Page 107 of Best Laid Plans

"I can't. These are state charges. I can't interfere. State dollars are partially funding Sentinel Heights, you know that. I couldn't stop the involvement of law enforcement even when I thought it was Nova who embezzled," I explained.

"What does that mean?"

I smiled then and spoke honestly, "That I would've protected her."

She scoffed. "Right!"

"No, Bailey, I'd already decided to extricate her from that mess. I'd set it up with Kiefer to make that happen. But you, on the other hand, will have to deal with the consequences. I can't do anything about the shit you, Alma, and Pete pulled all those years ago, but trust me, y'all will pay."

I believed in checks and balances. I believed in being held responsible for our actions.

"What does that mean?" she challenged.

"It means you're going to jail, Bailey. Pete is being investigated, as you probably know, 'cause I know you're still fuckin' him, especially now that Maria has finally kicked him out."

She straightened, understanding that I probably had kept eyes on her and Pete, which I had.

"Now, my sister, I got no choice, yeah? It'd hurt Mama if Alma got what she deserved, so I'm only kicking her out of Larue Mansion and closing down any access to money that isn't hers. Like you, she cares about that, so, I know it's goin' to hurt her."

"Is that bitch worth it?" Tears shined in Bailey's eyes.

She'd walked in with confidence, certain that she'd bend me to her will. Her tears were born out of frustration and anger, not sadness.

"You call her a bitch again, Bailey, and I'll make sure your stay in prison ain't goin' to be fun."

She chortled. "I'm not goin' to prison. I already have a deal with the GBI."

I thought about it for a moment, and then burst out laughing. "Christ, Bailey. You sellin' out, Pete?"

This explained so much about Agent Fancie talking to Nova. Bailey was turning state's witness against Pete. They'd probably prefer to get him, a sheriff, over his moll.

She stood up. "Find a way to get me out of this, Anson, or I'll sell you out, too."

"Feel free," I remarked.

When she was at my door, I called out to her, "And, Bailey, don't ever come back here or anywhere I am, ever again."

She threw her hair back like she was in a shampoo commercial. "Anson, do you really think that you're goin' to get away with this? You think Pete's not going to come after you and your slut?"

"Pete's goin' to be too busy not bending over for some guy called Bubba in a Federal penitentiary," I jeered. "Now, get out and stay out."

But after she left, I called Diego and asked him to reach out to his GBI friend, and get a status on Pete.

It took fifteen minutes before Diego was in my office, concern marring his face. "He's disappeared. They can't find him," he announced.

"Pete?"

"Yeah. They have a warrant for his arrest, but he's gone."

"Ask them to talk to Bailey. She was just here." I opened my phone and forwarded the audio recording I made of my conversation with Bailey to Diego. "Take that to your friend."

Diego checked his messages and saw the audio recording. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Yeah. I can't remember if she said anything truly incriminating, but she threatened Nova and me with the wrath of Pete," I muttered.

"I'll get it over to the GBI. Are you ready for our meeting with the builders for the Augusta development? They're waitin'."

I nodded. "Yeah. Give me five, and I'll come into the conference room."

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