Come Rain or Shine: Rose Gardner Investigations #5 (Rose Gardner Investigatons)

by Denise Grover Swank

  Jed stood still for a second, then nodded.

  “I’m gonna walk Jed out,” I said, trying to swallow my apprehension. This was becoming all too real and scary.

  We walked to the front door. Then I followed Jed onto the porch and closed the door behind me.

  “I don’t like this, Rose.”

  “I don’t like it either, but I’m thinkin’ he has a point. I need a different attorney and you definitely need a new one. Carter Hale’s gonna side with whoever’s givin’ him his fat paycheck.”

  Jed stared out into the empty hay field. “Skeeter would never turn on us.”

  “He told me to answer all the questions truthfully, Jed,” I said softly. “He said to tell them everything they want to know.”

  His eyes widened in shock.

  “I think he’s made some kind of deal with the FBI, and something big is goin’ down. That’s why he’s distanced himself from us. I agree that he’s tryin’ to protect us. But if I do as he asked, I may be implicatin’ most of the big players in this county. They may even ask me to implicate you.” I took a breath. “I can’t do that. I won’t do that. I convinced those men to trust me. If I snitch on them now, I can say goodbye to living here in Henryetta. Heck, I’d need to go into hiding.”

  His eyes turned hard. “So you lie?”

  “Right or wrong, I’d lie through my teeth if that’s what I need to do to protect my baby. James won’t tell me what deal he made, but I can’t believe I’ll get out of this unscathed if I spill things about all the criminals in this county.”

  He remained silent.

  “But here’s another problem: I was told if I don’t tell the truth, they’ll know I’m lyin’.”

  Jed’s gaze flicked to mine, surprise in his eyes. “Skeeter really did squeal to the authorities.”

  I swallowed, my dread making me dizzy. “How else would they know? I was told they can’t touch James and they’ll leave me alone as long as I tell the truth.”

  Jed looked like he was about to be sick.

  “We might be borrowin’ trouble,” I said. “The grand jury might just ask about my incident with the Sugar Branch police and that’s it.”

  He nodded slowly, but I could tell he didn’t believe it for a minute.

  “I’m not incriminatin’ you, Jed. I’d never do that.” I felt close to tears, but I pushed on. “But if they really know things, I could get arrested for perjury. I need you to promise me somethin’.”

  I could see the wheels were spinning in his head as he tried to come up with a plan, but he gave me his full attention. “What?”

  “If I’m in jail when I have my baby, I need you and Neely Kate to take care of him or her for me.” Joe had given me the idea, and I knew it was the right thing to do.

  His eyes flew wide in alarm. “Rose.”

  I put my hand on his upper arm and patted. “Listen to me, Jed. How long can they put me away for perjury? A few months? A few years?” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I know the baby will be safe with you, and when I get out, I know no one will come after us because I kept my mouth shut.” My chin trembled. “I can’t spend the rest of my life worried someone’s gonna hurt us for testifyin’ against them. Not to mention my word has to mean something.”

  “Rose—” Jed’s voice broke. “I’m not gonna let any of this happen.”

  I shook my head. “You stop right there. You don’t do a doggone thing to stop this. You hear me? If something goes wrong, I need you to be safe so you can take care of my baby and Neely Kate.” I shook my head, narrowing my gaze. “She needs you something fierce, Jed.”

  “And she needs you too. Don’t you forget it.”

  I gave him a sad smile. “But you feed a part of her soul I never will. And that’s okay.” I paused. “She needs something good in her life. She deserves it.”

  Jed pulled me into a hug. “We’ll find a way to keep it from gettin’ that far. I’ll talk to Skeeter—”

  Pulling back, I looked up at him with a hard stare. “You’ll do no such thing,” I said, injecting plenty of bite into my words. “You’ll stay as far from him as possible.”

  “Rose.”

  “No. This is my decision, and I need to know my insurance plan for my baby is in place. I need to know you’ll be around to take care of the people I love. Will you do that for me, Jed?”

