Page 31 of Call Back

I’d asked as an offhanded comment. I’d never expected her to confirm it. But it made so much sense—Roy’s attempts to drive me out of town, including the fifty-thousand-dollar bribe he’d offered me, and his violent rampage at my apartment after Brady had gone to his office asking questions about the past.

“Do you know how hard I’ve had to work to be taken seriously at my firm?” he’d asked. “I had to practically beg Bill to hire me, and I’ve had to work my ass off to get him to trust me. Three years, Magnolia, three fucking years I’ve kissed that man’s ass.”

In response to my suggestion that he find another job, he’d said, “I don’t want to work anywhere else. I want to work at JS Investments, and you are ruining everything, Magnolia. Just like you’ve always ruined everything.”

Somehow Roy had convinced Bill James to let him step into Daddy’s shoes. But more horrifying than that was the fact that sweet Belinda seemed to know all about it—worse, she was protecting him.

Belinda clasped my hand, her fingers digging in. “Promise me you’ll leave this alone.”

Only a few days ago, I’d gotten angry with her for staying with my brother despite his obvious abuse. Holy crap. How had I not seen it? Roy wouldn’t let her go because she could destroy him. “If you know that Roy is doing illegal things, you could go to prison too,” I said. “But if he’s questioned by police, they can’t make you testify.”

Her eyes filled with panic.

I squeezed her hand. “I can help you, Belinda. Brady’s a police officer. We’ll get you away from Roy and keep you safe.”

“No!” she said, jerking her hand from mine. “I’m exactly where I want to be. I told you I have an exit plan. I asked you to trust me, and you told me you would. Has that changed?”

She’d said as much to me last week, after I’d confronted her about my brother’s obvious abuse. I had to wonder about her exit strategy. Was she collecting evidence to use against Roy? “No,” I said. “I still trust you.” But that only meant I wouldn’t hound her to leave Roy. I had no plans to stop investigating—if anything, it strengthened my resolution to keep going.

Relief washed over her and she reached over and squeezed my hand. “Thank you.”

“But if you change your mind—”

“I won’t.”

I had to force myself to smile. Belinda was one of the few friends I had here in Franklin, and in the short time I’d known her, I’d become very attached. I couldn’t stand the thought of losing her.

“What a lovely necklace,” she said. “Is it new? I don’t remember seeing you wear it.”

“Brady gave it to me last night.”

She was surprisingly quiet.

“Do you have a wedding this weekend?” I asked.

“On Friday,” she said, looking grateful for the change in subject. “But I’m going to a masquerade ball on Saturday.”

“In Nashville?”

“No. Here in Franklin. It’s a fundraiser for Middle Tennessee Children’s Charity. They raise money to help lower income children. The guest list is impressive.”

“Oh,” I said, recognizing the name of the charity. “The Belles are catering that event. I didn’t realize it was a masquerade ball. In April? Aren’t those usually in October?”

“They have masquerade balls in New Orleans during Mardi Gras,” she said, picking up her cup of coffee. “So why not?”

When we walked outside the restaurant, Belinda pulled me into a tight hug. “Why don’t you take some time off? Maybe go visit a friend for a long weekend? What about your friend traveling with Wicked? Isn’t she in Minneapolis right now?”

I pulled away to study her face. “Omaha, and what are you talking about? Why?”

“It’s just that you’ve been through so much the month you’ve been home. Maybe you should get away and breathe a little before you come back and deal with your momma’s imminent passing.” She cringed. “I’m sorry. That was tactless.”

I shook my head. “No. It’s true. She’s dying. Which is exactly why I can’t go anywhere. I need to be here.”

She hugged me again. “I love you, Magnolia,” she whispered in my ear. “I just want you to be safe.” Then she abruptly dropped her hold, spun on her feet, and hurried off in the direction of her wedding planning office.

I straightened my back as I watched her run away from me. She didn’t have to handle my brother alone. She was my family now. I’d help her even if she didn’t think she wanted help.

I’d parked my car behind the catering office, so I walked the few blocks to Ava’s and then headed around the house. When I rapped on the back door, Ava opened it before I had to knock a second time.

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