“And did you go see his parents?”
“I most certainly did not.” I mustered up the best indignant attitude I could, not an easy task when your boyfriend had you pinned to the bed, naked.
He laughed. “You mean you hadn’t had a chance to talk to them yet.”
I looked away with a frown.
“Ha! I know you better than you think I do.”
I lifted my hips, trying to throw him off, but he laughed and pressed harder. “Not so fast. What did you find out in the parking lot of the Piggly Wiggly tonight?”
“What are you talkin’ about?”
“David Moore? Bruce’s best friend? What did he tell you?”
My mouth dropped. “You know who David Moore is?”
“I already told you I knew all kinds of details about the case. Now what did he tell you?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why do you want to know?”
“Because I want to help you, and the only way to do that is if you tell me everything you know about the case.”
It took a second for his words to settle in. “You want to help me?”
“I told you I know you better than you think. You’re not gonna let this go until you find justice for Bruce Wayne Decker. The safest way to do that is if I know what you know.”
I scowled. “Well, why didn’t you just tell me you wanted to help?”
He winked then leaned down, his mouth hovering over mine. “What fun is there in that?”
I lifted my head so my lips met his. He groaned and rolled onto his side, pulling me with him.
“Now tell me what he told you.”
“Not much, before you showed up. He said that Bruce was stoned on Daniel Crocker’s pot.”
“Ah… my buddy, Daniel Crocker.”
“When Bruce went into the hardware store, he found Frank arguin’ with some guy. Then the guy hit him with a crowbar, ran into the office, and left.”
“So how did Bruce Decker gain possession of the murder weapon?”
“He took it with him, and David convinced him to hide it under his house so they could use it to frame the real murderer.”
“And how did they plan to do that? DNA? Fingerprints?”
“They didn’t have a clue.”
Joe nodded. “Sounds about right. What else?”
“He said he heard the argument. Frank was shoutin’ that he was never gonna sell and the other guy said he was gonna get what was owed to him.”
Joe looked surprised, then smiled. “What else?”
“That’s it from those two.”
“But you know something else.”
He did know me. “Well, Neely Kate said Frank owed bookies and Anne in the paint department said he owed a lot of money to someone, but she wasn’t sure who he owed it to.”
“Anything else?”
“Yeah, some guy hung around the hardware store after the murder. I told you that already.”
“And how do you know this?”
“Anne.”
“The woman in the paint department? Okay. What did this man do?”
“He just hung around, lookin’ suspicious, buying odds and ends that didn’t make any sense.”
“Anything else?”
“Other than my vision? No.”
“So, Detective Rose, what do you make of this so far?”
I propped up on my elbow, looking down at his amused grin. “Well, we know that Bruce is innocent and that a man, not a woman, killed Frank Mitchell, but we don’t know who he is, but I know he’s left-handed and had a scar from his wrist up his forearm. And he has a pin he left behind with a dog, a tree and a bird on it. I suspect he was the guy wanting to buy Frank’s house.”
“And what makes you say that?”
“Because Frank told the guy he wasn’t goin’ to sell.”
“But Decker was pretty stoned when he heard that, by his own admission, according to his buddy. And he’s right. Crocker’s pot was pretty potent. And often laced with other stuff.”
“So it doesn’t mean anything?”
“I didn’t say that, but you have to take the source into consideration.”
“And the guy who killed him said he was gonna get what was owed him. He must have been a bookie.”
“It would seem that way, wouldn’t it?”
Something in his voiced clued me in that I might be wrong. “It’s the obvious fit, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, that’s why you have to be careful with that assumption. You’re just guessing at this point, you don’t have any evidence, which is why you were a suspect in your mother’s murder and Bruce Decker is sittin’ in the county jail. You both fit that empty hole.”
“Oh.” But what he said made sense. Presuming it was a bookie made me the same kind of lazy as the Henryetta police.
