Page 19 of Trailer Trash

Panic demanded Ido something, but there was nothing Icoulddo. I was at her mercy, and we both knew it.

Kate ran her finger over Jed’s jaw. I wanted to snap it. “Did she tell you about Beasley?”

Jed didn’t say anything.

“So . . . you’re a man of few words. You must be a man ofaction.” Her finger brushed over his lip. “Maybe we can work out a deal. It’s verylonelyin here.”

I expected Jed to shake her off like a flea, but he just stood there and let her touch him.

“So, you’re here to find out more about the Murray portfolio, are you? Since you’re here with Neely Kate, and my sister has befriended that terrible woman, Rose, I bet you work for James Malcolm.”

I was surprised she knew Skeeter’s real first name. No one but Rose used it.

“Tell Mr. Malcolm,” she continued, “I have needs that aren’t being met here. If he can help supply resources to fulfill those needs, I think we can work out an exchange.”

He glanced down at the desk. “Make a list, and I’ll let him know.”

She shook her head with a sly grin. “I couldn’t possibly come up with a list in so little time. Come back next week, and I’ll give it to you. Bring my sister with you.” She reached up on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on Jed’s chin. “See you two next week.”

Then she sashayed out of the room.

“Okay,” Jed said as though she hadn’t nearly sexually assaulted him. “Let’s go.”

I stared up at him in disbelief.

“She’s not coming back, and the less time we’re here, the less likely we are to get caught.”

What he said made total sense, yet something was irritating the crap out of me. I told myself it wasn’t because Kate had come on to him so strong. Itdefinitelywasn’t because I was pissed that he hadn’t shrugged her off.

I almost believed it.

I got out of the chair and started around the desk before realizing Jed wasn’t following me. I turned around and found him still standing behind the desk, holding my bag in his hand.

“What do you have in here anyway?” he asked, hefting it up and down.

The room suddenly felt like it was too hot and tight.

“None of your business.” I marched back and snatched the bag from him. “Let’s go.”

I stormed out, bolting back the way we’d come. When I made it to the elevator, I repeatedly jabbed the down button, hoping I could make my escape before Jed showed up.

I should have known better.

“I know you’re disappointed,” he said quietly.

“Is that what you think I am?” I snapped. What the hell was wrong with me? I’d come to get answers and barely gotten anything other than the demand I come back every week and the news that Beasley was out of jail.

How was Beasley out of jail?

But I hadn’t expected any real answers. Kate only spoke in riddles. This was just a last-ditch effort to find out what I could before I left.

The elevator doors opened. I entered the empty space with Jed on my heels, and he pressed the button for the lobby.

When the doors closed, he turned to me. “Who is Beasley?”

“None of your business.”

“Did you ever think maybe I could help you?”

---