Mississippi Blues

by D'Ann Lindun

  “Yeah, you’re right.” She was clutching at straws. “Who else would know if that man showed up after we left?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What about Lindy? Maybe she was home that night.” She hated to upset him more by bringing up his missing sister, but she was the only one Summer could think of who might have been there.

  “Probably. But it’s kind of hard to ask her right now.” His tone resonated with worry.

  “Still no word?” Realizing she had dug furrows into his inner arm, she dropped her hand.

  “No.” He sat next to her and looked at the picture again. “I can’t believe this. Somehow your mama knew Soloman. Why didn’t this surface at the trial?”

  “Mama didn’t go to Jace’s trial. She couldn’t. She was barely functioning at that point.” Through blurry eyes, she stared at him. “I hope you’re not saying Mama somehow led Soloman on, or that she deserved what happened to her.”

  “What?” Genuine shock raced across his face. “Of course not. No woman deserves that kind of abuse. I just can’t believe this never came out before. Where did you find this?”

  “In the Chief’s filing cabinet. He pulled me in today to show me some letters from Jace … I went to put them away … and I found … this. I … took it.”

  “The Chief had to know.” He crumpled the photo in his fist. “He had to.”

  “What are you saying?” Her breath came in short gasps and her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest. “Tell me what you mean.”

  “Don’t you see? The Chief surely knew MiLann was somehow acquainted with Soloman.” He flipped the photo against his palm. “Here’s the evidence.”

  “You’re not saying that the Chief knew Mama was out partying with Soloman before he raped her, are you?” Summer knew that was what he was saying, but she couldn’t believe it.

  “There’s only one way to find out. Ask him,” Trey said.

  “You don’t think he found out when Mama went to him for help after the rape?” The idea shook Summer to the core. If the Chief realized Mama was acquainted with Soloman before the rape, then had he known something that made him refuse to put Soloman in custody? But what?

  “Why would it matter?” Trey asked. “Why wouldn’t he still arrest that creep? Even if MiLann had been out with Soloman prior to what he did to her? Just because a woman parties with a man doesn’t make it okay to violate her. The Chief doesn’t believe otherwise.”

  Summer shoved the picture under his nose and tapped his mother’s face. “Look who else is there. Your mother.”

  “What are you driving at?” He avoided her gaze.

  “You know where I’m going, Trey. I don’t want to have to spell it out.” Why was he being so stubborn? Refusing to see the obvious right in front of him? If she could see it, why wouldn’t he? She scanned the picture again. “There are five people in this picture besides Mama. Every one of them knew Soloman before the rape. Why didn’t that come out at Jace’s trial?”

  “It wouldn’t have made any difference.” Trey got up and walked a few feet away and leaned on the railing. She refused to follow him. “Jace still killed Soloman for what he did to your mama. Just because those people knew him doesn’t change anything.”

  “Wouldn’t it?” Her voice could’ve frozen the North Pole. “I think it might’ve. I have a sneaking suspicion the Chief knew his wife and friends had been drinking with the man who hurt my mama all along. I think he kept his mouth shut when Jace was tried and convicted for murdering this man because maybe, just maybe, one of these people had a reason to kill Soloman. If Jace went to prison, none of these people had to.”

  “What would any one of them have to gain by murdering Soloman?” Trey asked. “Jace is the only one with a motive.”

  “That’s the part I can’t figure out,” Summer said. “But I intend to get to the bottom of this. I’m going to prove my brother is innocent if it’s the last thing I do.”

  “How?” Trey frowned. “If we go marching into the Chief’s office looking for a fight, he’ll clam up tighter than an old maid’s knees. There’s got to be another way to find out what we want to know. Asking either your mama or mine is out of the question. Leroy Eaton might tell me. If I handle it right. I was going to see him anyway.”

  He didn’t know. “Oh, God, Trey. Leroy Eaton hung himself tonight.”

  “What?” The shock on his face registered just as her own must have when she’d heard the news. “Why?”

