Page 92 of Family Jewels

“I can’t tell you. If you or anyone else shows up, he says he’s going to blab.”

“If you let me go, I’ll make sure that never happens.”

“No. No violence.”

“Rose, he’s threatening you. He’s threateningyour life. He’s already brought violence into it.”

“He just wants my help. He asked me to come and help him, and I told him no. Then he pulled out his threat to get me to come. Alone.”

“He didn’t want Neely Kate to come too?”

“No. He asked me to come alone.”

“Something’s not right here. He’s up to something—and it’s nothing good.”

“I can’tnotgo.” The fertilizer plant came into view, and my heart thudded wildly against my chest. “I’m about to turn into the place. I need to hang up.”

“No.Do not hang up.”

His voice was so commanding I jumped in my seat. “James, I’m not telling you where I’m meeting him.”

“Just keep me on the line and let me hear what’s going on. Then if you feel like you need me, I’ll step in, but I have to know where you are so I can be ready. Otherwise, I might not get there in time.”

“You won’t come in unless I tell you to?”

“You’re calling the shots, Lady.”

Did I believe him? He’d trusted my judgment when I was the Lady in Black, and he hadn’t lied to me yet. “I don’t know how carefully he’s watching, so you can’t get too close. There’s a gas station across the street where you can park.”

“Fine. Agreed.” I heard the ding of his car as he opened the door. “Now tell me where.”

“I’m meeting him at the fertilizer plant, but I’m not sure where yet.”

“You got your gun?”

I glanced over at my purse. “Yeah.” I turned the corner onto the cracked asphalt and headed toward the small complex of buildings. Raddy hadn’t told me where to meet him, but I wasn’t surprised to see an old car parked out in front of a smaller office building. “It looks like he’s hanging out in the old office.”

“It makes sense. If he’s paranoid, he’s gonna want a more controlled environment so he can see who’s coming and going. But he didn’t take into account the fact that he’s basically trapped.”

“You’re not gonna come storming in, are you?” I asked.

“Not unless you ask me to, but try to get him to meet you outside. If you go in, you could become a hostage. Or worse.”

As I pulled up behind the old car and parked, I didn’t want to let my mind wander toor worse. But I was sure as shooting going to take my gun. I checked the clip, then said, “I’m about to go in. I’m going to put the phone in my jeans pocket so you won’t be able to talk to me.”

“We need a code word,” James said. “For when you want me to jump in.”

I thought for a second. “Blue cheese,” I said. “I’d never say that otherwise.”

“Blue cheese it is.” I heard a grin in his voice. “Jed usually picks something like ace of hearts, or 1957 T-bird.”

“I’ll remember that for next time,” I said as I stuffed the gun into the back of my jeans, hoping there wouldn’t be a next time. I’d worn a fitted T-shirt, and the bulge at the small of my back was noticeable. I only hoped it was dark enough that Raddy wouldn’t see it. “I’m getting out now,” I said. “So you need to stop talking.”

“Rose,” he said, his voice insistent. “Be careful.”

“I will.”

Chapter 20

---