In High Cotton: Neely Kate Mystery #2

by Denise Grover Swank

  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 o
n 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?”