Page 100 of Just Between Us

He looked down at me in confusion. “What the fuck are you talking about?” Russell growled and his head swiveled, sweeping over heavy darkness that seeped through the swaying trees.

“Oh, did I not mention that? Shit, I’m sorry.” I pointed to the small jeweled brooch at my shoulder. In the center was a tiny camera.

Russell’s eyes zeroed in on the camera. He stammered and stumbled two steps backward.

“This thing is really handy.” I shakily got to my feet and planted my hands on my hips. “They make cameras so small these days.”

“You can’t do that.” Russell continued to retreat as panic seeped in. “You cannot record someone without their permission!” His hands were waving wildly. “Nothing I said is admissible.”

I grimaced and scrunched my nose. “Oh, actually youcan. Didn’t do your research on that, I guess,” I mocked, bravery filling my soul. “You see, in Michigan you can record a conversation you are a part of without permission of the other individual. You brought me here to talk so ...” I raised my palms and looked around. “Say hi.”

The crunch of boots on the limestone path grew closer, and my resolve strengthened.

Russell looked at Bowlegs as he pointed at me. “Get her the fuck out of here. Take care of it!”

I glanced at Bowlegs, who didn’t move and only stared at his boss. The hard lines in his face deepened, but he didn’t move toward me.

In his panicked retreat, Russell tripped and fell backward, slamming into the soupy mud. He scrambled to his feet as police officers came into view with their weapons drawn.

“Police! Hands where I can see them!” An officer had her weapon pointed directly at him. Russell turned and ran toward the tree line in an attempt to flee, but the electric crack of a Taser broke through the air. I watched in sick fascination as he crumpled to the ground.

Chaos erupted around us.

From the tree line, my eyes caught sight of Royal running across the limestone path. His gait was hobbled by his cast, but he was laser focused on barreling toward me. His muscles strained as he pushed through the officers. He leaped over a log, and as soon as his arms wrapped around me, I crumpled to my knees and sobbed.

THIRTY-ONE

ROYAL

My knees sankinto the mud as Veda fell apart and I held her.

My heart pounded as orders were barked and yelling swirled around us. She was small and fragile in my arms, and I wrapped myself around her. My father was hauled to his feet after being stunned by the Taser. His khaki chinos were covered in mud, and he’d pissed himself.

Officers walked Bowlegs away in handcuffs, his head hung low.

Veda’s chin tipped up, a tear creating a clean path through the smudge of dirt on her cheek. “I’m sorry, Royal. I am so sorry.” She broke down again, repeating the wordsI’m sorryover and over.

I held her close and hummed. We rocked, and I tried to calm her in whatever way I could. Anger boiled inside me, but she was safe, and I forced myself to focus on that simple fact.

Veda’s hand swiped across her face and under her nose. “He said it. Out loud.”

I studied her pinched features, trying to make sense of what she was telling me.

Her chin wobbled. “He took your mother’s life. She’s gone.”

Emotion swelled and burned in my nose. My jaw flexed. I nodded and held her closer, unable to speak.

We finally know the truth.

From behind me, footsteps drew my attention, and I turned to see Abel and a man I didn’t recognize shaking hands with a police officer. I carefully adjusted Veda, helping her to her feet. Abel and the man approached.

“Royal,” Abel said. “This is John Cannon, the PI who’s been working Mom’s case.”

I shook the man’s hand. John was tall and broad. Though his jaw was set, his green eyes gave away a weariness that he’d seen a lot in his time as a private investigator.

I wrapped my arm around Veda’s waist. “This is?—”

John held his hand out for Veda. “Good work, Miss Bauer. You were incredible.”

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