He lowered his voice, his tone serious. “You know you broke the law, Rose.”
“I know. I can’t believe you weren’t mad when you came to get me.”
“I was too relieved to be mad. Neely Kate scared the livin’ hell out of me. I thought you were hurt or dead.”
“What did she say?”
“Just that something terrible had happened and I needed to come to the Fenton County DA’s office. I thought you’d been… I didn’t want to think what might have happened to you. I tried to call Violet, but she didn’t answer. I got a hold of Deveraux while I was drivin’ down.”
“You called Mason Deveraux?”
“Well, he is the ADA. He knew about the case and together we convinced the judge to let you out.”
“I can’t believe he did that. He hates me.” I thought back to our conversation in the jail. Mr. Deveraux had told me he felt guilty for being hateful. And I had to admit he wasn’t very hateful during our talk.
Joe squinted. “Why do you say he hates you? I thought the defense attorney disliked you.”
“They both do. But Mr. Deveraux hates me because I ran into him. Literally. Twice. He wasn’t happy either time.”
Furrowing his brow, Joe tucked a stray hair behind my ear. “He sure didn’t act like he hated you while pleadin’ your case.”
I couldn’t help wondering if we were talking about the same man. “Well, it was probably because he felt guilty. I went to see him yesterday after I called you. I was goin’ to tell him everything, hopin’ that he would believe me, but just as I was headed into his office, he was comin’ out and we ran into each other. He was in a foul mood to begin with, and I was the last straw. He let loose on me. Needless to say, I gave him a piece of my mind and left.”
Joe chuckled. “I would have liked to have seen that. And you’re correct. He’s an uptight guy. Must be from that fancy East Coast schooling.”
“When he came to visit me in jail, he told me he felt bad that he’d yelled at me. He asked me if I’d visited Frank’s house because of him, because he’d been so hateful, not giving me a chance to tell him what I’d come to say. Anyway, when he left the jail, he told me he was goin’ to get me out.”
“He did his part to get you out, and then some. I had to attest to your character, but Deveraux convinced the judge you had an over-heightened sense of justice.”
My eyes widened. “Oh, Lordy! You didn’t tell him about my visions, did you?”
He reached up and kissed me lightly. “No, Rose. It’s not my place to tell. While I wish you’d learn to trust people more, I understand why you don’t. I hope I can help you think differently.”
I doubted that day would ever come, but didn’t feel like tackling the subject at the moment. “So you’re really not mad at me?”
“I didn’t say that. I was too scared to be mad. Neely Kate needs to give better explanations of what’s goin’ on.”
I couldn’t believe she had called Joe. How had she gotten his number? I suspected Neely Kate knew exactly what she was doing with her cryptic message. “Violet really never called you?”
His voice hardened. “No.”
“What about Deanna? The attorney?”
“She showed up at the jail, but left after she realized Deveraux and I had it covered.”
I stroked his cheek with my fingertips. “I’m sorry about Violet. If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think it’s you. I think it’s where you live and the fact I might move to Little Rock with you.”
His grin lit up his face. “You told her you might move up to Little Rock?”
“No in so many words, but she’s pretty intuitive and probably figured out that I was considerin’ it.”
“So you’re considering it?”
“Yeah.” I placed a light kiss on his lips. “I love you, Joe, and I hate it when you’re gone. I’m lonely without you.”
Joe spent the rest of the night demonstrating how unlonely I’d be if he were around all the time.
The next morning, Joe stood in front of the stove making crepes while I cut up strawberries at the sink, sneaking glances at him. “I miss Muffy. I want to go get her from Violet.”
Joe’s shoulders tensed. “I don’t understand why you weren’t bringin’ her to Little Rock in the first place. You know I love that little dog.”
I shrugged with a sigh. “Violet convinced me it would give the two of us more time if we didn’t have to worry about taking care of Muffy.”
Joe narrowed his eyes, making it obvious he didn’t believe that explanation.