  “I have no idea. Jody burst into the Chief’s office and gave him the word when Glory and I were there.”

  “Man, that sucks. I still want to help. If what you’re saying is true, then I want to know, too. If there’s one secret there might be more.” He came and sat next to her. “Look, I have reason to believe Jace doesn’t have Lindy after all.”

  Hope thawed her a bit. Was she hearing him right? “What changed your mind?”

  His words came slowly. “The evidence was pretty convincing that Jace had Lindy, but I don’t think he does any more. It looks like Jimmy Ray may have done something to her.”

  For a minute, nothing in the world seemed to move. Even the waves of the lake seemed to still. Her heart soared. “Do you mean it? You don’t think Jace took your sister?”

  “No.”

  The single word she’d waited for. She wanted to wrap her arms around him. Instead she touched his arm. “Do you honestly believe Jimmy Ray hurt Lindy? Not Jace?”

  “I’m afraid Jimmy Ray killed her.”

  The pain in his eyes gnashed at her heart. Without thinking, without reason, Summer wrapped her arms around him.

  Slipping into his embrace felt as natural to her as breathing.

  Wrapping her arms around his waist, she leaned her cheek against his solid chest. His heart beat against her face and she stood absorbing the sensation. She felt his lips brush over her hair and she moved closer until her breasts were crushed against him, her legs pressed into his. He circled her with his arms, his hands cupping her behind.

  “Summer.” The word was low, guttural. “Don’t offer something you can’t give.”

  She tipped her head back and met his eyes. The heat there seared her soul, but she met it evenly. No other man had ever made her feel the way he did. For five long years, she’d tried to put him out of her head and her heart, but he wouldn’t leave. Being in his arms had always been right. She had loved him all her life.

  “Do you know what you’re doing to me?” His arms tightened around her.

  “Yes,” she whispered. Nothing else mattered. Not his father, not her mother. Not Jace, not Lindy. The only people who counted at that moment were the two of them.

  He closed his eyes and groaned before his lips sought hers. He kissed her until any lingering doubts vanished.

  He led her inside and they fell on the couch, her across his lap, his mouth on hers. Her denim shorts rode high, exposing her thighs, rubbing against her sensitive center. She wasn’t the only one reaching overdrive with little prompting. Trey’s erection pressed against her leg, reminding her of a time she had tried so hard to forget. She refused to think about what tomorrow would bring them. The only thing that mattered now was them.

  His lips left hers, tasting her collarbone, dipping lower to the swell of her breast. Her nipples pebbled, rubbing against her satin bra, dying for his mouth. Pushing away all the ghosts whispering doubts in her ear, she angled her torso so his lips could more easily access her breast. Answering her prompt, he slid his hand under the hem of her shirt, edging it along her ribs, resting it at the bottom of her bra. A small whimper of encouragement escaped her when he stilled his lips.

  Edging his thumb under the satin barrier, he ran it repeatedly over the underside of her breast. Summer had never felt anything so erotic in her entire life. Her back arched, push
ing her against his devilish thumb. If he didn’t move it another half inch up, she was going to scream. She turned her head and her nose bumped the side of his head. He smelled like sandalwood or cedar. Something masculine, something wonderful. Moving her head a fraction, she touched his ear with the tip of her tongue. He shuddered.

  Her whole being seemed to depend on him. Her body was like liquid silver, uncontrollable, jumpy, ready to explode. With his thumb, he raked her bra over her taut nipple, making her jump. He tugged her tee up toward her neck and dipped his mouth toward her breast. Taking it in his mouth, he pulled deep. A silent scream fought for a way out of her throat. To silence it, she did what she’d been dying to do; she tasted the side of his neck with her tongue.

  He groaned.

  She couldn’t decide what he tasted like exactly. But the sensation of his slick, warm skin on her tongue made her reel. Maybe it was just being in Trey’s arms again after such a long time, but whatever the reason she didn’t want to be anywhere else. They belonged together. They always had. She didn’t care if she marked him, didn’t care who saw. The thought made her suck harder, determined to show the world it didn’t matter what anyone thought.