  His eyes turned glassy. “Yes.”

  I pushed out a breath and nearly burst into tears. “Thank you.”

  “But we’ll hope to God it never gets that far.”

  “Agreed.” I reached for the doorknob. “Now I need to get back inside.” I scanned the horizon. “Joe said he was gonna be here. I hope things are goin’ okay with the investigation.”

  “Skeeter’s men were really gonna kill you?”

  Giving him a grim look, I nodded. “But I don’t think they knew it was me. They only knew I’d overheard them asking the pharmacist for the prescriptions Dr. Arnold had written before he left town. But they were gonna kill an innocent bystander. Would James condone that kind of behavior?”

  Jed’s eyes widened slightly, and it was clear he was uncomfortable.

  “I take it that’s a yes?” I asked, trying to hide my horror. “Did you condone killing innocent people?”

  “No,” he said in a harsh tone. “I don’t believe in killin’ at all, but occasionally there’s no way around it. Hurting an innocent bystander is something different. That’s a line I would never cross.”

  “So James would condone it,” I pressed.

  Jed seemed to give it some thought. “Before I left, no. But now…I’m not sure.”

  I couldn’t imagine the man I loved would kill someone who’d been unlucky enough to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. It didn’t fit with what I knew of James, but Jed had been with him longer. He had seen the ugly parts James had hidden from me. And that wasn’t the only thing.

  I looked up at him, heartbroken all over again. “Why would he lie to me about the drugs?”

  “I don’t know, but he refused to let me be part of it. I wonder if he knew back then that something like this might happen and he was tryin’ to protect me.”

  “Three years ago?” I asked.

  “I don’t know, Rose,” he said, sounding defeated. “Obviously there’s a whole lot I don’t know.”

  He headed down the steps toward Neely Kate’s car, and I went back inside, feeling more anxious than ever.

  Carly had left the kitchen and Gary had his laptop, a legal pad, and pen arrayed in front of him, along with a huge cup of coffee.

  He glanced up at me with a determined look. “Let’s get started.”

  CHAPTER 20

  I refreshed my glass of water and sat at the table. “Okay.”

  “First,” Gary said, folding his hands atop his legal pad and holding my gaze, “whatever you say to me is bound by a confidentiality agreement. I can’t tell anyone what you tell me. That’s very important, because according to my call with Joe last night, you’ve been privy to a large amount of implicating information.”

  I nodded. “Yes.”

  “Since you’re protected by that confidentiality agreement, I need you to tell me everything. I can’t get blindsided in court or a deposition, should it come to that. I need to know all the potential issues we’re facing so I can come up with a plan of attack. But I can only do that if you’re honest with me, even if it’s embarrassing. I should warn you, though, that you can’t perjure yourself and keep me as your attorney.”

  My cheeks flushed.

  “Trust me, Rose. I’ve heard it all. You won’t shock me.” He paused and took a sterner tone. “But I hate nothing worse than to be caught off guard. Especially if I’m facing that arrogant prick Mason Deveraux. So if I find out you lied to me, I will cut you loose in a hot minute.” He leaned forward. “Is that clear?”

  “Yes,” I said, nearly in a whisper. “I’ll tell you everything.”

  He pushed out a slow breath. “Okay.�
� Picking up his pen, he said, “Joe told me he thinks the grand jury is looking into the corruption of the Sugar Branch Police Department, but that the prosecutor will likely branch off and ask questions about Skeeter Malcolm. How did you come to know this person?”

  I told him the same story I’d told Violet, only I focused more on logistics than feelings, starting with meeting James at the pool hall.

  “James?” Gary asked, glancing up.

  I flushed. “That’s his given name. That’s what I call him.”

  Understanding filled his eyes, and I continued my story, bringing him through my Lady in Black adventures, the progression of my relationship with James, and the investigations that had submerged Neely Kate and me deeper into the criminal world. I left out only my visions. When I got to the standoff with Wagner, where James had shot Wagner and I’d taken the blame—which seemed to catch Gary off guard despite his insistence that he’d heard it all—I stopped when I heard the front door open.

