Page 132 of Trouble Comes in Threes

“But you did inadvertently.” He paused. “I take it your husband’s not home yet.”

“You think I’m in danger?”

“I didn’t when I thought this was all Sloan, but now…”

“You are?” I pressed.

“I’m gonna send Jed to stay with you.”

“Dermot, one more thing.” I hesitated, feeling like I was betraying Joe’s trust, but his concern over my well-being assured me I could trust him. “Joe’s sending a deputy to talk to Darlene. The deputy he’s sending is a really nice, caring guy.”

“You think I’d be stupid enough to do something to a sheriff’s deputy?” he asked with a chuckle.

“Of course not,” I assured him. “I’m just saying there’s a good chance she’ll open up to him and tell him everything she told me. If that happens, you two might cross paths.”

He paused. “Thanks for the info.”

“You’re welcome.”

I hung up and went back into the kitchen, Neely Kate’s gaze tracking me as I entered the room and took my seat. Everyone was still sitting at the table, eating their dinner. Liam was already covered in spaghetti sauce, and based on the sauce smeared on the floor, half his food had dropped there—where Muffy was sitting in wait.

“Jed’s coming over soon,” I said, picking up my fork.

“Uncle Jed’s comin’ to see us?” Hope asked, sounding excited.

“Hey!” Witt protested. “What am I? Chopped liver?”

“What’s chopped liver?” Mikey asked, his face scrunched up.

“Something disgusting,” Ashley said.

Hope’s eyes widened. “I don’t think youwa disgustin’, Uncle Witt.”

“Well, thank you, Hopey,” he said with a laugh.

I turned to Neely Kate and said, “Dermot had a chat with Hugo Dempsey.”

Her eyes grew round as she realized what that meant. “You’re kiddin’.”

“Nope, and Hugo gave Dermot the name of his new friend. Dermot’s gonna pay him a visit.”

“That’s good news,” she said, looking cautious. “But he’s still sending Jed to come hang out with us?”

“Yeah.”

I expected Witt to protest that he was all the muscle we needed, but instead he engaged the kids in playful banter during the rest of dinner.

After we finished eating, Witt took the kids into the living room while Neely Kate and I cleaned up. Now that little ears weren’t around, I told her more about Dermot’s call. It had been nearly forty-five minutes since I’d talked to him, and the fact Jed wasn’t here yet had us both worried. Even if Jed had been at the bottom of the county by the Louisiana border, he still should have been here by now. I was about to suggest she call to check on him, but my own phone rang. I was surprised to see Bruce Wayne’s name on the screen.

“Neely Kate’s here with me,” I said when I answered. “I put you on speaker.”

“Good,” he said, sounding tense. “I’m glad you’re both there. I got a notification that the alarm went off in the landscaping office, so I went to check it out.” He paused. “Someone broke in and trashed the place. They didn’t take the computers or anything of worth, but it’s obvious they were lookin’ for something. I just don’t know what.”

I gasped and stared at Neely Kate.

There was only one thing I could think of that they’d be looking for.

Neely Kate and I said it at the same time.

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