Page 86 of Just Between Us

He turned back, and we both looked at his little sister.

“It’s what I rushed over here to tell you.” She slowly shook her head. “You will not believe what Red Sullivan just told me.”

TWENTY-FIVE

ROYAL

The drive to Haven Pines,the assisted-living facility on the outskirts of town, was spent in tense silence. An hour after I’d bid Veda farewell and crawled back into bed, my phone was blowing up with texts and calls.

JP insisted I get my ass down to the office immediately.

Relieved to see Veda was safe and fine, I met my brother and a frantic-looking MJ.

“Let’s go.” JP motioned to his vehicle, and we all piled in.

When Veda tucked herself into my side in the back seat, my chest swelled. “So what’s up?”

“You’re not going to believe this,” MJ said as she swiveled from the front seat. “Veda dropped abombthat Bowlegs may not be as dead as we’d assumed.” Her finger shot up. “But she’s not the only one. I was working my shift at Haven Pines when Red Sullivan said something that stuck with me. Heknowssomething.”

My skin prickled. “Isn’t he losing his mind?”

MJ flattened me with a look. “He has early-onset dementia, but he’s doing really well. He participated in a drug trial that changed everything for him.” She pointed a finger at me. “Be. Nice.”

I raised my hands in silent apology. I wasn’t trying to be a dick, but if we were rallying the troops for some kind of revelation, I wanted to be sure the source was accurate.

“Pull down that road.” MJ pointed past the main building and down a long winding driveway that led to what looked like a small neighborhood.

“I thought he lived in the memory care wing?” JP asked.

“Hedid. Like I said, he’s doing really well. He lives in a semi-independent home now. But, to be fair, his memory can still be shaky. I freaked out after our conversation this morning and had to tellsomeone.”

“So what did he say?” Veda asked, and I patted her knee.

MJ chewed her lip. “I think maybe you need to hear it from him. It might help you connect some of the dots on your mystery board.”

I frowned and studied Veda’s profile.Mystery board?Still, I was grateful to be a part of whatever mystery mission we were on.

My sister directed JP where to park, and he stopped in the small driveway. MJ turned in her seat. “I think maybe Veda and I should talk to him alone. Sometimes things like dates and timelines are a bit fuzzy, and I don’t want to overwhelm him. I don’t know that he’s quite ready to talk to a King yet.”

“You’re a King.” I scoffed and gestured toward MJ.

“I’m hisfriend,” she said. “There’s a difference.”

“I’ll stay back,” JP offered. “Be the lookout.”

I smirked at his joke. It was uncommon for JP to let his rigid demeanor soften.

“Well, I’m going in,” I said and exited the car.

MJ and Veda followed, climbing out of the vehicle and standing in front of the small white house with green shutters.

“I’ll do the talking.” MJ exhaled. “Veda, can you take notes?”

Veda tapped her temple. “I’m on it.”

With a nod, MJ knocked on the door. After a moment Red Sullivan pulled open his front door, and a huge smile spread across his face as he recognized my little sister.

“Well, hey there. Do I know you?” He was tall and broad and strong. His blue eyes twinkled with delight.

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