel dust, to boot.
I need a shower.”
“You can take one at my place, but you could
wear a paper bag as far as I’m concerned. I only
wanted you to dress up to make it more special for
you.”
“Are we still goin’ to dinner?” I asked.
“Yeah, but you’ll still be able to change and get
ready.”
“Are we goin’ up to Magnolia?” I asked,
dubious. I doubted that far enough away to evade
Kate.
“No, I’ll tell you where we’re eatin’ in a little
bit. For now, you just focus on the surprise.”
I sat up straighter in my seat. “Is the surprise at
your apartment?”
He chuckled. “You’re just gonna have to wait
and find out.” He turned on the radio after that,
more likely to keep me quiet. Jed tended to prefer
the silence while I preferred to fill it.
I hummed softly to a country song, staring at
the man next to me.
I loved him. I was as sure of that fact as I was
sure that Miss Mildred would butt into everyone’s
business. He’d put himself in a precarious position
for me and I wouldn’t let him pay for it. “I won’t
let them arrest you.”
He turned to me with narrowed eyes. “What
are you talkin’ about?”
“The body in the basement. Digging up Pearce
Manchester. Everything…” My heart raced just
thinkin’ about it. “I’ll protect you, Jed. I won’t let
you pay for what I’ve done.”
He reached over and curled his hand around
mine. “Neely Kate, stop.”
“But Jed—”
His hand tightened. “Do you remember what I
told you in Ardmore? I fix things and I’m damn
good at it. Trust me, Neely Kate. Neither one of us
is goin’ to jail.”
I nodded, even if I didn’t quite believe it, but
for now I’d let it go. I didn’t want to ruin the night
he had planned.
Ten minutes later, he pulled up in front of a
building with three garage doors on County Road
75, just outside of city limits. The sign out front was
covered with a tarp.
“Wait for me,” Jed said as he got out.
The dark sedan pulled in behind us as Jed
walked over to the driver’s side and said something
to the driver. The two men in the front seat gave
curt nods before Jed came back to our car and
opened my door.
How much did hiring two men cost? More guilt
heaped onto my overflowing pile.
 Shake it off, Neely Kate. You can roll around in
the guilt tomorrow. Tonight, I was going to revel in
every bit of what Jed had planned.
“What are we doin’ here?” I asked.
He grinned as he took my hand and tugged me
out of the car. “I want to show you something.”
“Are we supposed to be here? Can we get
arrested for trespassin’?”
He stopped and examined me with worried
eyes. “You must really be spooked to ask me that.
The Neely Kate I know would go inside as big as
she pleased.”
“That Neely Kate doesn’t have a sadistic sister
stalkin’ her, a dead body in her basement, and a
Dallas crime ring tryin’ to kidnap her.”
He reached for my cheek and cupped it lightly,
searching my eyes. “I should have never left you. If
he’d gotten you…” His face paled. “I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothin’ to be sorry for,” I insisted,
trying my best to shake it off. “And I’m fine.
Nothing to worry about.”
“He almost got you.”
“Granny says almost only counts in horseshoes
and rocket launchers.”
A slow grin lit up his eyes. “I think it’s hand
grenades.”
I shook my head. “Nope. That’s not what she
says.”
His grin spread, and he leaned down to give me
a gentle kiss. “If anything happened to you, I…”
He didn’t finish his thought, but the expression on
his face made it clear how devastated he would be.
“Time for your surprise.”
With our hands linked, he walked up to the
door of the building and opened it.
I was surprised to find it unlocked. “Do you
know who owns this place?”
“It just so happens I do. After you.” He led me
inside and shut the door behind us.
The lights were on in a small waiting room.
There was a counter directly across from the door
as well as a cash register, but it was the sign on the
wall that left me speechless.
Carlisle Rivers Auto Shop
I turned to him, my mouth hanging open.
“What…?”
The door behind the counter opened, and Witt
walked out with an ear-to-ear smile. “Surprise.”
I shook my head. “What’s goin’ on?”
“Can’t you read?” Witt teased. “Jed and I are
co-owners of this place.”
“This is your business?” I asked Jed, slightly
irritated. “Why on earth would you keep it a
secret? I thought you were opening another strip
club.”
“Why would you think I was openin’ a strip
club?” he asked in disbelief.
“Because…” I shook my head. Then smacked
his chest. “Never mind.” Tears sprang to my eyes.
“I thought you’d be happy.”
I swiped a tear from my cheek. “I am happy.”
Witt leaned over the counter and clapped a
hand on Jed’s shoulder. “I know, dude. Who can
figure out women?”
I pointed my finger in my cousin’s face. “Watch
it!”
He laughed. “We haven’t even gotten to the
good part. Better get some tissues.” Then Witt went
back where he came from, leaving the door open
behind him.
“This is really your business?” I asked as I took
several steps deeper into the room, spinning around
to take it in. Everything looked new and fresh, from
the crisply painted beige walls to the metal chairs
with red leather padded seats.
 “Yeah, I wanted to do something respectable.”
He paused. “For you.”
Heat filled my chest and I turned back to stare
at him. “Oh, Jed… I don’t want you changin’ your
life for me.”
“Don’t you get it, Neely Kate? You make me
want more. You make me not want to settle. You
make me think I can have the life I always
dreamed.”
A lump filled my throat, so my voice sounded
strained. “What did you always dream of havin’,
Jed Carlisle?”
“A family. A wife. A home.”
My tears flowed down my cheeks. “You’re
thirty-three years old. You could have had those
things before now.”
He shook his head and came toward me,
stopping when we were less than a foot apart. “I
could have, but I would have been settlin’. I
realized I’d been waitin’ for you.”
He kissed me again, this time more boldly. I
wrapped my hands around his neck as he pulled me
flush against his body, and I wondered how I could
be so happy when my life was going to pot around
me. But then I thought about what he’d said he
wanted. A wife. A home. A family.
I pulled out of his reach. “You know I can’t
have babies, Jed. I can’t give you all the things you
want.”
“What are you talkin’ about?” he asked, staring
at me with so much love in his eyes it took my
breath away. “You’re my family, Neely Kate.
You’re my home. We can adopt if we want kids. Or
we’ll get a surrogate. Or maybe we won’t have any
at all. But I know how much you love babies, and I
aim to give you one someday, if that’s what you
want. I promise.”
I burst into tears.
“Why are you cryin’?” Jed asked in a worried
tone.
“You’ve made me so happy.”
“Hey!” Witt called out from the partially open
door to the back. “Come see the rest of the place so
I can go meet Barb Nelson.”
“I thought you made that part up,” I said,
wiping my tears with the back of my hand.
“I was improvisin’, and you better not tell
Granny, or I’ll tell her you threw out that racoon
jerky she gave you last Christmas.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. Let’s see the rest
of it.”
I didn’t know the first thing about mechanic
garages, but they both seemed eager to show me, so
I eagerly followed.
Jed took my hand, lacing our fingers together,
then led me around the counter and through the
door into a three-bay garage. A car I didn’t
recognize was parked inside.
“Do you have a customer already?”
“Yeah,” Jed said as he led me to a newer dark
gray four-door sedan. “What do you think?”
“About having a customer?” I asked. “That’s
amazing. You haven’t even opened yet.”
“You’re the customer,” Jed said. “It’s yours.”
I glanced up at him. “What are you talkin’
about?”
“I bought this car, and Witt and I got it
running.”
I propped a hand on my hip. “Why wasn’t it
runnin’ before?”
“Someone lifted the engine block and wheels,”
Witt said with a grin. “We replaced ’em.”
Jed beamed. “We rebuilt it. I was pretty rusty
on car repair, and the newer cars are a lot different
than the ones I used to work on as a kid, but it’s
comin’ back.”
“You two are really running this together?” I
asked in awe.
“I hope you can deal with me having dirty
fingernails every night,” Jed teased.
A wave of bitter disappointment washed
through me, stealing my joy. Ronnie had come
home every night with grease under his fingernails,
and look how that turned out. But just as quickly, I
pushed that thought right out of my head. Ronnie
and I had been playing house. We hadn’t truly been
in love. I knew I’d never loved him like I should
have, and he couldn’t have loved me much to bail
after finding out about my past.
“Hey.” Jed rested a hand on my upper arm. “If
it bothers you so much, I can find something else.”
I shuddered in horror. “That’s ridiculous, Jed.
Don’t say that. I love that you’ve figured out
something that makes you happy. I would never let
you change that on my account.”
“But something’s wrong.”
“Ronnie,” Witt said. “He was a mechanic. I
didn’t even think about it.”
Jed’s eyes slowly widened. “Neely Kate… I
never even considered…”
 I reached up on my tiptoes and gave him a
tender kiss. “Stop. I love your garage, and I
couldn’t be more thrilled that you and Witt are
doin’ this together. Ronnie doesn’t deserve one
more thought in my head. When do you officially
open?”
Witt shrugged. “We planned on Monday, but
that doesn’t seem like a great idea with Kate on the
loose.”
I gave him the side-eye. “Y’all better open,
because if you don’t, then we’re letting her win.
We’re not lettin’ that woman steal our joy.”
At least not yet. But in the back of my mind, I
was working on a plan to protect the people I loved
and keep them from getting dragged down with me.
They didn’t say anything for a few seconds.
Then Jed asked, “Aren’t you gonna sit in your new
car?”
“I can’t accept that car.”
“Why the hell not?” Witt spat out.
“I’m not takin’ charity. And takin’ this car
without payin’ for it is exactly that. Charity.”
“Oh, for the love of God!” Witt groaned. “How
is it that you and I were the only two Rivers kids to
get an abundance of pride?”
 I gave him a wry grin. He had a point. Our other
cousins were pretty much worthless.
“It’s not charity,” Jed said in frustration. “If
anything, it’s selfishness on my part because it’s for
my own damn peace of mind. I won’t have to
worry about you so much, wonderin’ if you’re
broke down on the side of the highway. And
besides, it was a practice car. I did most of the work
while Witt supervised.”
I put my hand on my hip and leveled my gaze.
“So you’re sayin’ you’re really doin’ this for you.”
His brow rose in challenge. “Pretty much.”
“It just doesn’t seem right.” I broke our gaze
and eyed the car with a bit of longing. I’d never had
such a beautiful car and couldn’t help wanting to
keep it, despite my protests. “It’s too big of a gift,
Jed.”
“Then maybe we can work out a loan or some
way for you to pay me off.” He quickly added,
“Like you can work at the counter on Saturdays.
We can figure out something.”
“Just take the damn car, Neely Kate,” Witt
grumbled. “You’re ruining the gift.”
Witt was right. He and Jed had been so proud of
doing this for me, and I was being stubborn. “Can I
look inside?”
Jed grinned and opened the driver’s door. I sat
in the leather driver’s seat and ran my hand along
the top of the leather steering wheel. “So this is
where you’ve been disappearing to for the past
couple of weeks.”
“It was one of the reasons.”
Was the other reason buying the business? It
was obvious they’d spent time freshening up the
waiting room.
He leaned a forearm on the top of the door,
watching me with a worried expression.
I gave him a warm smile. “I love it. Thank you.
This is the best gift anyone has ever given me.”
He squatted next to me and said softly, “Then
I’m happy I’m the one to give it to you.”
“And that’s my cue to leave,” Witt said as he
walked toward a back door. “See you tomorrow.”
I watched him through the windshield of the car
—my car—still in disbelief. When he walked out
the door, I said, “I love this car, Jed, I really do, but
it still seems wrong.”
He took my hand and gently held it. “Don’t you
get it, Neely Kate? I need you like I’ve never
needed another person in my life. I’m scared to
death of losin’ you. Kate on the loose, and
Hardshaw…” His voice trailed off and his face
hardened. “This is one thing I can do to keep you
safe—giving you a car that won’t leave you
stranded in the middle of nowhere. It’s one little
thing that gives me peace of mind. Please take it.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’m ruinin’
everything.”
I wasn’t talking about just the car, and Jed
knew it. That was one of the things I loved about
him. He could read through my crazy, mixed-up
lines, and see the real me, ugly parts and all, and
yet he was still here, holding my hand like I was a
piece of china while staring up at me with greater
adoration than anyone before him.
“Neely Kate, you’re not ruinin’ a thing. Neither
one of us is perfect. We both have complicated
pasts. It’s not gonna be easy because of that fact
alone, but you’re worth it all. I’m not leavin’.” He
squeezed my hand for emphasis. “I can handle hard
stuff and so can you. We can do this. Together.”
I started to cry again, so he pulled me out of the
car and held me close, rubbing circles on my back,
and I let myself sink into him.
“It’s gonna be okay. I promise,” he whispered
into my ear.
He couldn’t promise any such thing, but tonight
I’d pretend that he could.
 CHAPTER 21

