Page 91 of Just Between Us

But instead of breaking her, I got the sense that it made her stronger.

Bug raised a hand and a hush fell over the group of women. She lifted her chin. “There are some things that need to be discussed tonight. But first”—she looked around the room—“I need to know that whatever is shared here this evening does not leave the Bluebirds.”

A murmur of agreement and nods floated through the crowd of women. Tootie Sullivan stood next to Bug in a silent show of support.

“I have known many of you for a very long time. Others”—she looked at me—“I’m only beginning to know. But we’re all Bluebirds. That means we’re bonded.” Bug’s hands clasped in front of her. “For a long time I thought that what I didn’t know couldn’t hurt those I loved.” She sighed. “I couldn’t have been more wrong. My intentional ignorance has hurt those I hold most dearly. It’s time to stop pretending. It’s time to uncover the truth.” Her eyes glittered with emotion. “But I need your help.” Her hands fell. “I don’t know what to do.”

MJ had a hand pressed to her heart as she listened to her aunt’s plea.

Tootie stepped forward. “Whatever it is, we’re in it together. Start from the beginning.”

With a resolute breath, Bug stood tall. “My brother, Russell King, is not the man he pretends to be. Most of you remember that his wife left many years ago, leaving the children behind. As it turns out, my brother has been leading a double life.”

Soft gasps floated through the shocked crowd.

“He has a wife and children in another state,” she continued. “More shockingly, new information has come to light ... information that makes our family question the safety of Maryann King.”

Tootie clasped Bug’s hand and squeezed. My eyes were transfixed on their connection—two women from sides sworn against each other, uniting in friendship. “What can we do to help?”

Bug gestured toward me. “Veda?”

My eyes widened, but I slowly stood. I glanced over at Sylvie who smiled and nodded in encouragement. I made my way toward the front of the room.

I cleared my throat and adopted my most competent boardroom voice. “Hi. I’m Veda Bauer. I have been assisting the Kings, specifically in uncovering information about King Equities. Ms. Bug is correct—things are not entirely as they seem. Currently we’re gathering additional information regarding the whereabouts of Maryann King. If you have any information you think is important, please say something. Something you saw, old rumors, business dealings—anything at all can be the key to unlocking what could have happened to her.”

I stepped back to be in line with Bug.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

From the back, a woman stood and placed a hand over her heart. “Bug, we’re in it together.”

My chest pinched.

Another stood, her hand across her chest. “We’re in it together.”

One by one the women stood, each placing a hand over her heart. “In it together.”

I grinned to ward off the tears.

With the Bluebirds united, Russell King didn’t stand a chance.

TWENTY-SEVEN

ROYAL

Holy shit.

The Bluebird Book Club was something else. Veda had come home to recount what had happened at the club. She was vague about the details—an oath of silence, she called it—but the gist was that they were committed to helping my family uncover the truth while simultaneously taking my father down a peg or two.

In a matter of days they’d arranged for a huge billboard on the most traveled street in town to be erected with my mother’s smiling face andMaryann Kingemblazoned across it in bold letters, along with a plea asking for any information about her disappearance.

For one, it infuriated my father, and I expected that was exactly the point. He had already gone to JP, demanding it be removed. JP agreed in order to placate him and vowed he was doing everything in his power to have the billboard removed. In reality, he planned to do nothing but let our father stew.

After Veda dropped the bomb that Bowlegs might still be alive and posing as his brother, I realized that nothing was as it seemed in our small town.

Having Veda safe and at my home full-time was a comfort I didn’t know I craved. Inside those walls, she was mine and I was hers.

Old memories scratched at my skull. Childhood fears of being left behind came knocking, but when they did, I pushed them down and locked them away.

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