  “Summer.”

  Gradually, she became aware that he had released her breast. Disappointed, she gave him a light nip and maneuvered her damp, erect nipple under his wonderful, sinful mouth again. But he sat up, nearly unseating her.

  “Summer.”

  “What?” she grumped, wrapping her arms tightly about his neck.

  Reluctantly, she opened her eyes. At first, nothing came into focus, but she gradually gained control and realized she had her tee tangled around her waist, her bra who knew where. With trembling fingers, she tugged her shirt back into place and scooted off his lap. God, what had she been thinking? She stole a glance at his neck. A dark red mark proved her lips had been there moments before. If the boat tipped over with her on it and sank to the bottom, it wouldn’t be good enough to hide her from the Chief. And if Mama got wind of this, all hell would break loose.

  She didn’t care.

  “Take me to bed,” she ordered.

  He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. She wrapped her legs around his waist for the short trip.

  She helped him lift her tee over her head. His mouth dipped to her breast again and she cupped the back of his neck with her hand. A powerful force built within her, making her ache so badly she burned with it.

  One time had not been enough.

  She reached between them and unbuttoned her own shorts. Somewhat shocked by her forwardness, she pushed her khaki shorts and undies over her hips and thighs. Trey rose up and shrugged his own T-shirt over his head. He unsnapped his jeans and slipped out of them and his undershorts. God, fully erect, he was beautiful.

  Lowering himself onto her, he supported his weight with his elbows.

  The hair on his chest brushed her nipples and they arched to attention. Desperate to feel him inside her, she spread her legs as wide as her shorts and panties wrapped around her thighs would allow. She pulled his mouth to hers and tangled their tongues together.

  He reached between them and shoved her constricting garments out of the way. Then he pushed inside her in a powerful, hot rush.

  She grabbed his arms and held on as he filled, stretched her.

  Her breath rushed out of her in a shuddering gasp.

  She hadn’t expected this. He was too big, too much. Turning her head, she tasted him on the bicep. He wrapped his hands around her head, kissing her until she wanted him to take them both to heaven.

  She lifted her hips and he shifted forward. A tiny spark deep within her lit.

  Urging him on, she rocked and the flame leapt.

  Heat from deep in her began to spread, warming her entire body. She licked his nipple and he pressed deeper. The fire burned hotter. She did it again. The flame leapt to a torch. She rocked under him, until together they burned. When she thought she could stand no more, he reached under her buttocks and lifted. Summer disintegrated into a pile of smoldering ashes.

  Moments later, he too, came with a guttural moan.

  She didn’t know how long she lay there. When his weight became too much, she shifted. He rolled over, pulling her across his chest. Twisting her legs through his, Summer wished she could stay like this forever. If only they could forget the rest of the world. Impossible.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked.

  She traced a path from his collarbone to his bellybutton. “Just that we’d be fine if we could shut out everyone else.”

  “We can.” His lips brushed over her hair. “Just don’t think about them right now.”

  She moved to sit up. “I have to go.”

  He tightened his arms around her and kissed her forehead. “Not yet.”

  As much as she was tempted to stay in his arms, and forget her problems for a little while, she couldn’t. “I’ve got to … Mama will worry.”

  He let her go with one last, lingering kiss that almost made her change her mind. She rolled away, looking for her clothes. “Do you see my bra?”

  “It’s right here.” Trey’s gaze was locked on something underneath the edge of the bed.

  Reluctantly, she followed his line of sight. “Where?”

  Instead of answering, he reached for something. “Here.”

  Before he had it shook open, she was suppressing a groan of dismay. A blue lycra mini skirt was in Trey’s hands. Without being told, she instinctively knew it belonged to his sister. When she raised her gaze to meet Trey’s dull recognition shined there. “If I were a betting man, I’d say Lindy has been here. Right under our noses all along. With Jace.”