A fter I’d cried for nearly a minute, I tipped

my head back to look at him and laughed.
“I must look a mess.”
His eyes filled with love. “You’re beautiful,
Neely Kate. You may think you’re a mess, but I see
a woman who trusts me enough to show me the
parts of herself she hides from everyone else.”
I broke eye contact and pulled away, walking
around the car. He was right. I’d trusted him before
I realized that I was. And that’s what had dragged
him into this mess. “Did you use the money from
the bag for this?”
“No. That money is safely tucked away,
although I plan to go through it first thing tomorrow
morning to see if I can find anything Hardshaw
might be looking for.”
I nodded as I rounded the front of the car.
“I’m sorry you can’t drive it right now, but with
Kate…”
“Yeah, I know. It’s not safe.”
He took a step closer. “The color might be
disappointing—you’re definitely a cherry red kind
of woman—but that would stand out more while
you and Rose are on your investigations. This way
you’ll blend in more.”
“You took that into consideration while lookin’
for my car?”
“You’re a detective. You’re supposed to blend
in, although that’s damn near impossible for you.
You were born to shine.”
I gave him a coy grin. “You know just the right
things to say to make a woman’s head swell, Jed
Carlisle.”
He stared at me with a serious expression. “I
only speak the truth, Neely Kate Rivers. I’ll never
feed you a line.”
That was the astonishing thing about Jed. I
knew he wouldn’t. “Got any more surprises in this
place?”
 “Nope. It’s time to move on to the next one.”
“There’s another surprise?” I asked in shock.
He chuckled. “Yep.” He walked over to the car,
pulled the key fob out, then handed it to me. “This
is yours. Don’t be forgettin’ it.”
I stared at the fob in my hand, still in disbelief
that he’d given me a car—and in even greater
disbelief that I’d accepted it.
When we got into his sedan, he headed west on
the county road, away from Henryetta.
“Where are we goin’?” I asked in confusion.
“Your next surprise.”
This one had me truly stumped. Lately, Jed had
been living in an apartment south of town, in Pickle
Junction. We were driving away from where he
lived. “I still need a shower, Jed. I’m not
presentable for goin’ out to dinner.”
“You’ll get one.” He turned on the music again.
Even though I knew what he was up to, I let it
slide.
Five minutes later, he turned off the county
road onto a small two-lane, poorly paved road, and
the car with Jed’s security followed. After we’d
driven a couple of miles with nothing but trees on
either side and only an occasional house or trailer,
he turned left onto a gravel road tucked between
the trees.
“If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you were
takin’ me out to the middle of nowhere to do away
with me.”
He grinned, but it was sexy and his words were
full of heat. “Sunshine, I have other plans for you
tonight.”
I couldn’t stop the involuntary breath I sucked
in and flushed. Did that mean what I thought? But I
didn’t have time to ponder it long because the
gravel lane broke free of the trees, opening to a
large yard with a two-story house that looked like it
was built a century ago, but was still in good shape.
It sported crisp white and black paint and a covered
porch that ran the length of the front of the house.
“Why are we here?” I asked.
He grinned. “Come see.”
Then he opened the door to get out, so I
followed him, taking note that the car with the
security detail had stopped where the gravel lane
cut through the trees and that another car was
parked behind it.
“Don’t you worry about them,” Jed said,
snagging my hand in his and leading me up to the
porch.
There was a porch swing on one end, and he
gave me a second to take it in before removing a
key from his pocket.
“What’s goin’ on, Jed?” I asked with my heart
in my throat.
He stopped and pulled me into his arms, then
gave me a sweet and tender kiss. “This place is
mine. I closed on it yesterday morning.”
I blinked, sure I’d heard him wrong. “What?”
“Come inside.” He opened the screen door,
then unlocked the solid wood front door and
pushed it open, revealing an entryway with a
staircase. “It still needs some furnishings. I didn’t
have much in my little place, so I’d appreciate it if
you’d help steer me in the right direction.”
My shoes clicked on the hardwood floors, and I
could see Jed’s leather sofa, chair, and end tables in
the living room to my left. The entryway was a
short hall that went past the staircase, which looked
like it led to the kitchen. He took my hand again
and pulled me into the living room. The windows
were covered in cheap vinyl blinds, and the room
was longer than I expected, but then I realized part
of it was likely supposed to be the dining room.
 “I don’t have any curtains,” Jed said.
“You didn’t have curtains in your other place,”
I said as I took it all in.
“Yeah, but that place was where I lived. This is
a home. I feel like it needs curtains, don’t you?”
I turned to face him, nodding.
“Come see the kitchen.”
We went through the empty dining room and
passed through the open door into the kitchen. It
was older but in good shape—much better shape
than the kitchen in Rose’s farmhouse.
“We can remodel it,” he said. “I know how
much you like to cook, so we can set it up however
you like it.”
I stared at him wide-eyed.
“I plan on you spendin’ lots of time here, Neely
Kate. I want you to be happy. So we’ll set it up how
you like it. Now come see the rest.” He ignored a
back door and headed through an open doorway
into the entry hall. We walked past a powder room
to a door that opened to a room lined with built-in
bookshelves.
Jed moved to the center of the empty room.
“Witt’s better with the mechanics and I’m better
with numbers, so I figure I can set up an office here
to do the accountin’.”
“I can help,” I said. “I was almost an
accountant. It can help pay off the car.”
“You know I don’t expect or want you to pay
off that car.”
“I know, but I still want to help. I do the books
for Rose, you know,” I reminded him.
He grinned and moved closer to me, pulling me
into his arms and smoothing the hair from my cheek
as he stared lovingly into my face. “I have so many
hopes and dreams for us, it scares me, Neely Kate.”
I wasn’t sure how to answer that, so I kept
silent.
“That’s why I bought this place. It’s secluded,
and no one knows I own it. I bought it through a
dummy corporation. It’s the only way I know to
truly protect you when we’re together, because I’m
still worried that after all this Kate and Hardshaw
business goes away, my enemies will see you as a
way to hurt me.”
“I’m a big girl, Jed. Remember me and Muffy
got me free from that guy this afternoon. But I’ll
promise you I’ll be more careful in the future,
okay? I’ll be on the defensive.”
“That’s no way to live either, Neely Kate,” he
said with pain in his eyes. “All because of me.”
“Hey,” I said, lifting my hand to cover his on
my cheek. “You’re dealin’ with my nonsense and
I’m dealin’ with yours. It’s a fair deal.”
He looked unconvinced. Then again, so was I—
but I wanted to believe it anyway.
I gave him a warm smile. “Show me the rest of
the house.”
Grinning, he took my hand again, leading me
out into the hall and up the staircase. There were
three bedrooms upstairs, although he was sure there
had been four at one time, with one of the rooms
stolen to make a large master bedroom, bathroom,
and walk-in closet on one side of the house, and
two much smaller bedrooms and a very outdated
bathroom on the other side.
We saw the smaller bedrooms and bathroom
first, and then Jed showed me his simple bed and
dresser in the master.
“My stuff doesn’t work here,” he said. “Maybe
you can help me with that too.”
I laughed. “Seems like you’ll have me redoin’
your whole house.”
“You don’t have to,” he said, “but I know how
much you love decoratin’ and that you don’t get a
chance to since you’re livin’ in Rose’s house.”
His comment made me feel ungrateful. I loved
living with Rose, and she refused to let me pay rent
saying she’d be no better than a slumlord if I
worked for her and paid rent, to boot. Rose would
likely let me do anything to her house, but it was
her house, so I’d never try to change it. “Rose is
very sweet to me.”
“I know she is. Rose has a heart of gold, but as
you can see, my house is in desperate need of fixin’
up and I’m terrible at it. I can’t help thinkin’ you’d
love to help.”
I grinned. “I would.”
His face lit up. “Then it’s settled, but tonight is
about you and me. Do you still want that shower?”
“Do you mind?”
He gave me a sly look. “Actually… I prefer it. I
wasn’t plannin’ on pickin’ you up until eight, so I
need the extra time while you’re in the shower.”
“There are more surprises?”
“A few more. Why don’t you head into the
bathroom and take your shower, and I’ll grab your
bag and put it on the bed. You come down when
you’re ready, but I’ll need at least twenty minutes,
so you can even take a bath if you like.”
 I narrowed my eyes. “What are you up to, Jed
Carlisle?”
“You’re gonna love it.”
“How dressed up should I be?”
“Wear something that makes you feel pretty.”
Then he gave me a quick kiss and headed out the
door.
I turned around in the room, wondering when
he’d packed up his apartment and moved it here,
especially since he said he’d closed on the house
yesterday and we’d made our impromptu trip to
Little Rock in the afternoon. He was right that his
simple contemporary bedroom furniture didn’t go
with the house, but the white walls weren’t helping.
All it needed was a warmer paint color, some
curtains, and some homier furniture and bedding.
Grinning ear to ear, I walked into the bathroom
and took in the slightly dated double vanity,
shower, and deep jetted tub. I eyed the tub
longingly and decided that I’d take Jed’s suggestion
and enjoy a bath. He’d brought my toiletries that
I’d kept at his place, and I wondered how he’d
gotten everything moved and unpacked. I
suspected he’d taken a lesson from Skeeter
Malcolm and hired people to do it. Then again, Jed
didn’t have many material possessions, so it
wouldn’t have taken much time.
The problem with the bath was it left me with
too much time on my hands to think about things,
and I kept seeing the faces of the two dead men. I
relived my near-kidnapping, and in the end, I was
making myself more anxious, not less. My phone
was on the ledge, so I picked it up and turned on
some music, hoping it would distract me.
After fifteen minutes, I grabbed a towel to wrap
around myself and opened the door to the bedroom,
where I found my suitcase lying on the bed. I pulled
out a lacy pink dress, clean underwear—also lacy
pink—and my makeup bag, then carried them into
the bathroom. After I reapplied a light layer of
makeup, I dressed and examined my reflection in
the full-length mirror in the nearly empty walk-in
closet.
I’d never worn this dress before, but I looked
like a combination of sweet and sophisticated, and I
almost changed my mind about wearing it. Would
Jed like it? It was a lot dressier than I usually wore
with him, but he’d originally told me to dress up, so
I ultimately left it on. I rolled my hair into a French
twist, then added a light coat of lip gloss, slipped on
a pair of nude-colored heels, then headed for the
bedroom door, nearly thirty minutes after Jed had
left me to go work on his next surprise.
“Jed?” I called out down the stairs.
The bathroom door across the hall opened, and
Jed walked out wearing a light blue dress shirt, dark
gray dress pants, and a light blue silk tie. The most
dressed up I’d ever seen Jed was in a short-sleeved
button-up shirt and jeans, so the sight of him caught
me off guard. He was freshly shaven, and he must
have taken a shower because his hair was still
damp. His eyes darkened even more when he took
me in, and he closed the distance between us
stopping about a foot from me.
“You’re beautiful, Neely Kate.”
I smiled up at him. “You clean up pretty nice,
yourself.”
“You ready?” he asked as he reached out his
hand.
I didn’t know what he had planned, but if it was
with Jed, I would go with him just about anywhere.
“Yeah.”
We walked down the stairs hand in hand while I
held on to the railing. Jed kept stealing smiling
glances at me. Butterflies filled my stomach, and I
wondered how I could have worried if he was
considering breaking up with me. It felt foolish and
juvenile, and I realized that all my previous
relationships had been shallow, and now I had the
chance to have something real and meaningful with
Jed. Something I’d never shared with anyone else.
When we reached the bottom of the stairs, he
led me through the living room and empty dining
room to the kitchen, where something smelled
delicious.
“If you cooked dinner, showered, and changed
to look this good, then you are one amazing man,” I
teased.
He laughed. “I had the food delivered.” Then
he walked to the back door he’d bypassed before
and opened it, revealing a covered porch. The
ceiling was strung with white string lights, and a
small round table was placed in the middle, set with
a white tablecloth, two white plates, and empty
wine glasses. “This is what I was working on.”
I froze in the doorway, not believing my eyes.
“How…” I shook my head, gaping at him.
“I strung the lights last night but set the table
while you were in the bathroom.”
“Jed… it’s so beautiful.”
 “You deserve beautiful things, Neely Kate. I
plan to give ’em to you.”
A lump filled my throat. “Jed, all I need is you.”
He smiled, then reached for my hand, tugging
me to a chair. “Have a seat and I’ll bring out the
first course.”
I laughed. “There’s courses?”
“Yep. Wait here.”
He went inside, and I stared at the yard behind
the house and realized the property was completely
enveloped by trees. Jed walked out with two small
plates of salad, and set them on the larger plates.
Then he headed back into the kitchen and returned
with an open bottle of wine. He sat down and filled
our wine glasses, then picked up his glass and
extended it toward me. “To the most beautiful
woman I have ever known, both inside and out.”
I lifted my glass and touched it to his. “And to
the most honorable, supportive man I’ve ever
known. You’ve shown me the meaning of a real
man. Thank you.”
He clinked his glass with mine and we took a
sip, keeping our eyes on one other. I lowered the
glass to the table and took a bite of the salad—
spring greens covered in strawberries and
blueberries, pecans, and feta cheese. I was in
heaven.
“Where on earth did you get this food?” I asked
as I took another bite.
“I’ll tell you later. First tell me about your week
up until today, because we haven’t seen that much
of each other.”
I told him about several clients and the designs I
created and how I’d come up with them. After we
finished the salads, he hauled the plates into the
kitchen, then returned with two plates covered in
steak, asparagus, and baked potatoes.
“Jed,” I practically moaned after I took a bite
of the medium-well steak. “This is delicious. Who
cooked this?”
“I’m pretty good at grillin’ steaks,” he said with
a grin. “But I confess I let someone else cook them
this time. A new catering service that opened a few
weeks ago.” He took a bite of his potato and said,
“The backyard is pretty bare. Maybe you could
come up with a landscape design.”
I smiled. “I’d like that.”
We spent the main course talking about the
garage. Jed explained that he’d approached Witt a
few weeks ago about being a co-owner. Witt had
exhausted all of his available financial resources,
and Jed was looking for a legit business, so they
agreed to become partners. Witt had already
located the garage space and worked out a rental
agreement, which was why they had been able to
set it up so quickly.
“What about this house?” I asked as Jed poured
more wine into each of our glasses.
“What about it? I already told you one of the
reasons I got it was because it was so secluded.”
“But buyin’ property takes time. When did you
start lookin’?”
He picked up a roll from a wicker basket. “The
day after we came back from Ardmore.”
“What?”
“I knew, Neely Kate. I knew drivin’ home that
you and I were meant to be, but I also knew I had
to keep you safe. I wanted it to be a place you’d
consider home too, so I had the real estate agent
look for a decent house that was surrounded by
trees and outside of town. She found this and I
thought it was perfect, so I made an offer.”
“But you didn’t know that we’d work out,” I
countered.
He held my gaze with a confidence in his eyes
that stole my breath. “I knew.”
We finished our second course, then Jed
collected the plates, pausing to ask, “Dessert? It’s
cheesecake with strawberries.”
“I should say no, especially since I’m full…”
He grinned in the doorway. “How about we
share?”
“Okay.”
A couple of minutes later, he returned carrying
a single plate with a thin slice of cheesecake
smothered in strawberries.
He scooted his chair closer to mine, then picked
up his spoon and used it to scoop off the end piece
of the cheesecake. He didn’t eat it himself, but
instead held the spoon up to my mouth. Beaming, I
took the bite.
With a smug smile, he dipped his spoon into the
cheesecake again and took a quick bite for himself,
then offered me another, moving slowly and
deliberately as his gaze held mine.
I could feel the atmosphere changing.
Electricity charged the air as I took the bite, his
eyes watching my mouth. My breath turned
shallow, and I picked up my own spoon and slid it
through the cheesecake, then held it up to his lips.
His mouth closed around it, his lips skimming the
spoon while he watched me with an intense gaze.
I lowered the spoon to the table. “I’m not
hungry for cheesecake anymore.”
His lust-filled eyes were locked on mine.
“Neither am I.”
Standing, he gently gathered my hand in his,
tugging me to my feet.
My heels made me taller, so I didn’t have to
reach as high to kiss him.
His arms wrapped around my back, pulling me
flush to his body as he took the lead with the kiss.
He tasted like cheesecake and strawberries, and
something offering so much more. So much more
permanent.
Then he abruptly pulled back, out of my reach,
and I gaped at him in confusion. “I know you want
me, Jed,” I said, not bothering to keep the hurt out
of my voice. “Why do you keep rejectin’ me?”
“Rejectin’ you?” he asked in disbelief. “Is that
how you see it?” Then his gaze dropped to the floor
and he released a soft curse. “Of course you
would.” His eyes lifted to mine, full of
understanding. “No, Neely Kate. Just trust me on
this, okay?”
 “Why can’t we just talk about it?” I asked. “So
there’s no more misunderstandin’.”
He pushed out a breath. “Just wait here for a
few minutes, and then I’ll explain it all to you,
okay?”
My eyes narrowed in confusion. What was
there to explain? “Are you deformed, Jed? Is it
crooked? Because I don’t care if it is.”
His eyes grew wide. Then he burst out laughing.
“No, it’s not crooked.” Then he pulled me hard
against his chest, kissing me so thoroughly I forgot
where I was standing. When he lifted his face, I
could see how much effort it took to pull away.
“You can see for yourself very soon, but just give
me a few more minutes.”
“So you intend to sleep with me tonight?” I
asked.
His grin turned sly. “We’ve slept together
plenty of times.”
“Okay, then are we havin’ sex tonight?” I
asked.
His smile fell, and his face turned serious. “No,
we will not be having sex tonight. Now let me go
upstairs for a few minutes, and I’ll explain it all,
okay?”
 “We’re not havin’ sex?” I asked, unable to hide
my disappointment.
“Do you trust me, Neely Kate?” he asked in a
serious tone.
“Well, yeah, but—”
“No. No but. Do you trust me or not?”
“Of course I trust you.”
His hand lifted to cup my face. “And have I
ever done anything to purposely hurt you?”
“No, of course not.”
“I’ve done everything in my power to show you
how much you mean to me. Has it been obvious to
you or have I been too subtle?”
The man rebuilt a car for me to keep me safe
and bought a house to hide me from his enemies
and wanted to give me free rein to fix it up
however I liked. If that didn’t scream a man who
cared about me, I didn’t know what did. “No, Jed.
Not subtle.”
“I want tonight to be perfect for you. Perfect
for us. Just give me a few minutes. Then I promise
you that I’ll take care of everything.”
His words were dripping with innuendo and I
shivered. “Okay.”
A huge grin lit up his face. “Thank you. Now
wait here and I’ll come get you when I’m ready.”
Then he took off through the kitchen as though he
was worried he’d change his mind. He called over
his shoulder, “And don’t you dare touch those
dishes. Why don’t you finish off the wine?”
I sat back down and poured the last bit into my
glass, looking out into the now-dark yard. Fireflies
floated through the yard, their lights blinking
sporadically, making Jed’s yard look magical. I
closed my eyes and imagined a life with him here—
sitting together on the porch swing, picnicking in
the yard out back, cuddled up on a sofa watching
TV, cooking in the kitchen—it filled me with such
contentment. I imagined him coming home from the
garage, sweeping me into his arms and kissing me
the way he’d just done, and I wanted that life more
than I’d ever wanted anything in all my born days.
I was so lost in thought that I should have been
startled when he gently slipped his hand over my
shoulder, but it felt right.
I covered his hand with mine and glanced back
at him.
“What were you thinkin’ about?” he asked as
he walked around and knelt in front of me.
I could have been coy. I could have held back
lest I scare him away, but Jed had been talking
about long term, so I would too. “You,” I said
softly. “Us.”
He grinned up at me. “And?”
“I love your new house. I can see us being
happy here.”
He looked relieved, then pulled me to my feet.
“When I look at you, I see forever, Jed,” I
admitted. “That scares me.”
He didn’t say a word, just held my hand and led
me upstairs, pausing in front of his closed bedroom
door. Then he lifted his hand to my face and stared
lovingly into my eyes. “I realize that I’ve hurt you
by not sleepin’ with you, and I’m sorry. But so
many men have taken advantage of you.”
A new horror washed through me. What if Jed
couldn’t bring himself to sleep with me because I’d
been raped? What if that freaked him out so much
he didn’t want to touch me?
His gaze narrowed. “Sunshine, whatever is
runnin’ through that creative mind of yours, just
reel it back in and make it heel. Let me finish.”
“Okay.”
“Man after man has used you. They’ve hurt
you in the most brutal way.” His eyes darkened. “I
want to rip them limb from limb for daring to lay
eyes on you, let alone touch you, but I can’t. The
only thing I’ve known to do is treat you with the
respect you were owed by those men. The respect
you are owed by any man, but especially me.” He
paused. “I didn’t want you to just sleep with me,
Neely Kate. I want you to know that I will always
treat you with respect and love.”
“Jed, you do.”
“I didn’t want to sleep with you until I could
tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that I love
you, and hopefully give you time to catch up. You
deserve a man who respects you enough to wait. To
treat you like the precious gift you are.” He stared
down at me with love and adoration. “I love you,
Neely Kate Rivers. I’ve been waitin’ my whole life
for you. Waitin’ a month to sleep with you was
nothing.”
Tears stung my eyes. “Say it again.”
He grinned. “I love you, Neely Kate. I want to
spend the rest of my life with you. I want to marry
you and make you mine.”
My elation dampened. “I’m still married, Jed. I
can’t marry you.”
“We’ll track down the bastard and get him to
sign the papers,” he said, as though it was as easy
as going to the grocery store to buy milk. “But
that’s not gonna stop me from loving you now.
Ceremony or not, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
His face radiated with happiness and he pushed
open the door. “Now let me show you.”
 CHAPTER 22

