Page 30 of All I Want for Christmas

“I told her the FBI was planning to interview Jed after the first of the year.”

Skeeter didn’t move or say anything, which made me more nervous.

“First,” I said, my voice breaking. I took a breath then started again. “First, I’m not sure I ever thanked you properly for all you did to help me find Ronnie.”

“Well, now,” he said, crossing his leg over his knee and resting his hands on top of his raised knee. “I didn’t exactly find him now, did I? Your crazy-ass sister did.”

It was true. While Skeeter and Carter had hired private investigators to search for my wayward husband so I could serve divorce papers, it was Kate who had found him and offered him to me as a gift.

“Still,” I said, “you and Carter went to a lot of effort to find him. I didn’t have the resources you did.”

“It wasn’t an entirely selfless motive,” Skeeter said. “I wanted to find him too, so don’t go canonizin’ me. Not for that.”

“I knew the whole time you wanted to find him too,” I said with a huff. “I’m notentirelystupid, so I’m grateful that you shared what you did with me. You could have kept all your information to yourself and told me to get lost.”

He barely nodded in acknowledgment. I’d known he wasn’t looking for Ronnie to just help me, but it wasn’t entirely selfish either. I was sure he’d also done it for Rose since I was her best friend. And likely for Jed, since Skeeter had to know he’d liked me. That was one of the reasons it was so shocking when Skeeter had turned his back on Jed for wanting to be with me.

“No matter the reasons,” I said, “I’m still grateful.” I shot a quick glance to Carter. “To both of you.”

Carter gave me a tight smile.

“So, while you already did me a favor which I haven’t repaid,” I said, “I’m here asking for another.”

Skeeter released a little chuckle. “In case the orange suit and the maximum security to get into the place didn’t clue you in, I’m in prison. I don’t know how helpful I’ll be in here.” His leg dropped to the floor, and he leaned forward. “I presume this has to do with Jed.”

I nodded, then swallowed again. I really should have drunk some water before I came in. “Yes. Carter was kind enough to warn me that it was likely to happen and told me to get Jed an attorney.”

Skeeter grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Then I still don’t know why you’re here, seeing how I’m not an attorney.”

I rolled my eyes, starting to feel more like myself. “No kiddin’? I want to know whyyouthink they’re wantin’ to talk to him.”

“Hell if I know,” he said, sitting back again. “Could be they want to dig into ourallegedcriminal activities in Fenton County and they want to put him away too. Seems like a county sheriff’s job to me, but then again, wediddeal with some underground arms trading—allegedly, of course—so maybe they caught wind of that? Then again, that would be the ATF, unless the FBI wrestled it away from ’em.”

“Do you think they’re lookin’ for information aboutyou?”

He remained silent.

I took that as encouragement to continue. “Last I heard, you’re here on some ridiculous charges that don’t amount to a hill of beans, yet they won’t let you post bail. Which tells me they’re still workin’ on what to charge you with,or—” I made sure I had his attention “—they’re pressuring you to give them something. Seeing as how you’re still here, if that’s the case, you apparently haven’t given it to them, so now they’re goin’ after people you care about.”

“Care about,” he scoffed. “Jed and I parted ways. I don’t give a shit about what he does or what happens to him.”

“You’re many things, Skeeter Malcolm,” I snapped, “but I never took you for a flat-out liar.”

His gaze darkened and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. He wasn’t restrained in any way and could easily reach across the table and grab my throat, but I knew he never would. It would kill Rose if she found out he hurt me, but more importantly, never in all the time I’d known him had I felt threatened by him. Sure, he had a scary reputation—and with just cause—but I knew he’d never hurt me, at least not physically.

He looked away but didn’t say a word.

“Have they asked you about your relationship with Jed?” I asked.

“They’ve asked me all sorts of things,” he grumbled, still not looking at me.

“Are they goin’ after Jed to find out what y’all did in the county or to see if he was involved with your agreement with Hardshaw?”

He shook his head, his focus on the wall. “Hell if I know. Maybe both.”

“Why not rat him out?” I asked, my heart pounding against my rib cage, terrified to hear the answer. “You could probably work out some kind of deal if you gave them info on him.”

He released a bitter laugh. “They’re not after him. He’s small potatoes. They’re after bigger things.”

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