Page 98 of Call Back

Chapter 20

“Why did he target Emily?” Colt asked, obviously still in shock.

I’d told him there was a serial killer, and while I wasn’t ready to confess everything, I needed to tell him something. I held on to myself tighter. “Because of me.”

“You? Why?”

I shrugged. “Maybe because she was my attorney, and I’m a bit ‘notorious.’” I used air quotes to emphasize my point.

“That seems like a stretch.”

“Nevertheless, Brady confirmed there’s a link.”

That got his attention. “What link?”

“He was vague about the details,” I lied, surprised that I really did want to tell him. Who would have thought that once I uncorked my decade-old secret by spilling the beans to my mother, I’d end up wanting to word-vomit my story to everyone. But that wasn’t entirely true. I wanted to tell Colt because, despite his admission that he had an ulterior motive for working with me, I knew deep in my soul that he was my friend.

“That’s bullshit, Magnolia!” he said. “You have a right to know!”

I didn’t answer.

He pushed out a frustrated sigh. “Does he think you’ll be a target next?”

“He doesn’t know.”

He sat up, looking agitated. “Then what the hell are you doing working at Ava’s Bible study? Why aren’t you under police protection?”

I gave him a tiny grin. “Can you imagine if Ava tangled with a serial killer? The serial killer wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“I’m serious, Magnolia.”

“And so am I. Honestly, I think her death stare would be enough to do him in.”

He grinned in spite of himself, but it quickly fell away. “I planned to go to Chattanooga tomorrow morning, but now I think I should stick around.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You have to look for the gold.”

“The gold’s not much good if you’re dead.”

“Why, Colt Austin,” I teased, “if you’re not careful, I might start to think you actually have feelings for me.”

He didn’t smile, but he didn’t look away either. And that scared the crap out of me.

I broke eye contact first. “I need to get to Alvin’s. I’m going to be late.”

“We didn’t get your car.”

I shook my head as I stood. “I’ll get it later.”

“I’d help you after you get off,” he said, remaining on the sofa, “but I have something else going on tonight.”

“Something that has to do with the gold?”

“No.”

I waited a beat before saying, “You’re not going to tell me what it is?”

“It doesn’t have anything to do with you.”

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