J ed had set multiple candles around the

room, their flickering flames serving as
the only light. The soft music playing
felt like an invitation, and I stepped in, taking it all
in. His brown and beige bedspread had been
removed from the bed, now replaced by a white
blanket and a pile of white pillows.
I looked up at him with a questioning look.
“When? How?”
He laughed. “It wasn’t easy. I never expected
you to come over until I brought you here, and I
was sure you would see the bags in the closet.”
I walked to the foot of the bed. “I saw them but
never thought a thing about them. You didn’t have
to do all of this.”
“I wanted our first time to be special,” he said
as he followed me in.
“More special than you tellin’ me you waited to
say you loved me first?” I shook my head. “Jed…”
“I’ve wanted to sleep with you for months, but
I knew I had to wait.” A hungry look filled his eyes.
“But we’re done waitin’.” He paused and held my
gaze. “Unless you’ve changed your mind. You’re in
control tonight, Neely Kate. You’re callin’ all the
shots.”
“I haven’t changed my mind. I want you even
more.” I gave him a mischievous grin. “So I tell you
to take off your shirt, you’ll do it?”
He reached for the knot of his tie. “Just say the
word.”
I walked over to him and gently brushed his
hands away, then captured his face with my palms.
“Let me get one last look at you all dressed up.”
He laughed. “We can dress up again. I can take
you to Shreveport. Or Little Rock.”
I tilted my head. “While this was fun, and I
definitely want to do this again, I don’t think we’re
dress-up-very-often kind of people.”
“What about that fundraiser dinner tomorrow
night?” he asked in surprise. “You were all excited
about bein’ high society.”
“I wanted Joe to not be ashamed to call me his
sister, and he proved that he wasn’t ashamed when
he introduced me as his sister to all those sheriff
deputies.” I shrugged. “It doesn’t feel as important
as it did before.” I reached up and kissed him. “I
was lookin’ for a family, Jed. I’ve found that with
Rose. I’ve found that with you.”
He slowly slipped an arm around my back and
gently tugged me to his chest. “Don’t forget you’re
callin’ the shots. You’re in total control.”
I knew what he was doing. It was another gift
from this amazing man who didn’t have a selfish
bone in his body as far as I was concerned. “Show
me how much you love me, Jed.”
“Gladly.” He kissed me, soft and gentle. I
wrapped my arms around his neck and clung to
him, demanding more, which he willingly gave. His
hand lifted to the back of my head, pulling me
closer, as his other hand slid up my back to find my
zipper.
I stepped back, dislodging his hand, and he
watched me with a mixture of patience and desire.
“I want to undress you first.”
 He grinned, holding his hands out at his sides.
“I’m yours to undress.”
I closed the distance between us again and
reached for his tie, loosening the knot, then tugging
it over his head and tossing it on the floor. “We
don’t want to lose track of that. We might want to
use it later.”
His eyes widened at that and his nostrils flared,
and I wondered if Jed wanted to tie me up or be the
one who was tied down. I didn’t dwell on it as I
quickly undid the top button of his shirt, then
stretched up to place a kiss at the base of his neck.
His next two buttons followed, with my mouth
blazing a trail down his chest to his perfectly
rippled abs above the waistband of his pants.
“Can I touch you?” he asked in a raspy voice.
I smiled up at him. “Of course.” I dropped to
my knees and unbuckled his belt, then unfastened
the clasp of his pants, placing a kiss on the bare
skin above his underwear.
He groaned and lifted a hand to the back of my
neck, his fingertips gently caressing.
Smiling to myself, I slowly unzipped his fly, the
bulge in his underwear springing into the gap. I
placed a kiss on his underwear, working my way
down to the bottom of the zipper. I reached up to
his waistband and tugged down, sliding his pants
over his hips and then pushing them down to his
knees. I bent down and lifted his foot, slipping off
his shoe and sock, then moved on to the other.
Once I’d removed both shoes and socks, I tugged
his pants to the floor, and he kicked them to the
side.
I glanced up, in awe that this gorgeous man was
not only letting me undress him, but was staring at
me as though I were the most beautiful woman
alive. He stood there patiently, and unguarded, in
his open dress shirt and his white boxer briefs, his
erection straining against the fabric, ceding all
control to me.
“I know I told you that you’re in charge,” he
said in a tight voice, “but can I make requests?”
“I’m not in charge,” I said, placing another kiss
at the tip of his erection over his underwear. “We
both are. What do you want, Jed?”
“I want so much, Neely Kate,” he growled,
sinking his hand into the side of my hair, being
careful not to mess up my updo. “So fucking
much.”
I placed another kiss over his underwear. “Then
show me what you want.”
He reached under my armpits and hauled me to
my feet, his mouth covering mine as his tongue and
lips devoured my own.
I clung to him, overcome with emotion and lust,
and before I even realized what he’d done, he had
the back of my dress unzipped. His hands landed on
my shoulders, pushing me back slightly so he could
see down the length of me. His fingers barely
brushed the skin of my collarbone, sending a shiver
up my spine as he slid the dress over my shoulders
and down my arms until the fabric hung on my
hips.
I started to push it down, but he grabbed my
hands and brought them to his lips, kissing the
knuckles of each hand. “No. Let me unwrap my
gift.”
I smiled at him as he dropped my hands and
then rested his on my hips. From there he slowly
slid his palms down, tugging my dress until it
puddled on the floor at my feet.
“Heels on or off?” I asked.
“What makes you feel sexier?” he asked, his
mouth dropping to the base of my neck.
“I want you to like what you see,” I said,
another shiver running down my back as he kissed,
then licked a sensitive spot.
He chuckled against my skin. “Oh, Neely Kate,
I would love lookin’ at you even if you were
wearin’ a paper bag.” Looking up, he held the side
of my face as he searched my eyes. “I love seein’
your sexy legs in heels, but I also know they aren’t
the most comfortable things to wear. Besides, I got
plenty of opportunities to peek at them during
dinner.” His gaze turned serious. “But this is about
making you feel empowered. If you feel sexier in
four-inch stiletto heels, I’ll run out and find you a
pair. If wearing heels in our bedroom reminds you
of times you were hurt or mistreated, I’ll take them
off your feet and burn them in the fireplace.”
“You make me feel sexy, Jed. Not the shoes.”
A sultry grin spread across his face. “Then take
’em off.” He dropped to his knees and bent my
right leg and then my left, taking off my heels and
tossing them by his shoes. His gaze drifted up, over
my lacy panties and bra and up to my face. “You
are the most beautiful sight I have ever seen.”
I flushed, and he nudged me backward until my
legs were pressed against the foot of the bed, then
eased me back so that I was sitting on the edge.
 “Before we start this,” he said in a solemn tone,
his face a foot from mine, “we need to discuss
protection.”
“I’m not on the pill, Jed,” I said, glancing down.
“And I don’t have an IUD or anything. I can’t get
pregnant.”
“Those things don’t protect against STIs,” he
said.
Shame washed through me and I looked away
as my eyes filled with tears.
“Why are you upset?” he asked. Then he
cursed. “Oh fuck. I’m not talkin’ about you, Neely
Kate. God, not you.” He knelt in front of me,
pulling me to him and wrapping me up tight in his
arms. “I was talking about me. I’m sure I don’t
have any, but…” He paused. “This is all about you
bein’ in control, even if I’m doin’ a piss-poor job of
makin’ that happen. I don’t want to make love to
you and have you worried that I’m going to give
you a disease or infection.”
I kept my gaze on the bed. “I trust you, Jed.”
He brushed a stray hari from my eyes, letting
his fingers trail down my cheek. “I’ve hurt you.”
“No. I’m just…”
“Ashamed?” he asked quietly, his dark brown
eyes holding mine.
I nodded, looking away again.
He grasped both sides of my face in his hands
and gently tipped my chin up until my gaze met his.
“Neely Kate, I plan to make it my lifelong goal to
help you banish that shame. I know it’s not gonna
happen overnight, but I’m a patient man.” He
grinned. “Look how long I waited for you.”
I couldn’t help laughing. “A couple of months
isn’t that long.”
“It’s been longer than that.”
Before I could ask how long, he kissed me, soft
and gentle, as though we were starting over again.
He laid me down on the bed and scooted me up so
my head was on the pillows. He took his time,
exploring my mouth with his tongue while his hands
roamed my body, a lazy pace that had me writhing
from his touch.
He pushed up on his elbow. “I love you.”
I smiled up at him. “I love you too.”
He pulled me to a sitting position and unhooked
my bra. After he slowly tugged it off and tossed it
to the side, he quickly dispensed with my panties.
Jed was still wearing his unbuttoned shirt, so I
nudged it over his shoulders, letting it fall on the
bed behind him. My gaze fell on his underwear,
then lifted to his face.
“I love you, Neely Kate, but if you’ve changed
your mind, we can wait.”
“I don’t want to wait.” I pushed him down on
the bed so that he was lying on his back. He stared
up at me with hooded eyes as I knelt next to him
and started to pull down his underwear. His
erection sprang free and I grinned at him. “Not
crooked.”
He laughed.
I wrapped my hand around him and began to
stroke.
He sucked in a breath. “I’m not gonna last
long.”
I leaned over and kissed his tip, and he grabbed
my arms and pulled me up, rolling me onto my
back, and kissed me.
I laughed against his mouth and he rolled to his
side, groaning playfully.
“You like driving me crazy,” he said.
I gave him a mischievous grin. “I like knowing I
can.”
His hand slipped between my legs and I arched
my back, drawing in a breath. His dark eyes
watched me closely. “I like knowin’ I drive you
crazy too.”
I rolled on top of him, straddling his upper
thighs, then took him in my hand again. “I want to
be on top.”
His chest rose and fell. “You’re in charge.”
Lifting up on my knees, I straddled him and
slowly took him in. His hands rested on my hips,
and he slowed me down as he filled me so
completely. I leaned back my head, reveling in the
fact that this man was mine.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he groaned. “I can’t
believe you’re finally in my bed.”
I rose again and lowered. He moaned, his
fingers dug into my flesh unwittingly, and sat up.
Sliding an arm around my back, he captured my
mouth with his while I continued to ride him.
Then he held me still and lowered his mouth to
my breast, his tongue and teeth setting my body on
fire, my core tightening in response.
I needed more. So much more. I pulled his
mouth to mine and kissed him hard, taking him
even deeper inside me.
Jed groaned, his hands returning to my hips as
he quickened the pace, until I was breathless and
begging for him to give me what I needed. I could
feel myself climbing higher and higher until the air
was so thin I was dizzy, and for one long second, I
felt suspended in time before I fell apart, calling out
his name.
I was vaguely aware of his own release as he
gave one last plunge. Then he held me close as we
waited for our breathing to return to normal.
I rested my forehead on his shoulder, and
because all of that skin was begging for my mouth,
I kissed his collarbone up to his neck.
He shifted, placing his finger under my chin so
he could study my face. “Neely Kate…” The awe
and love in his eyes took my breath away all over
again. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
I knew I couldn’t have happily ever after. But I
could revel in my happy for now.
 CHAPTER 23

W e made love again, and then I fell

asleep in Jed’s arms, feeling more
loved than I’d ever felt in my life.
When I woke, the room was dark, and Jed was
gone. Panicked, I sat up as my imagination ran
wild. “Jed!”
I heard footsteps on the stairs.
“Jed?”
“I’m here,” he said in a tight voice as his
silhouette appeared in the doorway. “Are you
okay?”
“Sorry,” I said, feeling foolish. “You were gone,
it’s dark, and I was in an unfamiliar room I’m not
familiar with…”
 He sat down on the bed next to me and
wrapped me up in his arms. “Sorry if I woke you.”
“You didn’t.” I snuggled into his bare chest.
“What were you doin’?”
“Dermot called so I took it downstairs.”
I pulled away from him and tried to look up into
his face, but the room was too dark to see his
expression. I leaned over and turned on the bedside
lamp, wincing as my eyes adjusted to the light.
“What happened?”
“He thinks he found out what Adkins was up
to, but he says he wants me to come see it for
myself.”
“What is it?”
“I don’t now, but he wants me to come out to
the Broken Branch Motel.”
I narrowed my eyes. “That’s where Carol Ann
Nelson was murdered.”
He made a face. “It wasn’t the first murder
there, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I have a
feeling Adkins was holed up there.”
“Wouldn’t the sheriff’s department have found
that out?” I asked.
“No. Henryetta PD won’t give up the case.”
“But the motel is outside the city limits.” Rose
and I had figured that detail out when we’d
investigated Carol Ann’s murder a couple of weeks
ago.
“First of all, Henryetta PD couldn’t investigate
their way out of a paper bag, and second, if Dermot
found something and neither law enforcement
agency knows about, it’s likely because Adkins
didn’t leave a paper trail. Witnesses are far more
likely to talk to Dermot and Skeeter’s guys before
they’ll talk to someone with a badge. But the
sheriff’s department isn’t stupid, which means
they’ll figure it out soon enough. So before you
ask,” he said, leveling his gaze, “yes, that’s why I
need to go see it now. To beat them to it.”
“I’m coming with you.”
His lips pressed together. “I was gonna tell you
to stay here with the guards, but I’m feelin’ even
more protective of you now. I don’t want to let you
out of my sight.”
I leaned closer and gave him a kiss. “That was
easy.”
He grinned, but his eyes were troubled. “I’m
gonna get dressed. How long will it take you to be
ready to leave?”
“Five minutes.”
 “It rained while we were sleepin’, and the
temperature cooled off. Did you pack a pair of
jeans?”
I shook my head. “No, but I have a pair of
capris and a T-shirt.”
He stood and pulled me over to the edge of the
bed. “I hate that our night got ruined.”
“What time is it?”
“One thirty.”
“Then our night wasn’t ruined. It’s the next
morning.”
He kissed me again, then headed into the
bathroom. It was then I realized he’d been walking
around stark naked downstairs. But then again, I
was naked too.
I pulled the capris and a T-shirt out of my
suitcase, retrieved my underwear from the floor,
then quickly dressed. When I went into the
bathroom to brush my teeth, I saw Jed walking out
of his closet—still naked but carrying a big
handgun.
“Do you have your own gun?” he asked in a
serious tone.
“Not with me.”
“I’d feel better if you carried one.”
 That made me nervous. “Okay.”
“You have a concealed carry permit, so I want
you to carry one all the time. At least for now.”
“Okay.”
He walked out into his room and got dressed
while I brushed my teeth. When he came back in,
he had a small holster. “I’m gonna slip this into the
back of your pants.”
I laughed. “That’s quite the pickup line.”
I expected him to laugh, but the corners of his
mouth barely tipped up as he slid the holster
between the small of my back and my capris.
“What do you expect to find there, Jed?”
“Dermot didn’t say, but he was spooked.”
A spooked Dermot was a bad sign.
I shooed him out so I could pee, and when I
emerged from the bathroom, he had a gray hoodie
in his hands. “It’s pretty chilly tonight, so take this
in case you get cold.”
I took the hoodie, still amazed that Jed Carlisle
was concerned about my comfort. He was an
imposing figure to people who didn’t know him,
and even after I’d first met him, he’d been the
strong, silent type. But that man was nothing like
the man I’d gotten to know. This man was loving,
protective, supportive, and at times downright
chatty, but he wasn’t chatty right now. He was
retreating into himself, which meant he expected to
find something bad.
“I’m gonna get you a gun out of my gun safe,”
he said, striding toward the bathroom.
“I’ll head downstairs and find my phone,” I
said. “I haven’t seen it since we got here.” But as
soon as I started down the stairs, I realized I’d left
it in Jed’s car.
When I opened the front door to retrieve it, a
large man dressed in black quickly blocked my exit.
“I need you to go back inside, miss.”
I took a step back, slightly startled. “I just need
to get my purse out of the car.”
“Mr. Carlisle asked us to make sure you stay
inside. He’s worried someone might be in the trees
waiting for you.”
My stomach dropped. “Have you seen anyone
out there?”
“No, miss, but we follow Mr. Carlisle’s
instructions. Can I get it for you?”
“No. I’ll just wait until we leave.” I closed the
door and walked into the kitchen, trying to dispel
my nervous energy. The dirty glasses and dishes
were on the table out on the porch, so I set the
hoodie on the counter and headed out to grab the
wine glasses and the silverware. Jed was in the
living room, coming toward me, as I set them in the
kitchen sink.
His brow furrowed as his gaze landed on the
open door. “Neely Kate. Don’t go out there.”
“I’m just getting the dirty dishes. I doubt there’s
anyone out in your backyard.”
“Just humor me.” He shut the door to the porch
and pivoted to face me. “I have a really bad
feeling.”
I might have argued with him if I didn’t have a
bad feeling myself, like the boogeyman was waiting
to pounce. “I left my purse in the car, and your
security guard wouldn’t let me go out to get it.”
“After Dermot’s call, I told them to stick close
to the front door. He knows you’re what they’re
protecting, and he takes his job seriously.”
My eyebrows shot up. “You talked to him
naked?”
A mischievous grin lit up his eyes. “Why not?
It’s not like my dick is crooked.”
“Jed!”
He laughed. “I wasn’t standing in the doorway
showing it off. I called him on the phone.”
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “You’re
terrible.”
“And you like me that way,” he teased.
It was true.
I closed the distance between us and hugged
him, burrowing into his chest. “I had no idea what I
was missing in my life until I had you, Jed, and I
don’t want to go back to that emptiness.”
Slipping his arms around my back, he snugged
me closer and rested his chin on my head. “I feel
exactly the same way.” He held me for several
seconds, and then his arms tightened as though he’d
thought of something distasteful. “You ready to
go?”
I was scared to see what Dermot had found, but
I was ready for this nightmare to be over. “Yeah.”
He dropped his arms and, reaching around his
back, he pulled out a small handgun. “Here’s the
weapon I got you.” He showed me the safety, then
popped out the clip and slid it back in, before
spinning me around and inserting the gun into the
holster at the small of my back. With a deep sigh,
he rested his hands on my shoulders, and rubbed
gently. Jed’s every moment was usually purposeful,
but this was reflexive. He was nervous.
I lifted my left hand to cover his and glanced
over my shoulder. “It’s gonna be okay, Jed.”
“Something’s off, Neely Kate. I can feel it.”
I could too, and we both had pretty good
instincts. I turned to face him. “What do you think
it is?”
He shook his head, worry in his eyes. “I don’t
know, and that’s what has me worried. I can usually
see what’s comin’, but this time… I see nothin’.”
I forced a laugh. “The next thing I know, you’ll
be tellin’ me you have visions of the future like
Rose.”
He frowned. “I really wish she were here right
now so I could ask her what she sees.”
That’s how Jed had met her, and I had to admit
I would have been tempted to ask her myself, but it
wouldn’t do us any good at the moment. While
she’d gotten pretty good about directing visions to
tell her what she wanted, she needed to be able to
touch the person she was having a vision for, and
she was an hour and a half away.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pressed
myself into his chest and gave him a soft smile. “I
trust you, Jed.”
 He kissed me with a possessiveness that caught
me by surprise, his arm like a vice as he held me
close. When he lifted his head, his eyes burned with
love and worry. “Part of me wants to take you
away from here and never look back,” he said with
a grave expression. “I feel it’s only fair to warn you
that if things take a turn for the worse, that’s what
I’m gonna do.”
I stared up at him. “You’re gonna run away
with me? What about your business with Witt?
What about your new house?”
“Fuck all of that,” he growled.
I stared at him in disbelief. “I can’t let you give
up everything for me.”
“Don’t you get it?” he asked in frustration.
“You’re my everything. None of it means a damn
thing without you.”
“Oh, Jed.” Every time I tried to figure a way
out of this mess, I only saw us digging ourselves
deeper.
Just like Kate wanted. I suspected every move
we had made up to this point had played right into
her scheme. We needed to throw her off her game.
But how?
At some point, I was going to have to figure out
a way to protect Jed and Joe. And Witt and Rose.
I’d seen firsthand what the woman was capable of
last February, and she’d left a high body count. I
couldn’t afford to lose a single person. I had to stop
her before she got that far, because now that I
thought it over, I suspected the family reunion she
was planning involved more than me and Joe. It
involved everyone I cared about.
I needed my phone.
“Let’s go,” I said softly as I linked my hand
with his, wondering how much longer I’d have with
him. Kate would want to take Jed away from me as
well as Joe. She’d strip everything from me as
payback for daring to fill her shoes in Joe’s life.
Kate was wicked and vindictive and capable of
horrible, horrible things. She would make our life
hell until I gave her what she wanted, and the only
way I knew to stop this was to cut her off now.
Before there was too much collateral damage to
save them at all.
 CHAPTER 24