  “I’m here,” Joe called out.

  My eyes widened, but Gary took in my expression and nodded slightly.

  “Joe,” Gary said good-naturedly as Joe walked in. “Good to see you, my friend.” He got to his feet to greet him. “Looks like country life agrees with you.”

  Joe grinned as he and Gary embraced in a bro hug then stepped apart. “Call me crazy, but I like it here. Thanks for makin’ the drive down.”

  “Of course,” Gary said, leaning over to flip his notebook upside down as he noticed Joe’s gaze drift to the table.

  Joe ran a hand over his head, then glanced down at me. “Sorry I’m late. The FBI’s gettin’ involved, so I had some extra paperwork to deal with.”

  “FBI?” Gary asked in surprise.

  Joe cringed. “Rose witnessed an incident last night at a pharmacy in Henryetta. She was nearly killed. The pharmacist has admitted to taking part in a drug ring involving prescription medication, and the FBI had been interested in the doctor who was writin’ the prescriptions.”

  Gary narrowed his eyes as he studied me, then looked back up at Joe. “I take it that happened after we talked?”

  “About ten thirty last night,” Joe confirmed.

  “Trouble seems to follow you around, Rose,” Gary said with a half smile.

  “Seems like it,” I half-heartedly agreed.

  “What did I miss?” Joe asked.

  He started toward a chair, but Gary held up a hand and blocked Joe’s path. “Hold up there, my friend. I think it’s best if you weren’t part of this.”

  Joe’s mouth opened then closed. “What are you talkin’ about? I was the one who called you.”

  “I know,” Gary said, “but you also made it very clear that Rose is my client. And considering the fact that you were concerned she might be caught up in something illegal, I think it’s best we continue this interview with just the two of us.”

  “I don’t want to prosecute her, Gary,” Joe said, his voice turning hard. “I want to protect her.”

  “I know, which is why I think it’s best you don’t sit in on our interview.” Gary shifted his feet, then said, “Look, Joe. First of all, if you sit here and hear about some sort of criminal activity, you’ll be forced to report it.”

  “I wouldn’t—”

  “Then you’d be breaking the law,” Gary said matter-of-factly. “And if someone found out, you’d be in the very seat Rose is in, facing the same damn situation. Trying to judge how much to tell to keep from committing perjury and how much to keep to yourself to protect the people you care about. I think we can all agree that the less you know, the better protected you both will be.”

  Joe started to protest, then closed his mouth.

  “Second,” Gary continued, “Rose is far more likely to sugarcoat things or tone them down if you’re here.” He lifted his hands when Joe started to speak. “She’d do it to protect you, Joe, and we both know it. If you’re truly friends, some of this would be difficult for her to admit in front of you, and I need to know every damn thing that happened.”

  Joe took a breath and looked close to letting loose.

  Gary’s tone softened. “You called me because you trust me, right? Then trust me in this. I’ll fight tooth and nail to protect her. But I need you to let me do my job, which means kicking you out.”

  Joe turned to face me, indecision on his face. “Rose?”

  “I’m fine, Joe,” I assured him. “And Gary’s right. If you’re here, I’ll be too embarrassed to answer some of his questions. And I don’t want to get you in trouble. We’ve both been skirtin’ that issue for months.”

  Frustration filled his eyes. “How can I protect you if I have no idea where the threat’s comin’ from?”

  “How about this?” Gary said in a warm tone. “If I see an immediate threat, I’ll encourage Rose to tell you.”

  Joe didn’t look pleased, but he nodded. “Fine.”

  “Good,” Gary said. “Now get the hell out, because it’s nearly noon and I still haven’t heard if they’ve postponed her appearance.”

  Joe frowned and looked at my half-full glass of water. “Have you eaten anything today?”

  “Not yet. I was about to, but I didn’t have time.”

  He turned to the fridge. “You need to eat, Rose.”