  Numb, she nodded. She forced out a single word. “Why?”

  He gave the torn garment a shake. “This is another piece of evidence that proves she was here with him. I can’t keep quiet about this.”

  “What do you mean ‘another piece of evidence’?” She managed to force the words out. They had just made love and he hadn’t told her something about Jace? She tugged the sheet around her, wishing to get as far away from him as she could.

  He met her eyes and his were troubled. “I wanted to tell you sooner … Jody found handcuffs, shackles, and a prison jumpsuit we believe are Jace’s. They were in an ice chest out in the lake.”

  Summer couldn’t find words.

  “I need to let the Chief know about this.” He reached for her as she twisted away. “I don’t have a choice.”

  “No, you never do,” she whispered through icy lips. Her stomach rolled and she fought to keep from throwing up. Little black spots swam in front of her eyes. Once again, Trey was going to testify against her brother. And send him straight back to prison before he could prove his innocence. “This doesn’t prove anything except Jace was here.” She grabbed at the first thing that came to her. “Not that Lindy was with him.”

  Trey ran a hand over the back of his neck. “I’m afraid it does prove exactly that.”

  “Please, Trey, I’m begging you, don’t do this.” Even as she pleaded with him, she knew he wouldn’t do as she asked.

  He clamped his lips together and didn’t answer.

  “That’s what I thought. You’re as stubborn as your pig-headed father. I don’t know why I thought you were any different. I’m going home to Mama. Leave me and my family alone. I pray to God that Jace is halfway to Canada by now.”

  Without responding, he got up, dressed and went outside.

  Too angry to react for a minute, Summer gasped like a fish out of water. Her fingers closed around a nubby pillow. Holding it over her head, she heaved it at the wall with a grunt. Livid, she chucked another one and then another until she had bared the bed of all pillows. Panting with rage, she laid down.

  Tears streamed down her face and she sw
iped at them with trembling hands.

  How could Trey have gone from saying he believed in Jace less than an hour ago to siccing the Chief on him in the next breath? She had been a fool to have faith in him. Trusting any member of the Bouché family was always wrong, wrong, wrong. Not a mistake she’d make again. In fact, the sooner she got out of here the better.

  Her clothes had to be around here somewhere.

  She gathered everything but her bra. When she didn’t immediately find the missing underwear, she crawled along the bed and felt under the edge of it. She gasped when her middle finger bumped into something sharp. She realized she had run her finger into a carpet tack. She knew it wasn’t going to stop trickling blood without a bandage of some sort. There should be a first aid kit in the bathroom.

  Holding her bleeding finger, she went in search of a Band-Aid.

  A large metal box had the first aid insignia across it. She opened it, but instead of Band-Aids and ointments there was a scrap of material inside. Curious, she pulled out a pink satin bra. If one wanted to call the scrap of shiny pink material a bra. A jagged rip ran up the seam, and on closer inspection she found tiny, dark spots that could only be one thing. Blood.

  Lindy.

  Summer’s hand went numb. First Jace’s prison uniform, now torn lingerie with blood on it. Emily Bouché wouldn’t have ever been caught dead in something like this, and Summer doubted any other woman had been on the Chief’s boat in recent years. Not any woman who would wear something like this anyway.

  As soon as the Chief got word Jace had been here, he would either come himself or send someone to investigate. If Summer replaced the bra the police, like her, would conclude the only reasonable explanation was that Jace had hurt Lindy. The state of it suggested Lindy hadn’t been a willing visitor. What to do? If Summer replaced the clothing, and the police found it, Jace would be in even more trouble. But if she hid it and Jace had done something to Lindy, then Summer would be guilty of aiding and abetting.

  She had no choice. If the Chief found out Jace had hurt Lindy he would be even more relentless in finding and punishing him. Summer looked desperately for a place to hide the evidence. Wearing only a T-shirt and khaki shorts, she had no obvious place to smuggle anything. It might fit inside her pocket.