I had to admit that stung, but I’d deal with my hurt feelings later.
“I talked to her alone, Neely Kate,” he continued. “I asked her if she needed help. I offered to take her to you and Rose. Marshall was right, she had some bruises on her arms, but she didn’t want to leave him.”
“I don’t believe that,” Neely Kate insisted. “I bet she did want to leave with Marshall, but she was too scared to say so.”
“You might be right,” he admitted, “but she insists she wants to stay with Bubba.”
Neely Kate was quiet for a moment, but I could tell her mind was working something fierce.
Jed changed the subject. “What do you girls plan to do now?”
I glanced at Neely Kate. “I guess go back to the office. We can work on the landscape plans for our clients from this morning.”
“Sounds like a good plan,” Jed said. “Lie low until we have the Charlene situation contained. As soon as I finish up here, I’ll head over to the office to keep an eye on you both.”
Contained. Did that mean they were going to kill her? I had trouble believing they would turn her over to the sheriff. “You can’t kill her,” I blurted out.
“What?” Jed asked, sounding caught off guard.
“You have to turn her over to the sheriff after you get your answers.”
“Rose, you realize if she has something incriminating on you, she won’t hesitate to use it for revenge.”
My stomach was in knots and my chest was so tight I felt like I was about to have a heart attack, but nevertheless I said, “No more killing.”
He was quiet for several seconds. “I’ll talk to Skeeter.” Then he hung up.
We rode in silence for a minute before Neely Kate turned in her seat to face me. “I’m starvin’. Let’s pick up lunch on the way.”
My stomach was still performing acrobatics. I couldn’t handle one more murder, even if she posed a threat to my future. But dwelling on it wasn’t helping anything. “Sure.”
“I guess our job’s not done until the sheriff’s office clears Patsy’s name,” she said. “So we just need to wait until Jed and Skeeter ask their questions.”
“And we still need to tell Patsy something,” she said. “But I guess we better wait until Jed gives us the all clear. It’s not like she’s beatin’ down the door to find out how we’re doin’.”
True enough. She wouldn’t even answer her phone.
We stopped at Neely Kate’s favorite place—Chuck and Cluck—and picked up some congratulatory fried chicken for her. (I opted for just mashed potatoes and green beans.) We’d only been back to the office for a half hour, each of us working on a separate client’s file, when I got a call from Violet.
My heart started beating double time—was she back in the hospital?—but I tried to sound calm when I answered. “Hi, Violet,” I said, “everything okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said, sounding exhausted, “but I’m calling to ask for a favor.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“I was wondering if you could help me run a couple of errands. I’ll need you to pick me up first.”
“Sure, I can help you with some errands.” I glanced up at Neely Kate, who had been watching me.
Neely Kate was bobbing her head, making a shooing motion.
“I can come get you now if you’d like,” I said.
“That would be great.”
I hung up and grabbed my purse out of my drawer. “I’m sorry to run off. Vi needs some help. She’s so weak that she’s not supposed to be driving.”
“Of course. Go. Spend time with Violet.” The while you can was unspoken.
“Is Jed out front yet?” I asked, tilting my head to search for his car.
“No, but he sent Brent. Don’t worry about me. It’s you I’m worried about.”
James had sent Brent to watch over us a few times in the past.
I shook my head. “I’ll be fine. If Charlene goes after anyone, it’s gonna be you. She has the information in that file to use against me,” I said with a wry smile. She started to say something, so I quickly added, “You’re the one who figured out Charlene was at the motel.” I smiled. “Good thinkin’, by the way.”
She beamed. “Thanks.”
“We’ve come a long way.”
* * *
Violet was waiting at the door, and when I pulled into her driveway, she started walking toward the truck.
“Where are the kids?” I called out as I hopped out and ran over to meet her.
“With Mike’s parents.”
That surprised me. “I wouldn’t have minded having them along.”
“I wanted it to be just the two of us.”
“Okay,” I said as I opened the passenger door.
She was so weak she struggled to climb up inside. I grabbed her arm to help her up, resisting the urge to draw my hand back in shock when I realized she was mostly bone covered in skin.
“I can run these errands for you, Vi,” I said. “Maybe you should stay home.”
“I’m tired of staying in a house that’s not really mine. I’m goin’ stir-crazy, and even if I wasn’t, I have to do both of these things myself.”
She was so adamant, I wouldn’t have considered arguing with her, especially because of the way she’d phrased her objection—a house that’s not really mine. When she and Mike had gotten divorced, they’d sold their home. Violet had moved into our childhood home, and Mike had bought a smaller house. They’d reconciled at some point over the course of Violet’s illness, so Mike had insisted that Violet stay in his house with the kids after returning from her treatments in Texas. This was the first time I’d heard she was unhappy with the arrangement.
I let it sit until I got both of us buckled in.
“Would you rather stay at Momma’s old house?” I asked. “Or you’re welcome to come stay with me out at the farm.” At least after I sent my current houseguest on his way.