  A confused look washed over Gary’s face.

  “She’s pregnant,” Joe said, sounding short, as he pulled out a plastic container with leftovers from the night before. “And she’s lost weight. She needs to eat.”

  Gary’s eyebrows shot up to his forehead.

  “I wasn’t keepin’ it from you,” I said. “I just hadn’t gotten to that part yet.”

  He nodded, and his eyes clouded over, lost in thought.

  “She can’t go to jail for her involvement,” Joe said, scooping potatoes and pork onto a plate, then popping it in the microwave. “We have to keep her out.”

  “We need to cut her a deal,” Gary said, reaching for his phone.

  “You mean rat people out for protection?” I asked, starting to panic. “I’m not gonna do that.”

  Joe whipped around to face me. “What do you mean you’re not gonna do that?”

  I knew my life was riding on the line—no matter what I decided. I’d spent most of the last year counting on James’s umbrella of protection, but I wasn’t sure that was still a safe bet, which meant it was time to create my own umbrella. Maybe I’d already started. “I promised people I’d keep their secrets, Joe. I’m not breakin’ that promise.”

  Joe’s eyes widened in exasperation as his nostrils flared. “Carter Hale told you to tell the truth. I’m certain they already know, whether you tell them or not!”

  “I won’t be corroborating it,” I said. “All I have is my word. I have to protect my baby.”

  His face blanched. “You’re worried about blowback.”

  “Of course I am. But it’s more than that. I encouraged those men to trust me. I declared myself neutral, and it’s a position I’ve used to help keep the county safe more than once.” I shook my head. “I didn’t set out to play a role in the criminal underworld, but there’s no denying I have. I can use that position for good. Which means I can’t be spillin’ any tales about the criminal misdeeds in this county.”

  “And that might get you sent to jail, Rose!” Joe shouted.

  I stood and slowly nodded, hoping he was reassured even though I was terrified. “I’m well aware of that fact, and I’ve already made a contingency plan should that come to pass.”

  “What the hell are you talkin’ about?”

  I gave him a soft smile. “You’re the one who gave me the idea. I asked Jed if he and Neely Kate would raise my baby until I get out.”

  Tears filled his eyes. “Rose, this is fucked up.”

  “Maybe so,” I said, “but it’s what I need to do. It’s the only thing that will keep us safe once I get out.”

  “Tempers and emotions are flaring,” Gary said, holding up his hands, “and if I do my job, Ros
e will never see the inside of a jail cell.” He set his phone down. “But there’s obviously a lot more to this story that I need to hear.” He paused. “Who’s the father?”

  My face burned, but Joe spat out, “Skeeter Malcolm.”

  He seemed to reflect on that answer for a few seconds, then asked, “And does he know?”

  “I told him last night,” I said. “That’s why I was out so late. I went to see him, then stopped by the pharmacy.”

  “And how did he take the news?”

  I shook my head and took a breath to keep from crying. “He made clear he expected me to terminate the pregnancy.”

  “I see.”

  The microwave dinged, and Gary walked toward it. “Joe, get out. I know you care about her, but I need you to leave.” He pulled the plate out of the microwave. “I’ll make sure she eats while I question her. I need to decide how to use this piece of information.” He turned to me. “How many people have you told?”

  “Only a handful. I just found out last night, but half the county likely knows I’m pregnant by now.” I launched into the story of what had happened at the doctor’s office.

  “Well, that’s a potential malpractice case we’ll put on the back burner. If necessary, we can hinge our defense on your fragility—your dying sister, your unexpected pregnancy, and the father’s desertion.”

  “No one can know that James is the father,” I protested. “I’m sure people think it’s Joe’s.”

  Joe stood by the kitchen counter, looking like he’d hoped he might escape Gary’s notice.

  Gary glanced back at him. “How do you feel about that?”

  “I’ve encouraged it,” he said, squaring his shoulders. “Two people already asked me this morning. I didn’t tell them the baby was mine, but I didn’t deny it either.”