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
“Jesus 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 lar
ge 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.”
In High Cotton: Neely Kate Mystery #2 Page 10