“
Y ou’re awfully quiet,” Jed said as we
approached the motel.
When we’d left the house, he and
his team of four guards had acted like I was the
Queen of England as they’d moved me to Jed’s car.
I’d been quiet, coming up with a plan to throw
Kate off her axis. I had the beginnings of one, and I
already knew Jed would never approve.
“Is your phone charged yet?” he asked.
I was sure that wasn’t idle chitchat. He likely
wanted to know if Jed or Kate had called me, but
when we’d gotten into Jed’s car, I’d discovered my
phone battery had died, not that I was surprised. It
was old and I hadn’t charged it at all the day
before. Now it had been charging for nearly ten
minutes and was still showing the charging screen
and nothing else.
“You need a new phone,” he said in a gruff
tone. “I’m gettin’ you one as soon as the store
opens this morning.”
“Jed,” I softly scolded. “Stop. You bought me a
car. You’re not buying me a phone. I’ll buy my
own.” Which I really couldn’t afford. Sure, I was
living with Rose rent-free, but Ronnie had racked
up a bundle of credit card debit and I was fighting
like hell to get that paid down as quickly as
possible. Every spare dime went toward the
thousands he owed. Too bad I hadn’t figured out
what he’d spent that eighteen thousand dollars on.
“I need to be able to get ahold of you, NK, and
your phone is a refurbished four-year-old model.
I’m getting’ you a new phone and that’s that.”
I couldn’t help grinning at him. “That’s that,
huh?”
He looked slightly chagrinned. “I don’t plan to
boss you around, but when it comes to your safety
and my peace of mind, I suspect I won’t be able to
stop myself.”
I leaned over and rested my temple on his
shoulder. “I love you, Jed. No matter what
happens, I need you to know that.”
He glanced down at me, and I could see the
alarm in his eyes in the glow of the dashboard light.
“You’re gonna be fine, Neely Kate, one way or the
other. You have to trust me.”
“I trust you, Jed.” And I did—I trusted him to
throw away his own life to keep me safe, but Kate
was like a bulldog with a piece of rawhide. She was
never letting go of me. No matter where we went,
she would find me and make things ten times worse
for daring to evade her. I couldn’t let him sacrifice
himself for me.
I wasn’t worth the price.
The flashing neon lights of the Broken Branch
Motel shined in the distance, the lights for multiple
letters missing so that it read roach motel.
“Talk about truthfulness in advertisin’,” I
quipped, my stomach flip-flopping. What would we
find?
He shot me a tight smile, then pulled into the
parking lot around the side of the building, which
was less noticeable from the road. The one
drawback to criminals using the place for nefarious
purposes was the difficulty in hiding their cars.
 Our security detail parked next to us on the
passenger side.
Jed started to open the door when my phone
sprang to life.
“Wait,” I said. “I have some messages and
voice mails.”
“Any important?”
I glanced up at him. “A voice mail from
Granny. And one from Joe. Did he call you?”
“When I woke up with Dermot’s call, I saw a
message from your brother saying he didn’t know
anything about Chad Manchester’s case because
HPD refused to hand it over. Joe said he couldn’t
get anywhere near it, and Henryetta’s finest wasn’t
talkin’.”
“What time did he text you?” I asked.
“About ten. What’s the time stamp on the voice
mail?”
“Thirty minutes ago.” That couldn’t be good. I
pressed play and put it on speaker.
“Neely Kate,” Joe said, his voice strained. “I
pulled Randy off the detail on your house around
supper time, so I dropped by the farmhouse to
check on things.” He paused. “The body’s gone.
Not a trace. Call me back.”
 I stared up at Jed in horror. “Why would she
move the body?”
“I don’t know,” Jed said, pulling out his own
phone and checking the screen. “We’ll call him
back after we see what Dermot’s found.”
I nodded. “I’m gonna leave my phone in here to
charge. Can you leave the battery on?”
He didn’t look convinced that it was a good
idea. “Just charge it when we come back out.”
“No one’s gonna be stealin’ your car,” I said in
a dry tone. “You’ve got two security guys sittin’
right next to it and another two across the street
parked on the side of the road.”
He pushed out a breath, clearly not wanting to
have this conversation right now. “Fine. Only if you
agree to let me get you another phone.”
“Okay.”
He gave me a sideways glance that suggested
I’d agreed too fast.
“The store doesn’t open until ten a.m., hours
from now,” I said. “And I need this phone charged
now.”
He seemed to accept my explanation, leaving
the engine light on and the key fob in the console.
Then he leaned forward and pulled a ball cap out
from under his seat and shoved it onto his head.
Gesturing to his sweatshirt on my lap, which I’d
brought with me from Jed’s house, he said, “Put the
hoodie on and tug the hood over your face.”
I shoved it over my head and he helped me get
my arm through one of the holes as I got the other.
“Stick close to me. Don’t touch a thing.” Then
he added, shaking his head, “I know you know
better, but I felt better sayin’ it.”
I squeezed his hand. “I’m not offended. I
understand.”
We got out of the car and met in the deep
shadows next to the building. He cinched my hood
to cover more of my face and tucked my hair
inside. Then without saying a word, he wrapped an
arm around my back and ushered me around the
corner.
He hurried down the sidewalk past multiple
rooms, stopping at the door labeled “10.” The door
instantly opened, and Jed steered me inside, a man
I didn’t recognize pushing the door closed behind
us. I shoved off the hood, but Jed left his cap on.
Dermot stood next to the bed, wearing jeans, a
pale blue T-shirt, and a serious expression.
“What do you have?” Jed barked without
preamble.
If Dermot was offended, it wasn’t obvious. He
pointed to the wall on the other side of the TV.
“What do you make of this?”
The wall was covered in newspaper clippings
related to Pearce Manchester’s disappearance and
the reward offered. On the dresser was a note in
Kate’s handwriting.
NK,
A big sister’s job is to take care of her little
sister. He’ll never fuck you again.
I sucked in a breath of horror, and Jed wrapped
an arm around my back, holding me close.
“Is she talkin’ about you?” I whispered, looking
up at Jed.
“Forgive the overreach,” Dermot said, “but I
presumed NK was Neely Kate and Kate must be
Kate Simmons.”
Jed gave a curt nod.
“I’m not sure what the clippin’s are about, but
word has it there’s a Manchester dead in a trunk of
a car over at the Holiday Inn.”
Jed’s fingers dug into my hip. “What you found
here stays between you and your man over there
and us. Got it?”
 Dermot held up his hands in surrender. “I want
no part of this crazy-town shit. I was only standing
guard over it until you got here. But you haven’t
seen the best part,” he said, his face tense. “It
proves Kate’s serious about the second sentence of
her note. Look in the drawer. It was open when we
got here, but Nicholson over there freaked out and
shut it.”
What the hell was in that drawer?
Jed pulled out a latex glove from his front jeans
pocket and tugged it on as he approached the
dresser and opened the drawer. He stared at it for a
few seconds before he looked up at Dermot with an
expressionless face. “Are those what I think they
are?”
Dermot gave a sharp nod. “Now you see why I
called you.”
“What did she leave?” I asked as I inched
forward to peer into the drawer, though I had a
sneaking suspicion I already knew what I’d find.
Sure enough, nestled in a white box with bloody
gauze were two fleshy spheres slightly smaller than
golf balls.
“Since I got dragged into this mess,” Dermot
said with his hands propped on his hips, “I’ve gotta
ask. Do you happen to know the unlucky bastard
who previously owned those testicles?”
“They could be calf balls,” Nicholson said in a
hopeful tone by the door.
Dermot scoffed. “I’ve seen plenty of calf
testicles and human testicles to know the
difference. Those are human. Adult. He was
castrated, and it wasn’t a clean job. There’s scrotal
skin underneath.”
I wasn’t surprised that Dermot had examined it
so closely. I knew he’d been a nurse practitioner,
but I wasn’t sure how often he’d come into contact
with male testicles to know the difference, and I
wasn’t about to ask.
“So, amateur job?” Jed asked as though he was
asking what time Dermot planned to eat breakfast.
“Definitely. That scrotal skin looked like it had
been hacked off with a butter knife. Literally.”
Nicholson ran to the bathroom and the sounds
of retching soon followed. Apparently Dermot
hadn’t shared that part with his guy before we
arrived.
Dermot shot a disgusted look over his shoulder.
“Whoever did this wanted to make sure it hurt.”
Jed cringed, the first sign he was affected by the
fact that Kate had hacked off some man’s testicles,
only I knew exactly who they belonged to.
“So…” Dermot prodded, turning to me. “I take
it you know the owner?”
I opened my mouth to answer, still unsure what
to say when Jed said, “No one from around here.”
“No loved one, I hope,” Dermot said. “Because
blood loss would be a real concern. Unless she
cauterized it.” Dermot shuddered. “Okay then, I’ll
leave you to it.” Then he glanced over his shoulder
again. “I’ll leave Nicholson to help if you want…
since he left his own DNA in the toilet.”
Jed shook his head. “No. I’ve got it covered.
Happen to know anything about who checked out
the room and how long they had it for?”
“If it’s Adkins, he didn’t check in usin’ his
name and he must have an accomplice. We thought
he’d used an alias, but the guy who checked in had
Kansas plates. The owner checked them himself.
Also the guy didn’t match Adkins’ description. Not
big enough, but like I said, could be an accomplice.
They have it until Sunday morning.”
“So we’ve got a bit of time,” Jed said, then
looked up. “The name used—was it Branson
Desoto?”
 “That would be the one,” Dermot said. “So you
do know the poor bastard?”
Jed’s eyes hardened. “Branson Desoto deserves
every ounce of pain Kate gave him and more. I
take great satisfaction knowing he’ll never rape
another woman again.”
Dermot’s gaze drifted to me, and I could see the
curiosity in his eyes, yet he was wise enough to
keep silent. Jed was likely to punch him if he dared
to ask if I had been one of those rape victims.
Nicholson emerged from the bathroom, looking
a lot paler than when he’d gone in.
Dermot rolled his eyes. “Let’s go.”
“How’d you get in?” Jed called out to him
while studying the clippings.
“Key’s on the dresser. Bill’ll keep it on the
down low if you hand him enough cash.” Then
Dermot walked out, leaving me and Jed in a motel
room with Branson’s testicles.
 CHAPTER 25