Her forehead wrinkled. “No, I didn’t mean it that way. Honestly, the only place that would feel like home is my old house with Mike, and that’s not happening.” She gave me a tight grin. “I’m grateful, Rose. I truly am. I’ve been given a second chance with Mike, but some days I long for something familiar. Especially after spending months in that hospital in Houston.”
“I totally understand.” And I did. “If you ever want to just go sit in Momma’s old house, let me know. I know it’s not the same, but you fixed it up the way you liked it. It might be better than nothin’.”
She reached out for my hand, then squeezed. “Thank you.”
“Now where are we goin’?” I asked, pulling out of the drive.
“My attorney’s office.”
That caught me by surprise. “Your new will.”
“Yes. Which is why the kids aren’t with us. I didn’t want to do something so morbid with them around.” Only the way she said it wasn’t entirely convincing. I suspected she didn’t want them to know so they wouldn’t tell Mike.
She gave me directions, then leaned back against the headrest and closed her eyes. They were still closed when I parked in the attorney’s parking lot. I hated to disturb her, but I didn’t think I could run in and handle this for her.
“Violet?” I asked softly.
Her eyes fluttered open and she glanced around. “Are we here already?”
“Yeah.”
She sat up, but I could see it was a struggle. “Then let’s get inside.”
Violet was exhausted by the time we reached the office. I gave the receptionist her name, and the attorney, Mr. Gilliam, came out less than a minute later. He was an older man and he looked concerned at the sight of us, probably because Violet was looking so poorly, but he forced a smile on his face.
“Violet,” he gushed. “So good to see you. Why don’t you come in?”
I helped Violet to her feet. Then she turned to look at me. “You wait out here. I’ll be fine.”
I was slightly taken aback, but she
didn’t wait for me, just followed Mr. Gilliam into his office. He gave me an apologetic look as he shut the door.
Since I had nothing to do, I checked my phone, surprised to see a text from James.
I heard you found Carol Ann’s killer and information about the file. Sit tight while Jed and I take care of it.
Did that mean he was back in town?
Don’t kill her, I sent back.
A half minute later, he sent: I won’t.
I considered asking if he planned to have someone else do it instead, but decided to let it be. I had to trust him at some point, or there would never be any chance of us working out . . . if I said yes, which would be beyond stupid with Mason back watching my every move.
Instead, I mulled over who could have possibly purchased the file from Charlene. I hadn’t heard back from Wagner, so she could have sold it back to him, but I couldn’t see Wagner paying money for his own file. Sure, he might have agreed to a finder’s fee, but I doubted she’d killed Carol Ann for something so paltry. Someone who was a key player would want that file, if for no other reason than that Wagner wanted it. Dermot was out, and I knew James hadn’t bought it. Buck Reynolds might have wanted it, but there was a player I didn’t really know much about.
Denny Carmichael. And Charlene definitely knew him.
I started to text James my theory, but Mr. Gilliam’s office door opened, and Violet appeared in the doorway, looking more peaceful than I’d seen her in months.
“Don’t you worry, Violet,” her attorney said as he walked her toward me, her arm looped over his. “I’ll make sure everything is taken care of.” He gave me a warm smile as they came closer. “You must be Rose.”
“Yes,” I said, taking Violet from him.
He glanced from my sister to me, maybe looking for a resemblance. He wouldn’t find much of one. We looked as different as night and day. “When the time comes, I’ll reach out to you, Rose. You won’t have to do a thing.”
“Thank you,” I said, although I didn’t feel very thankful.
The time. I knew what that meant well enough, and I didn’t want to even imagine it.
Violet patted my hand. “Don’t worry about a thing, Rose.” Then she glanced up at the older man. “Thank you so much, Mr. Gilliam. You’ve put my mind at ease.”
“Of course,” he said. “You spend the time you have left knowin’ everything’s taken care of.”
She nodded, then started for the door. I glanced back at her attorney with a questioning look, but he only gave a grim nod.
As soon as we were outside, I asked, “What was that about?”
“Like I said, I updated my will to make sure you could go on seein’ the kids.”
I glanced back at the building before I opened the truck passenger door. “That seemed like somethin’ more.”
“Mr. Gilliam just likes to make sure he’s dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s. You don’t need to worry about a thing. He’ll contact you after I’m gone.”
I helped her up into the truck. “Don’t talk like that, Vi.”
“About my death?” She gave me a sad smile. “It’s comin’ whether any of us wants to acknowledge it or not.”
“Still . . .”
“I don’t want to pretend I’m not dying. Knowin’ I’m dying is what helps me keep the important things in focus.” She laid her head back on the headrest. “Now take me to the nursery.”
“Maybe we should just go back to your house, Vi.”
“The nursery is the closest thing I have to home right now, and I really want to see it.”
I teared up as I shut her door. We were silent on the short drive, and I was sure she’d fallen asleep again. I considered texting Maeve to let her know we were coming, but I didn’t want to text and drive, and I worried I’d wake Violet up if I pulled over.
When I parked in front of the building, Violet’s eyes cracked open and a satisfied smile spread across her face.
I got out and walked around to the passenger side to help her out, but the front door opened seconds after I set my feet on the ground.
Maeve hurried out. “Violet’s come to visit?” she asked in surprise.