“What’s done is done. I miss my dog.”
He planted a kiss on my forehead. “I miss her too. Let’s go get her after breakfast. And then we can finish painting the back bedroom.”
With all the excitement of the last couple of days, I’d forgotten about the half-painted room. “You don’t have to help me paint, Joe. I can paint next week after you’re gone.”
He shook his head. “I like to paint, and I want to help you. Besides, it’s almost done. It won’t take long.”
I relented, only because he convinced me he really liked to paint. Plus it reminded me of him offering to give me a few pointers when I painted the living room after Momma’s murder. But it also reminded me that Violet had burst in and tried to ruin what I had with Joe then too, even if it had just been friendship at that point. Joe was the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to me. I wasn’t going to let her stand in the way of my happiness, and I sure wasn’t going to let her run Joe off.
I marched over to the phone.
Joe turned around, surprised. “What are you doin’?”
“I’m calling Violet and telling her I’m coming to get Muffy after breakfast.”
He raised his eyebrows and turned back to his skillet.
The phone rang four times before Mike picked up. “Hi, Rose.”
“Hey, Mike.” He caught me off guard. Mike hated to talk on the phone and never answered. Violet had to be spitting mad to convince Mike to pick up.
“I heard about your ordeal.”
I could only imagine what he’d heard, but there was no need getting into it. “I’m not goin’ to Little Rock this weekend so I’m gonna come pick up Muffy after breakfast.”
A muffling sound filled my ear. Mike must have covered the mouthpiece to relay my information to Violet.
“Um…Vi—I mean, Ashley was lookin’ forward to spending the day with Muffy.” I heard the irritation in his voice. Violet must have been coaching him on what to say.
My mouth pursed as I tried to figure out what to do. There was little doubt that it would disappoint Ashley, but I could smell a Violet power play a mile away. “Well…”
“Oh, to hell with it!” Mike growled. “This has gone on long enough. You and Violet need to work this out because I’m tired of being the middle of it!”
My mouth gaped, and I must have looked as shocked as I felt judging from Joe’s worried expression.
“You come over tonight for dinner and sort this out with her.”
Violet shouted protests in the background.
“That’s not a good idea, Mike.” I glanced at Joe. “Joe’s here this weekend and with–”
“Perfect. Bring him too. He’s part of this mess.”
“I don’t know…”
Joe stood in front of me. “What’s goin’ on?”
I whispered, “Mike wants us to come over for dinner tonight to sort this all out.”
A murderous gleam filled his eyes. “I think that’s a great idea.”
“But… I don’t—”
Joe grabbed the phone out of my hand.
Oh, crappy doodles.
“Mike? Joe here. What time should we come over?” He used his Detective Simmons, no-nonsense-tolerated voice. There was a long pause. “We’ll be there at six. And we will be bringing our dog home.” He slammed the receiver onto the phone on the wall, then stood in front of it for several seconds. “We’re going over at six.”
“So I heard.”
Joe turned around to look at me, his anger fading a bit. “It’s time to get this all out in the open.”
I twisted the bottom of my shirt. “I suppose.”
“Violet needs to accept the fact that I’m not going anywhere. The only person who can run me off is you. Do you want to run me off?” Insecurity flickered across his face before determination replaced it.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and rose on my toes to kiss him. “No, Joe. I most definitely don’t want to run you off.”
He held me tight, his breath whooshing out in relief. “You might have to choose. Violet may force you to choose her or me.”
I buried my head into his chest. “You’re a better cuddler.”
He laughed and rubbed my back.
I looked up at him. “You called Muffy ‘our dog.’”
He cringed in embarrassment. “Yeah, sorry about that. It’s just that I’ve known her as long as you have and I love takin’ care of her when I’m here. And I miss her.”
I kissed him again and smiled. “I like us sharing something so important. It makes us more permanent.”
His smile lit up his face. “I like the sound of that.”
