Page 16 of Trailer Trash

As he pulled into the parking lot, I realized I hadn’t worked out a plan to get the answers to my questions, but was there really any planning when it came to Kate? I’d be lucky to get anything out of her other than taunting and vague hints. But I also knew that Jed was going to hear whatever Kate told me. I shouldn’t care . . . yet I did.

When Jed parked, I reached into the back seat and grabbed my bag. I suspected this was where I’d be parting ways with Jed. He just didn’t know it yet.

“Why don’t you leave the bag in the car?” he asked.

“What would be the point of bringing it just to leave it in the car?” I asked, hauling it onto my lap.

“Exactly. What was the point of bringing it?”

I released a sound of frustration. “And what’s the point of wearing sexy T-shirts?”

“That’s twice now that you’ve mentioned my shirt,” he said with a satisfied grin.

“And that’s twice now that you’ve mentioned my bag. What’s your point?”

He just watched me with a cocky look, and I felt my resolve weaken.

Dang it. What was it about this man that got under my skin? I pushed the door open, my usual irritation around him resurfacing. “Let’s get this over with.”

I started toward the hospital entrance with Jed on my heels. I was getting hit with anxiety from all fronts—facing Kate, especially with Jed at my side, was worry number one. But after our visit, I needed to figure out how to ditch Jed and get to the bus stop. I’d mapped the route from a nearby bus stop to the Greyhound station. But on top of all that, I was beginning to worry about how Rose would react when she found the note. How would she take me leaving? Would it hurt her feelings? Would she try to find me?

One worry at a time.

Jed’s long legs helped him catch up to me in seconds. By the time we were in the hospital, he was leading the way. He even knew which floor to push on the elevator.

When we reached the psych floor, he pulled out his phone and sent a text. Then he ushered me down a hall and away from the entrance. Less than a minute later, a door opened and a young woman’s head popped out.

Jed saw her as soon as I did. He put his hand at the small of my back and hurried me through the door.

“Did you get it worked out?” Jed asked as the door shut behind us, enclosing us in a short hallway.

The woman smiled at him. “Yeah. I’m going to take you to the room before I bring her in.”

Jed nodded. “Did you find out anything about the letters?”

“Not specifically about the letters, but I think I know how she’s getting them out.”

Jed gave her a look that suggested she should go on.

“There’s an environmental services employee who started working this unit about a month ago.” She glanced up at Jed. “You said that was when mail started arriving from her?”

“Close enough. I’m going to need a name and any information you have on him.”

Her hand slipped into her pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. “Already done.”

She was pretty—a dark complexion with dark hair and eyes. I shouldn’t have been surprised by the look of appreciation that filled Jed’s eyes as he took the sheet and opened it, but jealousy burned through my veins anyway. I quickly stomped it down. Even if I was interested in Jed, I wasn’t stupid enough to think it would be more than a fling. Jealousy was . . . unwise, to say the least.

“Can we just get this over with?” Irritation seeped into my words.

Jed narrowed his eyes, but he folded the paper and stuffed it into his pocket. “Show us to the room.”

It was showtime.

Chapter 6

The nurse checkedthe door opposite the one we’d used to enter the small space, then motioned for us to follow.

We slipped out the door and into a longer hallway, moving away from the waiting room. She opened a door and motioned for us to go in. As soon as we did, she shut us inside, and I couldn’t help but feel trapped.

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