Page 130 of For the Birds

She answered with, “Rose. I was gettin’ worried.”

“I know where he is, Neely Kate,” I said with tears in my voice. I needed to convince her so she’d let this go, and the only way to do that was to make her think we’d found Scooter. “I foundhim.”

I heard her tell Witt, “She found him.” Then she said to me, “Where?”

“I’ll explain it all to you later, okay? I need to take care of something first. Just sit tight and wait for me to let you know.” As I hung up, I realized I’d reenacted the vision I’d had earlier, even if it had been unintentional. But if that vision came true, I felt even more panicked over my vision of Skeeter dying.

I tried calling James again, but it went straight to voicemail.

Dangit.

I was considering taking Jed’s car and driving to the pool hall myself when my phone vibrated with a text from James.

I need to seeyou.

I rapidly texted back. I need to see you too. You’re not safe. I just had a vision that you were murdered. Callme.

There was a pause for nearly ten seconds. Can’t talk now. I’m sending Merv to get you. Where areyou?

I considered telling him, but with Merv and Jed having their dispute, I didn’t want to risk it. I’ll have Jed bringme.

It will distract Merv. They’re at odds and I need Merv on top of hisgame.

I can come toyou.

No. Then seconds later he sent: I’m in a secret location. I need you to come withMerv.

Was he in a safe house? I could see him not wanting to give me directions if that was the case. Bottom line was that I needed to see him, even if I had to endure Merv to doso.

Okay. Tell Merv to pick me up at the gas station at the corner of County Roads 5 and 66. I can be there in five minutes.

Thankyou.

I considered sending Jed a text but decided to wait, figuring he might turn back and try to take me to James himself. What Jed was doing was more important. Finding Scooter was the surest way to endthis.

The gas station was a short walk down the road. Thankfully, clouds had filled the sky and the wind had cooled things down. The sun was setting, casting everything in an unearthly orange tone. When I got to the gas station, I was surprised to see Merv already parked in the corner of the lot, his car idling.

I opened the back door but didn’t slide in yet. “How’d you get here sofast?”

“I was already on this side of town. Skeeter’s not far from here. Climb in so we can go seehim.”

“Where is he? The poolhall?”

“No. Get in and I’ll tellyou.”

“Why don’t you tell menow?”

“Because I think you’re workin’ with Carlisle, and Skeeter doesn’t want him toknow.”

I called James again, wanting to verify that he’d really asked for me, but it went straight to voicemail. That left me unsettled. He never turned off his phone. And I would have expected him to keep his phone on in case I texted. There was a lot about this situation that felt wrong, but I needed to get to James, and going with Merv was the surest and fastest way to do that. I felt like a traitor leaving Jed behind, but it made sense to split up in this instance. I climbed into the backseat and shut thedoor.

“Where is he?” I asked.

“He’s at the fertilizer plant.”

“That place has seen plenty of action the last fewdays.”

He didn’t respond.

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