“
W e have to call Joe.”
Jed shook his head. “No.
Involving Joe is what got us even deeper into this
mess. He’s bound to the law. I can operate a lot
more efficiently outside of it.”
“There’s a reason the laws exist, Jed,” I said,
getting irritated.
He gave me a hard look. “And those same laws
and their bias are why you’re in this situation in the
first place. Why didn’t you go to the police after
you killed Pearce Manchester?”
“You know darn good and well why I didn’t!
Because I didn’t kill him in self-defense!”
“You really think you could have gotten out of
that room alive?” he asked in a deadly calm,
expressionless voice. “He had his back turned,
restin’ up for his next round. Was he facing the
bedroom door?”
The horror of that night sprang up, sucking the
breath out of me.
“Was he facing the door?” Jed demanded, fire
in his eyes.
I nodded. “Yes.”
“How the hell were you gonna get around him
to get out?” He sounded pissed.
“I… when he went to the bathroom.”
“Did he look like he was about to go to the
bathroom?”
“No.” I started to cry.
He moved closer and grabbed my arms, bending
at the knees to hold my gaze. “He would have
killed you, Neely Kate. Even on the off chance you
made it out the bedroom door, he would have
hunted you down and beaten you even worse.” His
expression softened. “I’m not telling you this to
make you second-guess yourself. I’m tellin’ you
that you did exactly what you should have. Only
one person was getting out of that room alive, you
or him. You had to kill him for survival. But your
instinct to hide it was the right impulse. He was a
rich oil man from Dallas. You were a stripper from
Ardmore. You would have gotten an underpaid,
overworked public defender, while his family
would have provided all the resources the DA
needed to send you to prison for life, if for no other
reason but to clear his reputation. You had to hide
it. Was that workin’ with the law?”
I shook my head, my cheeks wet with tears.
“No, it wasn’t. The law and justice are not the
same thing.” He lifted a hand and wiped the tears
from my cheek. “Say the word, and we’re gone.”
I blinked. “You mean gone gone?”
“You’ve suffered more than a person has a right
to, Neely Kate, and as the man who loves you more
than life itself, it’s killin’ me to see you keep
hurtin’. So say the word, and we’ll go. New names.
New place—hell, new country if you want. I hear
Costa Rica’s pretty nice. I’ll make sure you’ll never
get hurt again.”
“But no Rose. No Joe. No Witt.”
He gave me a solemn look. “Everything comes
with a price.”
Joe had said he and I had suffered plenty for
our mistakes, and that as far as he could see, Jed
hadn’t suffered at all. But he was suffering now for
mistakes that weren’t his own.
“What do you think Kate is up to?” I asked.
“Nothing good, because despite her note, Kate
does not have your best interest in mind. Not a
chance.”
“Agreed.”
“But as far as what she’s doin’? I haven’t got a
clue. And that scares me.”
“What are you gonna do about this place?”
“Part of me would like to leave it, but I’m
scared the sheriff’s department will catch wind
somehow—even if it’s an anonymous tip from
Kate.”
“You want to clean it now?”
He nodded. “But you’re not gonna be any part
of it, so I want to send you back to Joe.”
I didn’t answer, just nodded. I agreed with him,
but I still felt like a toddler being handed back and
forth between divorced parents.
“You’re okay with that?”
“I’ll only be in the way here. And I understand
why I need constant protection, even if it’s
irritating as hell.”
He kissed me. “I don’t want to let you out of
my sight, but this will go faster if you’re not here.”
“Okay.”
Pulling out his phone, he quickly called Joe. “A
situation has arisen that I need to handle without
Neely Kate around,” he said without salutation.
“I’m gonna send her to you.” He paused for several
seconds, then said, “Are you sharin’ everything
with me, Simmons? No, I didn’t think so… Yeah,
we’re on the same page here—protect Neely Kate
—but we’re operating out of different books, and
it’s time for me to diverge.”
I grabbed his phone out of his hand, ignoring his
look of shock, and pressed the speaker button. “I’m
a grown woman and deserve to be part of this
conversation.”
“Are you okay?” Joe asked, sounding
exhausted.
“I’m fine, but I’m almost as tired as you sound.
Where are you?”
“Finishin’ up at your house and about to head
home.”
“Then I’ll have Jed’s guards bring me to your
house. I should be there in about twenty minutes.
Sound good?”
“Sure,” he said, but he didn’t sound happy to be
the one taking orders instead of issuing them.
“I’ll see you soon.” I hung up and handed Jed
back his phone with a raised brow.
He looked embarrassed. “You’re right. I should
have included you at the start of that call.”
“It’s okay. Just don’t make a habit of it or we’ll
have a problem.” I glanced toward the open
drawer. “Do you think Kate killed Branson?”
“No. I think she’s playin’ with him somewhere,
and my gut tells me she’s gonna give him to you
like a cat tryin’ to woo a human with a mouse.”
I shuddered, mostly because I suspected he was
right.
“What are you gonna tell Joe?” he asked.
“I don’t know yet. I want to tell him something,
but I won’t tell him enough to get you into any kind
of trouble.”
“I trust you, Neely Kate, but he’s close to
cavin’ and involvin’ the sheriff’s department. You
may have told him you’d consider it, but I won’t.
I’m not gonna stand back and let you get railroaded
for this. I’m about to start covering all of your
tracks.”
“Joe won’t agree with that.”
“And there lies our problem,” he said. “He has
a lot of faith in the legal system because he has
money and clout. Not to mention his daddy got him
out of most of his prior legal troubles. But we’re
not lookin’ at Arkansas politics here, Neely Kate.
We’re lookin’ at a crime syndicate that is ruthless.
In no way, shape, or form will I let you become a
sacrificial lamb.”
I gave him a soft smile. “I love you, Jed.”
“And I love you. I didn’t just get you to lose
you. So tell Joe as little as possible, and as soon as I
get this cleaned up, I’m actively lookin’ for Kate.”
I pulled my hood back on, and he walked me
out to his car. After I grabbed my phone and my
purse out of his sedan, he ushered me into the
backseat of the security detail’s car. “Call me when
you get there—don’t forget. What percentage is
your phone battery at?”
I glanced at the screen. “Fifteen percent.”
He made a face. “Plug it in as soon as you get
to Joe’s. We’ll arrange for that new phone as soon
as the store opens.” He leaned in and gave me a
warm kiss. “Be safe, Neely Kate.”
“You too.”
He shut the door, then banged the top of the
car. As the driver backed out of the space, I opened
Granny’s voice mail message.
“Hey, Neely Kate. I’m not sure if I’m doin’ this
message thing right, but I’m gonna give it a try. You
said to let you know if anyone came lookin’ for
you, and right after you called, two people showed
up askin’ about you. They said they knew you from
Oklahoma. I told ’em to get the hell off my
property, and my shotgun helped convince them.”
Then she hung up.
If two people from Oklahoma had been lookin’
for me, I’d bet good money it was Branson and
Stella.
The man in the passenger seat glanced over at
me, and I realized he was the guard who had
prevented me from walking out of Jed’s house.
“We can plug your phone in to charge it if you’d
like.”
I almost told him no, but I’d left Jed’s charging
cord in his car, and I remembered that Joe had a
different type of phone. “Thanks.”
The driver headed north, toward Joe and Rose’s
farms. The car was stuffy, so I pulled off the hoodie
and laid it down in the seat next to me. The
movement of the car made me sleepy, yet I refused
to go to sleep with these two strange men,
especially since the driver kept sneaking glances at
me in the rearview mirror.
“Could you hand my phone back?” I asked, my
anxiety ratcheting.
“We’re almost to your destination, Ms. Rivers,”
said the guy in the passenger seat. “Why don’t you
take advantage of the time to charge it longer?”
He was right, but my instincts were pinging.
Something was wrong. I just didn’t know what. “I
need to text my brother to make sure he’s gonna be
there to meet us.”
He pulled it from the charger and handed it to
me.
“Thank you . . . what’s your name?” I asked.
“Chuck Miller.”
I took note of that. “Thank you, Mr. Miller.
And I appreciate you and your colleague going to
such lengths to protect me.”
“Just doin’ our job, miss,” the driver said.
“And what was your name?” I asked him.
“Justin Walsh, miss.”
I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or
concerned that they were so freely giving me their
names. I unlocked my phone and texted Jed.
How carefully did you screen these security
guards?
He texted back almost immediately.
Very. Do you feel unsafe?
I responded, I’m probably being paranoid.
You’re not paranoid. I’m on my way.
The turn off to Joe’s house was just up ahead
and Justin was slowing down to make the turn,
making me feel ridiculous.
Wait. I’m pulling into Joe’s farm. I’ll call you
when I get inside.
Love you, he sent back.
Love you too. I was never gonna get tired of
hearing Jed tell me he loved me, or of saying it
back.
Justin drove down the short road to Joe’s house,
pulling up in front, and I realized his car wasn’t
parked out front, though his sheriff’s car was. Both
men seemed to take notice. “Your brother’s a
sheriff deputy?”
“The chief deputy sheriff,” I said, hoping if
they were traitors, my brother’s position might
make them think twice. “Joe Simmons. Have you
heard of him?”
The two men shot each other a long look that
made me uncomfortable.
 “Thanks for the ride,” I said as I opened the
back door, digging deep in my purse for my keys as
I hopped out and shut the car door.
Chuck Miller opened his car door and got out,
hollering at me. “We’re supposed to walk you to
the door.”
“Sorry.” I was already on the steps and had my
keys in hand. “I won’t tell Jed if you don’t.”
The guard started to protest when my phone
rang, and Jed’s name popped up on the screen.
“Hey, Jed,” I said as I inserted Joe’s key into his
lock. “I was just about to call you. Mr. Miller and
Mr. Walsh just dropped me off, and I’m goin’ inside
Joe’s house.”
The doorknob unlocked, and I quickly pushed
the door open, giving them a wave goodbye, then
shut it behind me.
“What happened?” Jed asked.
I locked the door and set my purse on the floor
by the entrance of the dark house, purposely
leaving the lights off. “I think I’m just spooked.
They must have heard our conversation, because
one of them offered to charge my phone, and when
I asked for it back, he tried to convince me to leave
it be. See? I told you I was bein’ paranoid.”
 “But you’re at Joe’s now, right?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I peeked through the blinds of the
living room window and watched the security detail
car drive away. “And the security detail just left.”
“Let me talk to Joe.”
I held back a groan. “I thought we already had
that disagreement.”
“I want to ask him whether he’s still plannin’ on
goin’ to that benefit dinner.”
“Why don’t I get back to you on that?”
“Neely Kate. Put me on speaker if you’re
worried about how the conversation’s gonna go.”
Damn it. I was gonna have to confess. “He’s
not here.”
“What the hell do you mean he’s not there?” he
shouted.
“Jed, calm down. He said he was at Rose’s
house and that he was on his way.”
“I trusted him to be there.”
I trusted him too, and as paranoid as he was, I
couldn’t come up with a single good reason for him
not being here. My chest tightened. “I’ve gotta go.
I’m gonna call him.”
Thankfully, Jed hadn’t picked up on my anxiety.
“Call him, then call me back immediately. In the
meantime, I’m on my way.”
“Jed. Just wait until—”
I heard the ding of his car door. “This is not
debatable, Neely Kate. I’ll see you in ten minutes.”
“But it takes almost twenty to get here.”
“I’ll see you in ten,” he growled, then hung up.
“Twenty minutes is plenty of time,” a woman
said from the back of Joe’s living room.
I flipped the switch by the door, expecting to
see my sister.
I was very, very wrong.
Stella sat in Joe’s recliner, the footrest kicked
up and a gun pointed right at me. “Welcome to
your payback, bitch.”
 CHAPTER 26

“
S tella,” I gasped.
“Surprise,” she said in a singsong
voice as she pulled the lever to lower the footrest
and got to her feet. “Where’s Branson?”
My heart sank. “I don’t know.”
“That’s bullshit,” she spat out, then fired her
gun into the ceiling.
I involuntarily ducked down, my heart racing. I
had my gun at the small of my back, but she would
shoot me before I could get it out and point it at
her.
“That’s right, you bitch,” she said with a
sadistic laugh. “I’m in charge.”
I held my hands out at my sides. “You’re in
charge, Stella.”
“Damn straight.” She took a step toward me.
“Was that your man on the phone?”
“How did you get here?” I asked. There was no
car parked out front. Had she parked behind the
house?
“I asked you a damned question,” she snarled
as she moved closer, pointing the gun at my chest.
It was a .45 and the likelihood of me surviving a
shot to the chest this close was unlikely. Her eyes
were wild, clueing me in that she was high, and I
knew I had to tread lightly.
“Was that your man on the phone?” she
repeated.
“Yeah,” I said. “That was Jed.”
“He’s the one who butt his head into my
business, ain’t he?”
I shook my head, trying to keep it together. “I
don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”
“The fuck you don’t.” She pistol-whipped me in
the side of the head, dropping me to the floor.
“Answer the question, bitch.”
The room spun, and I felt like I was going to
throw up. I thought about trying to get my gun, but
I was too uncoordinated, and she was too close.
She’d shoot me before I even got it out of the
holster.
She kicked my side. “Answer me!”
“Yes,” I grunted out through the pain. “He
called DFS.”
I expected her to kick me again, but instead she
laughed. “Stupid bastard.”
I pushed to a sitting position, feeling hopeful
that Jed would be here sooner than Stella expected.
Hopefully Joe would show up even sooner.
A phone started to ring from across the room,
and I realized it was mine—I’d dropped it when
she’d hit me.
Stella wandered over to it and picked it up.
“Jed. The boyfriend.” She pressed a button on the
side, and it stopped ringing. “We’ll see him soon
enough. But we’ll have a chat before he gets here.
Where’s Branson?”
“I don’t know. When was the last time you saw
him?”
“Don’t play stupid with me, Neely Kate. I know
you took him, only you were wearin’ a wig.”
I shook my head, sending a shooting pain from
one temple to the other. “It wasn’t me. I didn’t
even know he was here in town.”
 “I never said he was kidnapped here, Neely
Kate. How’d you know we were here in town?”
Thankfully, my head was clearing. “Jed caught
wind of it. He heard Branson was out at the Broken
Branch Motel.” I paused, hoping I didn’t look too
suspicious. “Where was Branson taken?”
“At your farm, you stupid bitch. But then, you
know that already since you’re the one who took
him.”
“I didn’t take him. I swear. But I think I know
who did.”
“Who?” she asked, sounding suspicious.
“My sister.”
She snorted. “Now I know you’re lying. You
don’t have a sister.”
“I do,” I said, scooting backward. “She’s the
one who was in Ardmore before Christmas last year
askin’ around about me.”
That caught her off guard, and she seemed less
certain when she said, “You never had a sister.”
“I just found out about her,” I said. “Her father
had an affair with my mother. This is my half
brother’s house. Surely you know about him,” I
said. “You’re in his house.”
She gave me a confused look.