We spent the rest of the day finishing the bedroom and for the first time, I let my mind cross my self-imposed line. I let myself consider a future with Joe. But I worried about our confrontation with Violet later. Joe said he wasn’t going anywhere, but he’d never been on the full receiving end of Violet’s wrath. It wasn’t fair that Joe had to endure her meddling. I couldn’t help wondering if I was worth the aggravation.
Chapter Seventeen
“Joe, we don’t have to do this.”
We stood on Violet’s front porch and Joe held my hand so tightly my palm began to sweat. He wore the new dress shirt and jeans we’d bought him earlier. Since he’d left Little Rock in such a hurry, he hadn’t gone home to pack anything.
“Yes, we do. We’re sortin’ this out.” He gritted his teeth, mumbling his words.
The front door opened and Mike filled the opening, an apologetic look on his face. He held two beer bottles and handed one to Joe. “You’re gonna need it.”
Joe took it and stepped through the door, dragging me behind him.
Mike mouthed “I’m sorry” as we passed.
I was walking into World War III. “Got another one of those?”
Mike grinned. “Comin’ right up.” He disappeared into the kitchen.
Violet sat on the deck and watched the kids play with Muffy in the yard. Her sunglasses hid her eyes, but she lifted a glass of wine to her mouth.
Joe stopped outside the door. “Violet, we need to talk.”
Muffy saw us and ran over, jumping on my legs and begging me to pet her.
Violet lowered her glasses, eyeing Joe up and down before she pushed them back up and turned her gaze to the kids. “I don’t know about manners where you’re from, Joe Whatever-your-name-happens-to-be-this-week, but here in Henryetta we don’t tolerate rudeness.”
I gasped. I hadn’t seen Violet act that catty since high school. What in the world had gotten into her?
Mike walked out with my beer and I took a bi
g gulp, nearly choking on the fizz.
Violet turned her judgment on me. “Beer, Rose? Really?
“There is nothing wrong with beer, Violet.” Since I still held Joe’s hand, I put the hand holding my beer on my hip, hoping to look indignant. Not an easy task while trying not to tip the bottle. The contents sloshed out as Muffy jumped up my leg. I’m sure it lost some of the effect, but I didn’t want to let go of Joe’s hand. It was important I showed her that we were a couple, whether she liked it or not.
“Joe, have a seat.” Mike’s tone was friendly but direct.
I sat in the wicker love seat, pulling Joe down next to me. Muffy leapt into my lap, covering me with licks.
I set the bottle down and buried my face into her neck. “I missed you too, girl.”
Mike lifted the lid to his grill and turned his steaks. “This has gone on long enough and we’re gonna put a stop to it tonight.”
For a moment, I thought he was talking about the steaks. Mike never meddled in other people’s business. Ever. But then again, he was probably tired of taking cover during Violet’s tirades.
Turning around, he pointed his tongs at Violet. “Rose is a grown woman and she’s entitled to date who she wants, whenever she wants. You may be her older sister, but that doesn’t give you the right to run her life.”
Violet gasped. “Am I supposed to sit back and say nothing while I watch her make the biggest mistake of her life?”
“You need to respect her decisions.”
Her mouth pursed as she shook her head. She leaned on the chair arm, turning her attention to Joe. “We don’t know anything about you. You waltz into town and put my sister in danger, then make her fall in love with you. Then you come and go as you please, makin’ her miserable during the week. Now she’s thinkin’ about running off with you.” She turned her stare on me. “I’m not a fool, Rose Anne Gardner. I know what you’re thinking. But he could be a serial killer for all we know.”
“Violet!” If I hadn’t already told Joe that I loved him, I’d have been seething with anger that she mentioned my feelings so casually, as if they weren’t mine to tell. Well, seething with more anger than I’d come over to her house with. And how did she know I loved him, anyway? I’d never told her. “You know good and well he’s a state police officer. How can he be a serial killer?”
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