“She said she wanted to see the nursery. That it felt most like home,” I said, choking on the words.
Maeve moved up next to me and wrapped an arm around my upper back, squeezing me to her side. “Then we’ll give her a taste of home.”
“She’s weak and exhausted,” I said. “She’s gonna need to sit down.”
A knowing smile tipped up Maeve’s mouth. “We’ve got it covered.” Then she opened the passenger door and a huge smile lit up her face. “Violet, what a wonderful surprise!”
“I hope I’m not disrupting your day, Maeve.”
“Disrupting? How can you suggest such a thing? We’re thrilled you’re here.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Aren’t we, Anna?”
“You betcha, Miss Maeve.”
I turned, surprised to see Anna was standing behind me with a bright smile of her own.
“Violet,” Anna said, clasping her hands in front of her, “we’ve got a spot inside for you to sit and to rest your feet if you want. We made it special for you.”
Violet slid out of the truck, and Maeve and I each took an arm and helped her inside. I gasped when I saw what Anna was talking about. An Adirondack chair had been set up in the back corner of the retail space, close to a window that overlooked the parking lot full of colorful flowers. The chair itself was surrounded by a gurgling fountain and pots bursting with brightly colored flowers.
“We even got you a footstool so you can put your feet up,” Anna said with a shy smile.
Violet’s chin quivered. “It’s so beautiful. Thank you.”
“Do you want to try it out?” Anna asked.
“I’m worried if I sit, I’ll take a nap.”
“There’s no harm in that,” Maeve said, “unless you need to get back.”
“No, the kids are gone all afternoon.” She glanced over at me. “Would you mind? I feel peaceful here.”
“Mind? Of course not.”
Violet said, “But I might be here awhile, and I know you have things to do.”
“She can come back,” Maeve said. “Or I can take you home. We’ll work out the details later. You just make yourself comfortable.”
Violet still hesitated. She was worried about me.
“If you don’t sit in that chair, then I’ll steal it from you,” I said. “Sit.”
Violet laughed, but it sounded thin and weak. “If you insist.”
We helped her down into the chair, and Anna put a footstool under her feet. Violet closed her eyes and released a sigh. “This is my happy place.”
“I’m so thrilled you like it,” Anna said, smiling ear to ear.
“In case you missed it,” Maeve said with a laugh, “this was Anna’s idea.”
Violet glanced up at her. “Thank you. I absolutely love it.”
“Would you like a cup of tea?” Maeve asked. “I was getting ready to make myself one.”
“That would be lovely.”
Maeve held my gaze, then flicked her eyes to the storeroom entrance.
I followed her back there, feeling even more nervous and jittery than I had earlier, with a confessed murderer in my car and her momma holding a shotgun pointed at us. My last conversation with Mason was fresh on my mind, and I had no doubt she wanted to talk about it.
“I hope you don’t mind her comin’ by,” I said once we were in the back room.
“Mind? We’re thrilled to see you both, not to mention you both own the place.”
“I know, but . . .”
“It sounds like she needed a taste of something familiar,” Maeve said, filling the electric kettle with water from the sink. “Something like her old normal.”
“Yeah.”
“I know you and Mason talked yesterday afternoon.” When I glanced down at the floor, she added, “And I heard it didn’t go well.”
“We know how to push each other’s buttons,” I said. “That’s how we met, you know. Tempers flyin’.”
She gave a sad smile. “I remember.” Setting the kettle on the stand, she said, “I’m embarrassed about coming to your office yesterday morning. Obviously I had no idea that he was intending to move back to town. I caused all that unnecessary drama and worry . . .” She stared at the kettle. “I hope you don’t think less of me.”
“Maeve, how could I think less of you? You were being thoughtful by letting me know.” I released a short laugh. “And as for the drama, well, my emotional breakdown was the source of most of it.”
“Don’t you feel badly about that.”
“Well, I’m thrilled it was a false alarm. I don’t want you to leave.”
“Even if Mason movin’ back is part of that package?”
I took a breath. “As far as I’m concerned, they are two totally different things.”
“So you are upset he’s moving back.”
How much should I tell her? She knew a thing or two about the risks I’d taken last winter, and she’d given me her full support. But that had been because I was saving her son’s life. Now was an entirely different matter. “We both spoke some cross words yesterday,” I conceded. “And he let me know he was unhappy with me, so yes, I’m worried about running into him, but that has absolutely no bearing on how I feel about you. However, he’s your son and some of the things he said led me to believe that he won’t want you associating with me, so I understand if you want to take a step or two back.”
“What did he say?”
“Never you mind about that,” I said. “I’m a big girl and I can take it. I just don’t want you to feel like you’re being forced to choose a side, because if you do, then you obviously need to choose your son.”
She studied me for a long moment. “Does this have anything to do with what you did last winter?”
“Maeve . . .”
“Does it?”
“In a way.”
She turned from me. “I’m sorry.”
“You have absolutely nothing to be sorry about. We both know Mason can only see black and white when it comes to the law. There’s no changin’ that.”
Hell in a Handbasket: Rose Gardner Investigations #3 Page 28