 “How’d you know to come to Joe’s house,
Stella?”
“Branson.”
Had Branson found out that Joe was my brother
and not told Stella? Why had he brought her to
Fenton County in the first place?
“I want the money,” she said. “Where is it?”
The money. Of course. Stella knew about the
money, which made her a loose end as far as
Branson was concerned. Had he hoped to pay her
off? “Jed has it,” I said, “but Kate has Branson.
Which one do you want?”
“I’m a greedy girl. I want both. How do we
contact your sister?”
Introducing Stella to Kate would be like tossing
gasoline onto a bonfire, but that could work in my
favor. “Her number’s on my phone.”
Stella tossed the phone toward me and it hit the
floor, skidding several feet away. “Call her but put
it on speaker.”
I leaned over and picked up the phone, grateful
it hadn’t broken. I unlocked the screen and pulled
up Kate’s number, with Stella close enough to
watch what I was doing.
“Let me see the name,” she said.
 I held up the phone, and she laughed when she
saw Kate’s name. “No love lost there, huh?” She
gestured toward me. “Make the call.”
I pressed send, my heart in my stomach when
the phone started to ring.
“Sister dearest,” Kate answered with a smug
tone. She sounded wide awake for it being in the
middle of the night. “Which of the many reasons
I’ve given you finally inspired you to call me?”
Many reasons? That didn’t sound good. “I’m
callin’ for a reason you probably didn’t expect. I
have Branson’s girlfriend here, and she wants to
see him.”
Kate began to laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Stella asked.
If Stella found out that Kate had castrated
Branson, she would likely pull the trigger on that
big gun that was still pointed at me. And I couldn’t
help thinking that would ruin Kate’s big plans.
“Kate, Stella is holding me at gunpoint and she’s a
bit touchy about wanting her man back.”
“She may not want him back after she sees
him.”
“What’s that mean?” Stella asked, getting
pissed.
 “It’s a surprise,” Kate said. “You’ll find out
soon enough. And I must say I’m disappointed you
haven’t discovered it already, Neely Kate. I left it
special for you.”
Bile rose in the back of my throat as I dropped
my gaze to the phone. “I found it.”
Kate laughed again.
“Enough!” Stella shouted, then kicked me, only
I was ready for her this time. Just as her foot was
about to connect with my ribs, I grabbed her ankle
and rolled to my side, bringing her down to the
floor.
The gun went off and I prayed I hadn’t gotten
shot, but plaster rained down on my head. She’d
shot the ceiling.
Stella was on her back, looking startled, but she
was still holding the gun. She quickly sat up and
pointed it at me again, her eyes full of rage.
“Neely Kate!” my sister shouted from my
phone that was on the floor again. I was surprised
to hear that she was slightly frantic.
“I’m here,” I said, lying on my side. I’d landed
right where she’d previously kicked me, fresh pain
shooting through my ribs. I still had my gun at my
back, but fat lot of good it did me right now.
 “Get up!” Stella shouted as she got to her feet.
“Get up, you stupid bitch!”
“How about we make a trade?” Kate said in her
negotiating tone, only her usual smugness was
missing. “I’ll give you Branson and you give me my
sister.”
“How much is she worth to you?” Stella asked.
“Is she worth a bag full of money?”
Kate was silent for a moment. “I don’t have a
bag full of money on me, but I can come up with
one when the bank opens.”
“Is that where the money is?” Stella asked in a
hateful tone. “In the bank?”
I wasn’t sure how to answer that. I’d just told
her that Jed had the money, but maybe she thought
I was lying. “She wants a specific bag of money,” I
called out to Kate.
“Money’s money, right?” Kate asked. “Bring
me my sister, and I’ll get you your money and
throw in this worthless scumbag as a bonus.”
Stella seemed to think about it. “How much
money?”
“How much money, Neely Kate?” my sister
asked.
I considered lying, but Stella likely knew how
much there was, and this would be a test to see how
much Kate wanted me. “Ten thousand dollars.”
“Done,” Kate said. “But the offer’s only good
for fifteen minutes. Come to Rose’s farmhouse.”
Then she hung up.
I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or nervous
that Kate was willing and eager to pay ten thousand
dollars for me.
“We need to take your car,” I said to Stella.
“Where is it?”
She gave me a sardonic grin. “How about we
take that sheriff’s car? We can turn on the lights. I
always wanted to do that.” Her hand started
twitching and she cast her gaze to the door as
though she was losing interest in our conversation.
“Even if I knew where the keys to the sheriff’s
patrol car were, there’s no way in Hades I’d drive
that thing. Kate would likely shoot us on sight.”
“Then you better get an extension because we
ain’t got a car.”
I stared at her in disbelief. “Then how’d you get
out here?”
“My car broke down, so I got an Uber. A tall,
skinny guy picked me up in a station wagon and
dropped me off.”
 Officer Ernie? He’d recently started driving for
Uber, and he fit the description of the driver. He
was incompetent as a police officer, and it sounded
like his lack of common sense had transferred to
this job too. He had to know this was Joe’s house.
“Then we’re gonna have to walk,” I said. “It’s a
five-minute stroll through the field, but we’ll need
to bring a flashlight. There’s too much cloud cover
to see where we’re going.”
Stella narrowed her eyes. “I ain’t hikin’ through
no field.”
That was actually a good thing. The longer we
stayed at Joe’s house, the better chance I had of
Jed getting here and stopping Stella.
But Stella must have figured that out too. “Or
we can wait for your boyfriend to show up. Then I
can shoot him, and we can take his car.”
Panic swamped my head. “He won’t be here in
time for us to get to Kate, and then you’ll be out
your money and Branson. We need to walk.”
“Why’re you so eager to help me get the money
and Branson?” she asked in an incredulous tone.
“Because the sooner you get them both, the
sooner you get out of my life.”
A huge grin spread across her face, showing the
gaps in her rotten teeth. Stella had plans for getting
me out of my life all right… or more specifically,
she had plans for me to leave hers eternally.
I wasn’t going down without a fight.
Time to put this in motion. When I got to my
feet, she started to twitch. I was making her
nervous. Five years ago, I never made her nervous,
but I wasn’t the same woman she’d known before
and she knew it, which made me a wild card. “We
need to go, Stella. I’m only moving things along.”
I started to put my phone in my pocket, but she
waved the gun at me.
“Uh-uh. Leave that here.”
When I started to squat, she said, “Nope. Toss it
down. It’s a piece of shit anyway.”
While she had a point, I reluctantly let it drop to
the hardwood floor. Jed was going to show up and
I’d be gone. How could I leave him a clue where to
find me?
“Where’s a flashlight in this damn house?”
“Under the sink,” I said, hoping she’d turn her
back to get it, giving me a chance to escape, but she
wasn’t high enough to make her that stupid.
“Walk over there and get it. Slowly.”
I had no choice but to do as she said. I also
began to wonder why Joe hadn’t shown up. Had he
figured out I was being held hostage and was biding
his time to save me? Something deep in my gut told
me Joe was close—at Rose’s farm. He’d been there
about to leave, and now Kate was there. Had she
snuck up on him, or was he spying on her?
Stella followed me like a shadow, staying far
enough out of reach to make me leery of jumping
her. When I opened the cabinet door and squatted
to get the flashlight, her gaze flicked inside the
cabinet for a split second then back to me. “What’s
that cord?”
I gave it a quick glance. “A bungee cord.”
“What’s he got a bungee cord in there for?”
Why did she even care? But I needed to keep
her talking. She’d always been more devious when
she was silent. “Joe was remodeling his kitchen,
and he had a cabinet that wouldn’t stay closed. He
kept bangin’ his head on it, so he used the bungee
cord to keep it closed until he fixed it.”
“And you say he’s your brother?” A gleam
filled her eyes, and I didn’t trust her one iota.
“Half brother.”
She waved the gun as though to dismiss the
clarifier. “Get the cord too.”
 I didn’t feel good about this and suspected
where this was going, and sure enough, when I got
to my feet, she said, “Put your hands together and
hold on to one end of the bungee cord.”
“Stella,” I said, trying to sound calmer than I
felt. “That isn’t necessary. You want Branson and
the money. I want to see my sister.”
She barked a short laugh. “Don’t even try to
pull that shit over my head, Neely Kate. Her name
on your phone is Evil Half Sister.”
“So we’re off to a rocky start…”
“I’ll say,” she grunted. “Put your hands
together, palms touchin’, or I’ll shoot your foot and
you’ll have a hell of a time walkin’ across a field on
a bloody stump.”
She was close enough to do serious damage,
and cold enough to do it without remorse. I had no
choice to do as she said, even if it burned in my gut.
Moving closer, she picked up the end of the
cord and started wrapping it around my wrists while
leveling the gun at my stomach. It was a short cord,
so it didn’t buy me much time to act while she was
of distracted, but I knew Jed had to be closer than
he’d been before and she wasn’t watching to
ambush him.
 “You’re not the same,” she said as she stretched
the cord tight and hooked it on the other loops, the
metal hook digging into my skin and drawing blood.
“You used to be meek and mild and—”
“Controllable,” I finished, burning with anger.
She laughed. “You’re still controllable. You just
have more attitude now. Now, how do we get to this
farm we’re going to?”
The cord was so tight I could feel it cutting off
circulation to my hands, but I suspected if I
complained, Stella would only make it tighter.
“Out back.” I nodded my head toward the back
door in the kitchen.
“Lead the way.” She gave me a hard shove.
I stumbled, nearly falling on my face, but I kept
on my feet until I reached the back door, then
leaned my shoulder into it to regain my footing.
“Don’t just stand there. Open the damn door.”
I reached for the knob, and turned it, my palms
slick with blood and sweat. When I got the door
open, Stella gave me another shove. “Go on now.”
I fell to my knees this time, the wood of the
small porch breaking my fall. The jarring made my
teeth crack.
She kicked me in the middle of my back,
sending me tumbling down the two wooden steps to
the muddy yard. My shoulder landed in a puddle. It
had started to rain again, and raindrops hit my
cheek as I looked up into the sky, assessing my
damage. While I hurt all over, my jeans had
protected my legs, and my arms seemed fine except
for an ache on my right bicep. My right shoulder
had taken the brunt of it, but I was sure it wasn’t
broken.
Stella stood over me, her gun pointed in my
face, and the light from the still-open kitchen door
illuminated the hate in her eyes. “Not so high and
mighty now, are ya?”
“High and mighty?” I choked out, my anger
consuming me. “It’s hard to be high and mighty
when you’re on your back, lettin’ man after man
screw you.”
Arrogance filled her eyes and she pulled her
shoulders back. “Then you weren’t doin’ it right.
Now get up.”
I tried to sit up, but my bound hands made it
awkward.
Stella kicked my bruised shoulder, making me
cry out in pain as I fell flat on my back, the back of
my head sinking slightly into a soft patch of ground.
 She stood over me again, her feet straddling my
sides. I could have tried to knock her off balance,
but the gun pointed at my chest stopped me.
“Look at you and your new life—livin’ in high
cotton. You done forgot about your friends.”
“Friends?” I spat out. “You were no friend. You
sat back and let Branson sell me to man after man.
You became my jailer too.”
She laughed. “Let him? Honey, it was my idea.”
I gasped, and joy and satisfaction filled her
eyes. “No one gives me enough credit, but I made a
bundle off you. Seventy-thirty cut. I only got thirty,
but Branson was doin’ the hard part of dealin’ with
you.”
The woman standing over me was pure evil, so
I wasn’t sure why I was surprised at her admission,
yet I was.
She was loving every second of it.
“Now get up,” she sneered, swinging her leg
over me and backing up. “The clock’s tickin’.”
I rolled to my side and pushed up on my bound
hands and knees, then to my feet.
“Which way?” she asked.
“We have to walk closer to the road. There’s a
path through the fields over there.”
 “If this is some kind of trick, I won’t hesitate to
shoot you in the back, Neely Kate. Just like you
stabbed me in mine.”
I could have challenged that statement, but I
didn’t want to antagonize her any more than I
already had. Instead, I headed toward the front of
the house.
“Uh-uh,” she grunted. “You said through the
fields, so we’ll stick close to them.”
Reluctantly, I headed toward the edge of the
hayfield, thirty feet behind Joe’s house.
“How far away is the path?” she asked behind
me, shining the flashlight beam at my feet.
“A couple hundred feet.” I stepped into a divot
in the ground and stumbled. “Can you shine that
where I’m walkin’?”
“If you know this property so well, then you
don’t need it, do you?”
We walked in silence and I could see the path
up ahead, across from the pen that held the
farmer’s fainting goats. As we grew closer to the
path, I heard a car engine coming down the lane,
the barest gleam of headlights in the distance.
Jed.
But Stella heard it too and gave me a hard
shove in the back. “Where’s that path?”
“Up ahead.”
“Let me make this clear. You won’t be standin’
here to greet your man when he drives by, whether
it be because you’re dead or we’re walkin’ on that
path. Now which is it gonna be?”
I started to answer, but she shoved me again,
turning off her flashlight as she pushed me down to
the ground next to the field, flat on my stomach.
Then she dropped down and lay down next to me
with the gun digging into my waist.
“You better hope he doesn’t see us.”
The car grew closer, the headlight beams
brighter now. I held my breath as they hit the road
next to us, and I wasn’t sure what to pray for—Jed
seeing me or not.
But his car drove right on past and as he was
approaching the house, Stella got to her feet, and
dragged me up too. “Let’s go.”
The path was a good twenty feet away, but she
could see the opening now and prodded me along.
Once we were down the path a ways, she flipped
her flashlight back on.
“Lead the way,” she said.
The rain had made the hard-packed earth slick
and muddy, slowing us down. We walked in silence
for several long seconds, then it hit me that sound
traveled out here. Jed might hear us talking, or at
least enough snatches of conversation to
investigate.
“What do you plan to do with the money?” I
asked.
“What do you care?” she snorted.
I stumbled again, falling to my knees, which
sank into mud.
She shoved the gun barrel into my back. “Get
up.”
When I didn’t immediately respond, she said,
“You know I don’t necessarily need you anymore.
I’m on the path. I have a flashlight to get there. I
could shoot you now and have one less pain in the
ass to deal with.”
I had no doubt that she would. “Don’t forget
that Kate wants me alive. I suspect she won’t give
you any money if I’m dead.”
“What’s she want you so bad for?” Stella
asked, jerking me to my feet. Then she added with
plenty of spite, “Why does everyone in the
goddamned world want you?”
I didn’t know any good way to answer that, so I
said nothing as I started walking, hoping to end this
trek, but dreading what was to come.
 CHAPTER 27

T he house was dark when we broke

through the field, but I could see the
edge of Joe’s car by the front porch.
“Now what?” Stella mumbled, and I wasn’t
sure if she was talking to herself or to me. But she
gave me another hard shove, dropping me to my
knees for the umpteenth time. My knees were so
bruised the ache was shooting down my shins, but it
was my hands that hurt the worst. The circulation
had been severely limited and they throbbed.
“Get up!” she shouted.
Apparently Stella didn’t believe in stealthy
entrances to showdowns.
“I’d thank you for bein’ a bit gentler with my
sister,” Kate called out into the darkness.
Stella’s head jerked from side to side. “Where is
she? I don’t see her.”
“The barn, from the sound of it,” I said.
“Where are you?” Stella asked, grabbing my T-
shirt in the middle of my back and hauling me to
my feet, using me as a shield.
“Neely Kate’s right,” Kate shouted. “I’m in the
barn, and you’re two minutes late. I’m gonna have
to deduct a couple grand for that.”
Stella pointed her big gun at my temple. “Then
I’m gonna have to blow your sister’s brains out.”
“You do that, and I won’t pay you a dime and
you’ll find Branson in the exact same condition.”
Kate took a second, then said, “How about you
come collect your money and your man, I’ll get my
sister, and then you can be on your merry way.”
“I thought you said you didn’t have the
money,” Stella shouted.
Kate moved into the opening of the slightly ajar
barn door. “Do you want the money or not?” Then
she disappeared back inside.
“I don’t trust her,” Stella said, pushing me in
that direction nevertheless. She slid the gun around
my head then down to the middle of my back,
making sure I never had a moment to jump her.
“What about Crystal?” I asked, trying to shift
my hands, but the new position made the pain even
worse. “Where does she fit into all of this?”
“Why do you care so much about that baby?”
she asked. “Babies are a way to make a man give
you money or give you want you want, preferably
both.”
“Are you gonna go get her after you get the
money?”
“Why do you care so much?” she asked, her
voice full of suspicion. Then as we marched across
the large backyard, up the slight incline to the barn,
she said, “Does this have anything to do with your
abortion?” She laughed. “Do you know how easy it
was to make you think it was a good idea?”
Tears stung my eyes. I’d been so, so stupid.
“Branson would have come after the baby.”
She released a bitter laugh. “Branson wouldn’t
have given a shit about that baby. He doesn’t give a
shit about Crystal. But he sure does give a shit
about you. He made a buttload off you and
couldn’t have sold you for as much if your gut was
big with a baby.”
“He couldn’t have given much of a shit about
me if he sold me to Pearce Manchester. Branson
had to know he was gonna kill me.” We were about
twenty feet from the barn.
“It was a calculated risk,” Stella said. “You
were his in with Hardshaw.”
Kate appeared in the doorway again, tilting her
head to the side as she studied my kidnapper’s face.
“Aren’t you a complicated woman, Stella St.
Clair?”
“How do you know who I am?” Stella asked in
shock.
“I know many things. Come inside and we’ll
discuss them.” She pushed the barn door wider and
turned her back to us, walking back inside.
“She doesn’t have a gun,” Stella murmured.
“She can’t be much of a threat.”
“Kate’s so evil she doesn’t always need a gun,”
I said, hoping to spook here and the way she
tensed, I was pretty sure it had worked.
Stella pushed me inside and I blinked as my
eyes adjusted to this new darkness. Kate had a
kerosene lantern set up on a rung of the ladder up
to the empty loft. Branson was lying in the trough
in the back corner, his legs bound at the ankles and
his hands bound in front of him. His mouth was tied
with a gag and a wild look filled his eyes.
Joe sat on a kitchen chair, about ten feet to the
left of Branson, several feet from the open back
door. I knew the woods at the back of Rose’s
property were about ten feet behind the barn.
Joe’s eyes caught mine, but he didn’t say
anything. The concern on his face was
communication enough. His legs were tied to the
legs of the chair and his arms were bound behind
him. A trail of blood ran down his face from his
right temple, and his left eye was swollen. While
Kate was capable of many things, beating up Joe
likely wasn’t one of them.
“Where’s your bodyguard?” I asked with plenty
of attitude. “I’m pretty sure you couldn’t have
managed this on your own.”
Kate laughed as she moved next to the ladder.
“You’re right. I’m not capable of beating up men
like you are. My strengths lie in other areas.” She
rested her hand on the ladder, and I realized all it
would take would be one good shake of the rickety
thing to knock the lantern over.
I’d been right—Kate didn’t always need a gun.
But I was sure she still had one close.
“Where’s my money?” Stella asked, grabbing
hold of my hair at the nape of my neck and pointing
her gun at my temple again.
My heart raced. Stella would think nothing of
pulling that trigger, especially now that she was
here.
“Don’t you want to say hello to your man?”
Kate asked, then snickered.
“What’s so funny?” Stella asked.
Branson shouted into his gag, his words
unintelligible, but it was obvious he was terrified or
pissed. Probably both.
Kate gave her a Cheshire cat grin. “You’ll find
out soon enough. Let’s talk business first. Kyle.
Bring in the bag.”
A man who looked to be in his thirties appeared
in the open back door, carrying a small black bag.
He was dressed all in black, and the muscles on his
arms and the look in his eyes screamed, Don’t mess
with me.
“Set it on the floor.”
Kyle did as he was told, then stepped back.
“Stella,” Kate said in a dry tone. “I want my
sister. You want Branson and money. There’s a bag
of money on the floor. Take it and go.”
“Not so fast,” Stella said, gripping my hair even
tighter, making me release an involuntary gasp.
“How much money’s in there? Ten minutes ago,
you said you didn’t have it.”
“That was before I realized I was workin with
such a shrewd negotiator,” Kate said. “I just broke
out of a psych ward. You think I’m going around
the state using a credit card? Of course I have
cash.”
Stella cocked her head, looking around me.
“How much?”
“Five grand. If you don’t believe me, see for
yourself.”
Stella hesitated, then started to advance toward
the bag, dragging me along with her.
“Let go of my sister,” Kate said, sounding
almost like she was bored.
“I don’t think so,” Stella said, tugging on my
hair.
I released another involuntary cry.
“This is your last warning,” Kate said in a cold
hard voice. “Let go of my sister or I’ll have Kyle
shoot Branson.”
Stella stopped and turned to glance back at
Branson. He was struggling with his restraints and
crying out every time he moved, and his eyes were
pleading with Stella to save him.
“Fine,” Stella grunted, then gave me a hard
shove toward the front barn door, keeping the gun
pointed at me. “But she stays over there.”
“That works for now,” Kate said with a slight
grin, and I knew she had something devious
planned.
Stella dropped to her knees, struggling to unzip
the bag and keep the gun pointed at me.
“Need help?” Kate asked with a smirk. “How
about I have Branson come over to assist?”
Stella gave her a suspicious glare. “Why would
you do that?”
“As a sign of my goodwill. Kyle.” She gestured
toward Branson.
The beefy guy stalked over to Branson, crossing
in front of Joe, who was watching me like a hawk
and likely trying to figure out how to get us out of
this.
Kyle stopped next to the trough, and Branson
shrank back, his body quaking with fear. Kate’s
henchman grabbed Branson’s arm and yanked him
out of the basin, none too gently, and dumped him
on his feet.
Branson cried out in pain, tears streaming down
his face as Kyle bent down to cut the zip ties at his
ankles.
“Why’re his jeans all dark like that?” Stella
asked, pointing to his crotch. “Did he piss himself?”
I stared at Joe in horror, wondering if he knew
why Branson’s crotch was stained. The look in his
eyes told me he did.
The only person in the room who didn’t know
was Stella, and Kate was playin’ her like a fiddle.
“Go on, Branson,” Kate said. “Big tough man.
Go unzip the bag. Just like I unzipped your jeans.”
Stella’s eyes grew wild. “You screwed her?”
Branson’s eyes flew wide and he vigorously
shook his head, screaming his undecipherable
words into his gag. He stumbled forward, clearly in
pain, but Stella was too busy with her jealous fit to
notice.
All I could do was watch in horror.
“I’m gonna kill you, Branson Desoto!” Stella
shouted, and then she smashed him on top of the
head with her gun.
Branson crumpled to the ground.
Stella quickly trained her gun back on me, and I
realized I’d missed an opportunity to escape. Only I
never would have left Joe in this mess. We were in
this together.
“Temper, temper,” Kate mocked. “Now who’s
gonna open that bag, Stella?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Neely Kate’ll do it.”
“No,” Kate said in a firm tone. “Neely Kate’s
mine now. In fact, you’re free to collect your things
and go.”
“I don’t even know if there’s money in there,”
Stella said. “You think I’m gonna leave with no
money?”
Branson was sobbing, begging Stella with
muffled cries.
“Did I hear you and Neely Kate correctly?”
Kate asked. “Do you have a baby?”
Stella sneered, “What’s it to you?”
Kate moved closer to me. “Neely Kate and I
might be new to the sister thing, but she and I share
a bond—our lost babies.” Cocking her head, Kate
narrowed her eyes. “Did you force Neely Kate to
have an abortion?”
“She didn’t fight me on it,” Stella said
defensively while trying to unzip the bag. “What’s
the big deal?”
“The big deal, Stella,” Kate said, drawing out
her words. “The big deal is that the monster next to
you made it so my little sister can never get
pregnant again, and if anyone was ever designed to
have children, it’s her.”
I stared at Kate in disbelief.
Stella looked downright confused. “Branson
had nothing to do with the abortion. It was all my
idea. He just went along with it, so how can it be
his fault?”
“No, Stella,” Kate said as though she were
speaking to a toddler. “Branson sold her to so many
men that she became riddled with infections, and
he never bothered to get her medical attention. Her
body is so scarred it made her lose her babies this
past winter, and now she’ll never get pregnant.”
I turned to her in shock. How did she know all
of that? But then, it was Kate. She found a way to
know everything. Including this particular horror in
my life.
“You took something very precious from my
sister, and now I have to take something precious
from you.” Gesturing toward Branson and Stella
with her chin, she said, “Kyle.”
A gunshot rang out, and I expected to see
Branson lying dead on the barn floor, but instead,
Stella was screaming as she clutched her bloody
right hand to her chest, her gun now on the floor.
“Neely Kate, go pick up the gun,” Kate said.
“Undo that bungee cord first,” Joe called out,
speaking for the first time. “It’s cutting off the
circulation to her hands. She’ll never be able to
pick it up like that.”
Kate turned her attention to Joe. “Ah… there
he is. The doting big brother. It’s a good look for
you.”
Joe gave her a pleading look. “I’ve been a
terrible brother, Kate, I freely admit it, but it’s not
Neely Kate’s fault. She’s the innocent party in all of
this. Branson and Stella included. Why put her
through more hell?”
“I know she’s suffered, and I realized that was
how I could win her love. By giving her a chance to
get even.”
“What are you talking about, Kate?” I asked in
horror.
“That man—” Kate pointed her finger at
Branson, then laughed. “No, he’s not a man
anymore, is he? I did that for you, NK. I did that to
show my solidarity.”
“I didn’t ask you to do that, Kate,” I choked
out.
 “You didn’t have to. That’s what sisters and
brothers are supposed to do for one another, right?”
“I don’t know,” I said in a shaky voice. “I’ve
never had them.” I had absolutely no idea what
Kate had planned for me and Joe, and I was utterly
terrified. A tear fell down my cheek.
Kate moved closer, cupping my cheek. I would
have felt more reassured if her eyes were wild and
skittish like Stella’s, but Kate was completely in
control. “Don’t cry, little sis. I’m gonna make
things right for you in a way Joe would never dare
to try.” She looked down at my hands. “I’m going
to take that off, but I want you to swear you won’t
run away.”
I shot a glance to Joe then back to Kate. I could
play this game too. “I’m not goin’ anywhere. We’re
blood, Kate. And blood sticks together.”
Kate shot a smug glance over her shoulder to
Joe. “See? She gets it.”
I’d figure out a way to save Joe, but one thing
at a time.
Kate reached for the bungee cord and
unhooked it, quickly unwrapping the bindings. She
turned to face Stella, her eyes burning with rage
when she saw the blood on my wrist and palms.
“You hurt my sister.”
“She hurt me. She tried to have my baby taken
away from me.”
“From what I can see, you deserve to have your
baby taken away.” Dropping the bungee cord to the
floor, Kate took my right wrist in her hand and
slowly began to rub, then picked up the other and
did the same thing, all while everyone in the room
watched, Stella included. I suspected she was
scared to move lest Kyle shoot her. All I could do
was stand there, trying not to tense up and make
her mad. I had no idea what Kate was up to now,
but I wasn’t about to set her off.
Finally, Kate gently lowered my hand, then
turned to face Stella. “What to do with you?”
“We’ll just take the money and go,” Stella said,
her voice shaking.
“No,” Kate said thoughtfully. “That particular
offer has been removed from the table. I think we’ll
have our trial now.”
“Trial?” Stella asked, scooting backward.
“What trial?”
“Your trial. The Simmons family now calls the
trial against Stella St. Clair to order.”
“That’s not your right,” Joe said. “You can’t be
her judge and jury, Kate. You have to turn them
over to the law.”
Kate pivoted to face him. “And were you going
to turn our sister over to the law for Pearce
Manchester’s murder?”
I gasped, unsure why I was so shocked. The
clippings on the wall in Branson’s motel room
should have been clue enough that she knew what
was going on.
“No,” Joe barked out, “but—”
“But nothing,” Kate said. “I agree, we don’t
turn her over. We protect her, because that’s what
family does, Joe. They take care of one another.”
“Now you sound like Dad,” Joe said. “He
justified everything in the name of family. But look
where that got you and me. My girlfriend murdered
along with my baby. Your boyfriend murdered and
a car wreck that made you miscarry. That’s not
looking out for family. That’s meddling in things
that you shouldn’t. He destroyed our lives.”
“Takin’ care of this trash isn’t even close to the
same thing, and you know it,” she countered.
“These two put her through hell.”
“You’ve put her through hell, Kate. How is it
different for you?”
 “I’m her blood!” she shouted. “I did it to make
her stronger! To make her worthy of our name!”
“You’re batshit crazy!” Stella shouted, her shirt
covered in the blood from her hand.
Kate turned deadly still. “What did you just
say?”
“I said you’re batshit crazy!”
Kate squatted and picked up the bungee cord.
“You think I’m crazy?”
“Kate,” I said, terrified over what she was
about to do. “Don’t do this.”
“No, NK. I need to do this. I need to prove to
you that I have your back.”
“By killing Neil Franken and leaving him in my
basement with a note? And then leaving those notes
and the PI reports in Chad Manchester’s hotel
room? Why toy with me like that, Kate?”
“If I’d just approached you and told you I
wanted to make things right, would you have given
me the time of day?”
“I wouldn’t have trusted you.”
“Exactly,” Kate said, taking several more steps
toward Stella. “So I had to show you. You know
what they say.” She stopped behind Stella and gave
me a grin. “Actions speak louder than words.”
Then she looped the bungee cord around Stella’s
neck and lifted.
Stella grabbed at the cord, trying to get her
fingers underneath, but Kate just lifted higher.
“Kate!” I screamed. “Stop!”
I started to rush over to stop her, but Kate
glared at me and said, “Stay where you are, Neely
Kate. Kyle will stop you from interfering.”
“You’re committing cold-blooded murder!” Joe
shouted, rocking the chair as he pulled himself free.
“Stop!”
Stella’s face turned red as she gasped for air,
leaving scratches at her neck in her attempts to pull
free of the cord.
“Kate,” I begged. “Stop. Please.” I still had the
gun at my back, but I could barely feel my fingers.
There was no way I could get it out and pull the
trigger.
Kate held my gaze. “As your older sister, I
know what’s best for you, NK. Trust me.”
“I don’t want this, Kate.” Then I decided to try
a new tactic. “You said she’d get a trial. Let’s give
her a trial.”
“Trial or not, we’d reach the same conclusion.
Guilty.”
 Stella tried to turn sideways and reach for
Kate’s leg, but Kate pulled even higher and
extended her arm, keeping her legs out of Stella’s
reach.
“She was the one who started you on your road
to hell. She got you started stripping. She
introduced you to that piece of trash over there.
They sold you to man after man after man.”
Stella’s arms fell to her sides and her eyes
darted to me, begging me to help her.
I took a step forward and Kyle was beside me
in an instant, grabbing my arm to hold me back.
Kate continued as though she was unaware that
Stella only had seconds to live. “And then they set
you up with Pearce Manchester. Branson knew
he’d likely kill you, but you were worth the risk. All
so he could hook up with the Hardshaw Group.
They were gonna pay him a shit-ton of money, and
he was gonna keep givin’ Manchester girls to beat
and screw. And you, Stella St. Clair, are just as
guilty as he is.”
Kate looked down and shrugged, dropping the
bungee cord.
Stella slumped to the floor, her eyes wide open
but she was clearly dead.
 “Joe,” I said through my tears.
“Kate,” Joe said in a calm voice. “You’re
scaring our baby sister.”
“The Simmons world is ugly,” Kate said as she
walked around Stella’s dead body toward Branson,
who was trying to crab-walk away from her. “She
needs to learn that now.” She propped a hand on
her hip and stared down at the man who’d made
my life hell. “Where do you think you’re going?”
Branson looked up at her in terror, mumbling
into his gag.
She reached down, jerked the cloth from
around his head, and removed the handkerchief in
his mouth. “You were sayin’ something?”
“I’m sorry,” he said through his tears. “I’m
sorry I hurt her.”
“Hurt her?” Kate said. “You destroyed her.”
He started sobbing. “Please. I’m sorry.”
“You’re only sorry because you got caught,”
Kate said. “You hunted her down like a rabbit, all
so you could get that bag of money.”
“I don’t want it anymore,” he said through
hiccupping sobs. “She can have it.”
“That’s right,” Kate said. “She can have it. She
earned that money.” She looked up at me. “But you
owe her more than ten thousand dollars. So much
more.”
“I’ll get it,” he said. “I swear.”
“You swear,” Kate said with a mock frown. “I
don’t believe you, Branson.”
“Kate,” Joe said in a stern voice. “Enough.”
“No,” Kate said. “It’s not enough until justice
has been served.”
“It’s not up to you to mete out justice,” Joe
countered.
Kate gave him a thoughtful look. “Joe. You’re
right.” Her gaze shifted to me. “Neely Kate, you
need to be the one to kill him.”
I shook my head in horror. “No.”
“Kate!” Joe shouted.
“Enough,” Jed called out from the shadows by
the front door. “There won’t be any more killing
tonight.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Kate said.
“Kyle.”
Still holding my arm, Kyle pulled out a gun and
fired off several rounds at the doorway.
“No!” I screamed, trying to break free from his
hold. “Jed!”
Kate walked over to me and grabbed my face
with both hands. “Neely Kate. It’s the price you
have to pay to be a Simmons. You lose the love of
your life. You lose a baby. We have to get rid of
Jed.”
I could feel myself sinking deep within myself,
retreating from the pain and horror, but I wasn’t
that girl anymore. I was a fighter now.
Sucking in a breath, I jerked my arm, breaking
free of Kate’s henchman, and glared up at my
sister. “No. I’ve paid and paid and paid, and I
refuse to give up anything else,” I said in a deadly
cold voice. “Do you hear me?”
Kate took a step backward and began to slow
clap. “Good job, little sis. Look at you, growin’ a
backbone.”
“I’ve had one. You failed to notice.” I advanced
toward her. “I refuse to give up one more person I
love. I refuse.” Was Jed out there injured and
bleeding? Was he dead? I couldn’t bring myself to
consider it.
I stomped toward Joe and knelt down at his feet
and started to untie his ankle, thankful I could feel
my hands again.
“I never said you could untie him,” Kate said,
her voice rising.
 “Well, I decided he needs to be free.” I got one
leg loose and started on the other. “You say we’re
family, well family doesn’t treat each other like
this.” I got Joe’s second leg untied, then stood and
moved behind him and started on his hands.
“Family treats each other with love and respect.” I
looked up at her stunned face. “Family supports
one another, Kate. I would do anything to go back
and save your boyfriend. So how dare you try to
kill mine!”
When I got Joe free, he shook out his hands and
stood, keeping me behind him. “Kate. I want to
help you.”
“We want to help you,” I said, moving to Joe’s
side. I was dangerously close to tears, knowing that
Jed might be dead on the other side of the barn
door, but I couldn’t think about that right now. I
had to deal with Kate first.
“No,” she said in a cold tone. “You and Joe
want to help each other.”
“I wasn’t lyin’ when I said I wanted a sister,” I
said. “And I do think you’re trying to show me that
you want to be a sister to me too, but not this way,
Kate. Not this way.”
She studied us both. “Maybe Joe’s the problem.
Maybe you and I would be closer if he wasn’t
around.”
A phone began to ring, and she pulled it from
out of her pocket. “What do you have?”
I moved in front of my brother and looked up at
him, whispering, “Joe, you have to go.”
A fire filled his eyes as he kept watch on Kate,
who was listening intently on her call. “I’m not
leavin’ you, Neely Kate.”
“She’s done all of this for me, Joe. She wants to
be closer to me. She won’t hurt me.”
“You’re like a shiny toy. She wants you until
you become inconvenient.” A fierceness filled his
eyes. “I’m sure as hell not leaving you here with
her.”
“I’m not leavin’ you either, but I need you to
check on Jed.” My voice broke. “I can’t lose him.”
“Carlisle’s like a cockroach. He’s not that easy
to kill.” I could have taken offense, but he said it
with a grin. “And besides, that man loves you
somethin’ fierce. He won’t let himself get killed
before he makes sure you’re safe.” His gaze held
mine . “I’m gonna protect you, Neely Kate, but I
suspect Carlisle’s out there, planning on protecting
you too.”
 “What are you two talking about so intently?”
Kate asked.
I turned around to face her, reaching behind my
back and grabbing the gun, but I made it look
casual. “I want you to let Branson go, and Joe too.
This is about you and me, Kate. Sister bonding. Let
them go.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “Let them go? Just like
that?”
I kept my hand behind my back. “Yes.”
“I agree. We should let Branson go.” She turned
to her bodyguard. “Kyle. Dispose of Branson.”
A gunshot went off and Branson slumped to the
floor with a bullet to his head.
“Do you still want me to let go of Joe?” she
asked in a cold tone.
“You’d kill your own brother?” I asked in
disbelief.
“Kyle,” Kate said.
Before he could point his gun, I lifted mine and
pulled the trigger. Then I realized what I’d done
and began to shake as Kyle slumped to the floor,
dead.
Kate stared at me in disbelief. “Look at you,
Miss Backbone,” she said with a glint in her eye.
 “I won’t let you hurt him.”
“Kate,” Joe said, approaching her. “It’s over.”
She shook her head. “It’s not over. Not until I
say it is.” She lifted her brow. “You gonna shoot
me, Neely Kate? You gonna shoot your unarmed
sister?”
“I just want this to be over, Kate,” I pleaded.
“Then you’re gonna want to let me go.”
“Why the hell would she let you go?” Jed
asked, walking into the barn with blood on his
shoulder.
“Jed.” I sucked in a breath, but Joe held up a
hand to stop me.
Jed ignored us both. “You’ve made Neely
Kate’s life hell. You’ve done nothin’ but play games
with her for weeks. Why in the hell would we let
you go?”
“Neely Kate’s not free just because these two
nitwits are dead. Hardshaw knows something about
her and they’ll be back.”
“What do you know about Hardshaw?” Jed
asked.
“Enough to know she’s in trouble.” Kate turned
to me. “That phone call I received—it’s about
them. I’ve done my own investigation.”
 “We’ve got Adkins,” Joe said. “We’ll get
information out of him. He says he’s willing to
talk.”
“Had Adkins,” Jed said. “I just got word they
found him hanging from a sheet in his cell.”
Joe cursed.
“You’re back to square one,” Kate said. “I’m
the only one who knows why they really want her.
And why they want the money.”
“Why don’t you just tell us, Kate?” Joe asked.
“Why all the drama?”
“If I tell you, you’ll lock me up.”
“If you think we’re letting you go, you’ve got
another think coming.”
Jed shifted his weight. “Is Neely Kate in
immediate danger?”
“She doesn’t know anything,” Joe said. “She’s
playin’ you.”
Kate pointed to Stella. “Did I get any of her
story wrong? What about Branson’s?”
My stomach churned. “No.”
“I’m really good at findin’ out things.” She gave
Jed a seductive look. “Just like you.”
“Then tell me what you know,” Jed said. “And
I’ll find out the rest.”
 “We could go together,” she said, smiling coyly.
Jed looked unimpressed. “After you just tried to
have me killed?”
But I knew he’d go with her. If that’s what it
took to protect me. My stomach sank. I had to stop
him.
Kate gave me a long look. “I’d take you in a
heartbeat, sexy, but my sister.” She shrugged.
“She’s more important.”
I couldn’t have been more surprised than if
she’d announced she was running off to a convent
to become a nun.
Jed’s jaw clenched, and he lowered his gun to
his side. “Go.”
Joe flipped his lid. “What the hell are you
doin’, Carlisle?”
Turning his hardened gaze on my brother, Jed
said, “I told you that I’d do whatever it takes to
save Neely Kate. Even this.”
“No!” I protested. “We’re not letting her go!
She just killed two people in cold blood. She killed
Neil Franken and who knows who else. We’re not
lettin’ her go.”
“Is Neely Kate safe for now?” Joe asked,
directing his question to our sister in a solemn tone.
 Kate’s eyes glittered with triumph. “For now,
but they’re gonna put things together. I can stall
that for a bit.”
“How in the hell can you do that?” Joe asked.
Some of her smugness faded. “Maybe you
should ask yourself where I went for two years
after I left Little Rock.”
They stared at each other for several long
seconds. Then Joe closed the distance between us
and lowered my gun. “Go.”
I turned to him in disbelief. “What?”
“We’re still pinning these murders on you,
Kate,” Joe said, ignoring my protest. “What
happened to Franken?”
If Kate felt relieved, she didn’t let on. She acted
like she’d been expecting us to set her free all
along. Then again, she probably had. “He’ll turn up
tomorrow. Everyone will think it was Adkins.”
“And Chad Manchester?” Joe asked.
She shrugged. “Franken killed him. He
confessed after Kyle and I had let him enjoy some
of our hospitality.” A slow grin spread across her
face. “That’s how we found out about his hotel
room.”
“And Branson and Stella?” Jed asked.
 She rolled her eyes. “Please. Once those two
decided to loosen their tongues, they wouldn’t shut
up.”
Joe and Jed stood in silence. I couldn’t believe
they were actually agreeing to this.
“So we agree to a truce?” Kate asked. “To save
Neely Kate.”
Jed gave a sharp nod. Then they both turned to
Joe.
“Don’t do this, Joe,” I said. “Don’t let her go.”
Joe turned his head slightly as he studied me.
“Agreed.”
For a split second, I thought he’d agreed with
me, but he crossed the room and approached our
sister. “I want updates. I need to…” He cast a
glance to Jed. “We need to know if you see an
immediate danger to her.”
“I will,” she said.
Then as if they were all in agreement, she
headed for the barn door.
All I could see was Stella’s face as Kate
strangled her. I couldn’t believe we were just
turning her loose to wreak her havoc on the
unsuspecting world, all in the name of saving me.
My life wasn’t worth the price.
 I lifted my weapon and took a step forward.
“No. You’re not leavin’.”
Kate pivoted to face me, a broad smile
spreading across her face. “Go ahead, NK. Pull the
trigger, because that’s the only way I’m stayin’.”
When a shot didn’t ring out, a knowing look
filled her eyes.
“Don’t feel bad, little sis. Self-preservation is a
strong trait, especially with the Simmonses.” Then
she turned and walked out the door without so
much as a final glance at her dead henchman.
As I watched her leave, I knew I’d sunk to a
new low.
Maybe I was a Simmons after all.
 CHAPTER 28

A s soon as Kate left, Jed and Joe concocted

a story to tell the sheriff’s deputies once
they arrived. They planned to say that I’d been
home when two people I’d known from Oklahoma
showed up, begging for money. Stalling, I’d told
them there was money buried out in the barn, and
to our surprise, Kate had been there hiding out.
Outraged that they were holding me hostage, she
killed both of them after Branson had killed Kyle;
then Joe had shown up and Kate had escaped in all
the craziness. The fact that Jed wiped the gun free
of my prints and placed the gun in Brandon’s hand
fired into the barn wall helped corroborate the
story.
 Both men had agreed that Jed couldn’t be
anywhere around, and Jed had reluctantly left
before Joe made the call to the sheriff’s
department, but only after he’d held me and
checked me over for wounds. Fortunately, the
blood on his shoulder hadn’t been from a gunshot
wound, but instead was a gash he’d gotten from
splintered wood shot off the barn door.
Ultimately, the deputies bought the story, but
around daybreak, Mason turned up, wanting to find
out what happened for himself.
“Where’s Rose?” he asked when Joe and I had
intercepted him halfway between the house and the
barn.
“Gone,” I said.
“Why wasn’t she here with you? I can’t believe
she’d leave you alone in that house with Kate on
the loose.”
“I was spending the night with Neely Kate,” Joe
said, “but I got called away.”
“Away for what?” Mason asked.
Joe’s eyes turned to pinpricks. “Official sheriff
business.”
“Care to enlighten me what you were called
away to? Last I heard, you took yesterday off.”
 “In case you hadn’t heard, Deveraux,” Joe
ground out through gritted teeth, “a lot happened in
the county yesterday, and as we both know, a day
off is never really possible in this profession, and
you can bet your ass I was checking on things since
my little sister’s involved.”
“I still find it hard to believe you’d leave Neely
Kate alone,” Mason pressed. “And in the middle of
the night. Seems risky.” Then he added, “Even for
you.”
Joe’s left eye twitched, and it had nothing to do
with the glare of the rising sun. “What are you
gettin’ at?”
Mason gave a half shrug. “Nothing. It just
seems like you’d make sure your sister was better
protected.”
“Here to rub salt in my wounds?”
“Just makin’ an observation,” he said, glancing
up at the barn. “Funny how Kate was just hanging
out in there. What do you suppose she was waiting
for?”
“The hell if I know,” Joe said. “Why don’t you
ask her yourself?”
“You know.” Mason shifted his weight. “I
would have if you’d apprehended her.”
 I didn’t see this conversation improving.
“Mason,” I said. “It’s been a long night. Care to
walk me back to the house?”
“Of course,” he said in a gentle tone, wrapping
an arm around my shoulders and leading me to the
back door. “How are you doin’ with all of this,
Neely Kate? You look banged up. Do you need to
be checked out at the hospital?”
“Of course not,” I said. “I’m fine.”
He glanced at my bruised temple. “Who hit
you?”
“Stella.”
“The woman from Oklahoma? What did she
and the man want?”
“Money.”
We reached the kitchen door, which Mason
opened to let me in, following behind. “I didn’t
know you had friends in Oklahoma.”
I could have gotten angry. I knew what he was
up to—trying to find the holes in our story. He was
a smart man, and he knew something smelled fishy.
But I also believed he was truly trying to seek
justice. It was hard to fault him for that. “Coffee?”
“Yeah,” he said in surprise. “Thanks.”
“They weren’t my friends,” I said as I started
scooping the grounds. “Not anymore.” I cringed. “I
knew them when I moved to Ardmore after I
graduated from high school. We didn’t keep in
touch after I came back here.”
“Kind of weird they’d show up here after all
those years,” he said. “And around the same exact
time Kate broke loose.”
I poured the water into the coffeemaker, then
turned it on. I could make an enemy of Mason, or I
could try to keep him as a friend. I’d always liked
Mason, and I knew he’d liked me too. The question
was could I count on him to pick friendship over his
job. I wasn’t so sure I could. Not anymore.
Sitting down across from him at the kitchen
table, I said, “Living in Oklahoma was the worst
time of my life. I did quite a few things I wasn’t
proud of, and Branson and Stella were part of it.
Turned out they were desperate for money, and
somehow they found out where I was and decided
to hit me up for a payoff.” I looked into Mason’s
eyes. “I’m begging you to leave my past in the
past.”
“Sounds like it’s not in the past anymore.”
“Mason.” I leaned forward and covered his
hand with my own. “There are things in my past
that could hurt me.”
“Like Stella and Branson?”
I held his gaze. “Worse.”
“I can help you, Neely Kate, but you have to
tell me what’s goin’ on or I’m hamstrung. Let me
help you.”
I wanted to believe him, but he was going to
have to prove himself again, and so far he wasn’t
even close to convincing me.
Recognizing that I wasn’t going to answer, he
asked softly, “Where did Rose go? Are you certain
she’s safe?”
“Yeah,” I said, glancing down at our hands.
“She went to Shreveport with her aunt for the
weekend. It had been planned for a couple of
weeks, and I insisted that she still go. One less
person to worry about with Kate around.” Then I
added, “But then, your mother is watchin’ Muffy
for me, so you probably already knew about her
trip.”
“I only knew that she’s out of town. Not the
details.” Mason held my gaze. “Neely Kate, I’ve
always considered us friends. Would you agree?”
“Of course. I was heartbroken when you and
Rose broke up.”
 “So if we’re friends, then you can trust me,
right?”
My blood ran cold. He wasn’t going to let this
go. “Do you want me to be honest, Mason?”
“Of course,” he said, though I noticed he’d
steeled his back.
“Right now, it feels like there’s Mason my
friend and Mason Deveraux, the man who works
for the attorney general, and to my disappointment,
I feel like the attorney general Mason is in my
kitchen.”
“You don’t think I’m here out of concern for
your safety?” He sounded more hurt than I’d
expected.
“Yes, I absolutely believe you’re concerned
about my safety. But I also believe you’re usin’ our
friendship to get information.”
“Before you would have wanted me to have the
information so I could help catch Kate. What’s
changed?”
“No offense, Mason, but it’s hard to believe
that after you threatened Rose you were bringin’
down anything in your way.”
He pushed out a breath. “An unfortunate
choice of words that I wish I could erase, yet I
can’t. I only want to help you, Neely Kate.”
“Before you left, I was sure you had my back,”
I said quietly. “Now I feel like you’re tryin’ to trick
me into sayin’ something that will help you with
your investigation.”
“Do you have something to hide?” he asked.
I got up and got us two mugs.
“Why did Alonzo Adkins try to kidnap you
yesterday?” he asked quietly.
“I really wish I knew the answer to that,” I said,
leaning against the counter.
“Was he your past rising up like the
boogeyman?”
“Honestly, Mason? I have no earthly idea, and
that scares the bejiggers out of me.”

“I’ M NOT sure this is a good idea,” I said as I held

on to Joe’s arm. “People’s tongues are bound to be
waggin’.”
We stood in the entrance of a hotel ballroom in
Little Rock, which was already full of men and
women in tuxes and formal dresses. He’d
convinced me to keep our plans to attend the
fundraiser, but after our crazy morning, we’d been
late.
“Let ’em wag,” Joe said as he gave me a gentle
tug into the room. “Kate’s big escape is gonna
overshadow the news that you’re our sister.”
I caught a glimpse of Jed slightly to my left. The
only way he’d agreed to let me go was if he could
act as a bodyguard, saying it would be easy to
explain his presence given the fact that Kate was
still on the loose and had killed two people in front
of me. I’d never expected to see him dressed in a
suit two nights in a row, and tonight he was wearing
a tux to boot… and he sure did look fine. I was
struggling to hold on to my brother’s arm and not
go over to the man I loved.
“Why do you like him so much?” Joe asked
when he noticed where my gaze had wandered.
“Because believe it or not, he’s a good person.
He’s tryin’ to make his life right, and he loves me
and wants to protect me. But most importantly, he
makes me feel like I’m enough.” I cast him a
glance. “Does that make any sense?”
He gave me a sad smile. “Yeah, it does, but for
what it’s worth, I already thought you were
enough.”
 The small orchestra on a low stage began to
play, and couples were making their way onto the
dance floor. Joe and I wandered the room, chatting
with other couples. I was sure he enjoyed the
surprise on their faces when he introduced me as
his sister. A few eyebrows rose, but the
conversation always quickly turned to Kate’s
escape and murders.
We’d been making the rounds for a good thirty
minutes when Joe’s body tensed as he gazed locked
on something across the room. “Mason.”
“He’s here?”
Sure enough, Mason was approaching, wearing
a tux of his own. He stopped in front of us and gave
me an appreciative glance. “You look beautiful,
Neely Kate.”
I glanced down at my bright red strapless dress
then back up at him. My hair had been pulled up
into a loose updo and I felt beautiful… like a
princess. Only my prince was stuck in the periphery
and was at serious risk of being spotted. I had no
doubt that Mason would recognize him. “Thank
you, Mason.”
“Joe, you must be quite proud of her.”
Joe’s face beamed as he let his gaze linger on
me. “You have no idea.”
Mason gave Joe a polite smile that looked
forced. “May I steal her away for a dance?”
Joe’s hand landed protectively on my arm. “I
suppose that’s up to Neely Kate.”
I could see this might turn into an argument,
and the Simmons family had endured enough
excitement and notoriety for one day. “Of course,”
I said, purposely preventing my gaze from drifting
to Jed.
Mason lightly put an arm around my back and
led me to the dance floor. When we were amongst
the other couples, he pulled me into a dancing
embrace, keeping a respectable distance between
us.
“You really are beautiful tonight,” Mason said
with a genuine smile. “Be sure to get photos for
Rose.”
My heart stuttered. “We already have a few.”
“I can’t imagine she would miss helpin’ you get
ready for something like this. Whatever dragged
her away must have been really important.”
I didn’t bother to hide my hurt and
disappointment. “And here I thought you were
trying to make up for this morning.”
 Guilt flashed in his eyes, quickly replaced by
slick Mason, the version of himself Joe had warned
us about last fall and winter. “Is there something
that happened between us this morning that I need
to apologize for?”
I almost told him that he’d been an ass this
morning, but that wouldn’t help anything. “I’m
exhausted, Mason. I was hoping you asked me to
dance because we’re friends and Joe apparently
doesn’t feel like dancing, but then you had to go
and ruin it.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, acting truly chagrined.
“You’re right. Only I noticed something odd and
thought I would bring it to your attention… since
you’re Rose’s friend and all.”
I didn’t like where this conversation was
heading, but there was no running away from it
now.
“And?” I prodded.
“With Kate still on the loose, I was worried
about Rose bein’ off the radar. I knew she wouldn’t
answer my call, so I called her aunt Bessie to check
on them. Imagine my surprise when Aunt Bessie
was still in Layfette County with Rose’s uncle
Earl.”
 My feet stumbled, then froze in place, but
Mason gently nudged me to keep us moving.
“Sorry,” I said. “You caught me by surprise.
Maybe they decided to call it an early weekend.”
“Nope. Aunt Bessie didn’t know a thing about
it.”
My anger rose up, but I decided to play this
light, as though he was barking up the wrong tree.
“You do realize that could be considered stalkin’?”
Mason released a soft laugh. “I suppose it could
be considered that way. Or it could be considered
investigating.”
“So you’re a detective now?” I asked in a
teasing tone, even though my stomach felt like it
was full of rocks. “Perhaps you should run for
sheriff.”
He released another chuckle. “Maybe I should.
Maybe then I’d get some straight answers.”
“Mason…”
“You know what I find extremely interesting?”
he asked, still spinning me around on the dance
floor.
“I haven’t the faintest idea.”
“Since a man with ties to a crime organization
in Dallas showed up in little Henryetta, Arkansas, I
thought to check in on all the major players in
Fenton County… to ensure their safety, of course.”
“Of course,” I murmured.
“Guess who I couldn’t locate?”
I was trying to keep from shaking with fear for
my best friend. I flashed him a coquettish smile. “If
you’re lookin’ for Daniel Crocker, you’ll find him
in a cemetery plot.”
Mason nodded. “That he is, but I’m referring to
Skeeter Malcolm. No one seemed to know where
he was, which, from what I gather, is quite
unusual.”
“You don’t say,” I murmured, knowing that
Jed’s gaze was on me. Had Mason noticed him too?
That seemed incredibly likely since very little
slipped past the man holding me in his arms. “Do
you know what I find interestin’?”
“Do tell,” he said.
“I find it interestin’ that the man who keeps
protestin’ over and over that he’s my friend keeps
tryin’ to find ways to shake me up.”
His arms stiffened. “Neely Kate.”
“No, you hear me out. I know Rose hurt you. I
know you felt like a fool for her sneaking the Lady
in Black past you for so long, but that doesn’t mean
we’re out to sneak one past you now.” I glanced up
at him. “Did it occur to you that Rose can spend
the weekend with the whole tree full of Keebler
elves, and it would still be none of your daggum
business? It has nothin’ to do with you.” I took a
step backward, out of his grasp. “I thought we were
friends, and the way you’re actin’ makes me think I
can’t trust you one iota.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, but perhaps you
shouldn’t be hiding things from me in the first
place.”
“So you’re sayin’ I can tell you about
something awful I did in Oklahoma and you’ll keep
it to yourself and won’t turn me in to the law?”
His eyes widened. “Did you break the law,
Neely Kate?”
Tears stung my eyes. “That just answered my
question.”
I turned and started to walk away, but Mason
called out, “Neely Kate. Wait.”
I ignored him, stomping off to the lady’s room,
but his longer legs caught up with me in the
hallway.
“Neely Kate.”
I spun around to face him. “The world is not
black and white, Mason Deveraux. The world is full
of gray.” I touched my fingertips to my chest. “I’m
not even close to bein’ pristine white. I’m very,
very gray. If you can’t accept that, you need to turn
around and walk away from me right now.”
“Neely Kate.”
“Do you think I’m a good person?”
He looked taken aback. “What kind of question
is that?”
“Answer the question.”
“Of course you’re a good person. What kind of
nonsense talk is that?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Are you so sure of
that? What if you found out that I killed a man?”
He tried to hide his reaction, but I could see his
shock.
“Instead of bein’ so quick to judge people and
lock them away, maybe you should get to know
them first and find out why they’re doin’ what
they’re doin’. You might be surprised what you
find.” Turning on my heel, I walked back to the
ballroom to find Joe.
I had to talk to Rose. Immediately.
Up Shute Creek (Rose Gardner Investigations #4)
November 2, 2018
***
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AL SO B Y DENI SE GRO VER SWANK

Rose And Neely Kate reading order:

Family Jewels
Trailer Trash
For the Birds
Hell in a Handbasket
In High Cotton
Up Shute Creek

Rose Gardner Investigations

Family Jewels
For the Birds
Hell in a Handbasket
Up Shute Creek

Neely Kate Mystery

Trailer Trash
In High Cotton
 Magnolia Steele Mystery
Center Stage
Act Two
Call Back
Curtain Call

Darling Investigations
(Humorous mystery romance)
Deadly Summer
Blazing Summer

Rose Gardner Mysteries

Novellas are bonus material
TWENTY-EIGHT AND A HALF WISHES
TWENTY-NINE AND A HALF REASONS
THIRTY AND A HALF EXCUSES
FALLING TO PIECES (novella)
THIRTY-ONE AND A HALF REGRETS
THIRTY-TWO AND A HALF COMPLICATIONS
PICKING UP THE PIECES (novella)
 THIRTY-THREE AND A HALF SHENANIGANS
ROSE AND HELENA SAVE CHRISTMAS (novella)
RIPPLE OF SECRETS (novella)
THIRTY-FOUR AND A HALF PREDICAMENTS
THIRTY-FIVE AND A HALF CONSPIRACIES
THIRTY-SIX AND A HALF MOTIVES
SINS OF THE FATHER (novella)

The Wedding Pact

(Humorous contemporary romance)
THE SUBSTITUTE
THE PLAYER
THE GAMBLER
THE VALENTINE (short story)

Bachelor Brotherhood
Spinoff of The Wedding Pact series
ONLY YOU
UNTIL YOU
ALWAYS YOU
Young adult contemporary romance
ONE PARIS SUMMER

Off the Subject Series

(New adult contemporary romance)
AFTER MATH
REDESIGNED
BUSINESS AS USUAL
 ALSO BY D.G. SWANK

CURSE KEEPERS WORLD

(Urban fantasy)
Curse Keepers Trilogy
The Curse Keepers
The Curse Breakers
The Curse Defiers
Curse Keepers Collection (box set)

Of Ash and Spirit Trilogy

Of Ash and Spirit
Of Fire and Storm
Of Blood and Monsters

The Chosen Series

(Adult urban fantasy)
CHOSEN
HUNTED
SACRIFICE
 REDEMPTION

On the Otherside Series

(Young adult sci fi romance)
HERE
THERE
 AB OU T T HE AU T HOR

Denise Grover Swank was born in

Kansas City, Missouri and lived in
the area until she was nineteen. Then
she became a nomadic gypsy, living
in five cities, four states and ten
houses over the course of ten years
before she moved back to her roots.
She speaks English and smattering
of Spanish and Chinese which she learned through an
intensive Nick Jr. immersion period. Her hobbies
include witty Facebook comments (in own her mind) and
dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if
you believe her offspring.) Hidden talents include the
gift of justification and the ability to drink massive
amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two
minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to
perform many unspeakable tasks. She has six children
and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to
believe.
 For urban fantasy: dgswank.com
For mystery and romance: denisegroverswank.com