Page 25 of Dirty Minds

“Yeah, except the market will outprice itself like it always does and no one will be able to afford it. And then the insurance companies will get involved and make billions. It’s the way of things. No one really gets helped in this country without an ulterior motive.”

“Wow,” I said. “You’ve grown in cynicism over the last few months. You’re starting to sound like me.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve started to see things in a different light recently.” He poured the milk into a little black cylinder and pressed the on button. “I’ve not shared anything with you and Jack for a reason. They’re watching and researching anyone connected with me. All I can tell you is that it was not in their plans for Jack to win another term as sheriff. King George’s positioning is ripe for development and land deals and there are a few people a lot higher up than me who have been secretly purchasing land and working with lobbyists and developers who just lost out on a whole lot of money and power. They bought Floyd Parker. He was who they needed. Jack has too much local influence and money to meet their needs.”

Floyd Parker had been the bane of my existence since my second year in medical school. I’d had one night of bad judgment with him, and he’d never let me forget it, ramping up his torment over the years. Last November he’d decided to run against Jack in the election for sheriff, but when Floyd had killed a man in a hit-and-run accident, not even he could’ve spun that in his favor.

“So why are you the one on the run instead of me and Jack?” I asked, pouring the foamy milk on top of our coffees.

I carried our drinks over to the breakfast nook and slid into the bench. I remembered there’d been a time not too long ago when I’d sat across from Carver’s wife over a different matter.

“Because while I was digging into Floyd Parker and the development deals for the prisons I ended up going down a rabbit hole I couldn’t get out of. I’m talking murder and money, and prominent names to go along with it. Some of whom I work for. Or worked for. It’s all a bit hazy at the moment on whether or not I have a job. Let’s just say that the FBI has become the most distrusted law enforcement agency over the last decade or so for a reason. But I’ve got some connections, and if I can stay alive long enough I might just see justice done.”

“If you stay alive long enough?” I asked. “Where are Michelle and the girls?”

“They’re safe,” he said. “I can’t tell you more than that. And I believe you and Jack are safe too. Just keep doing what you’re doing, and don’t talk about me outside of these walls. I’ve got you protected so no one can see or hear as long as you’re inside the house.”

“If we’re being watched how did you get in here and how are you going to get out?” I asked.

Carver smiled. “I’m a magician,” he said. “I have my ways.”

I heard the front door open and my heart stopped in my chest. I was halfway standing, not having a clue what I would do if the FBI stormed in.

“Whoa,” Jack said, stopping at the kitchen threshold, his eyes wide. “I did not leave you looking like Shrek.”

Carver snorted out a laugh and Jack came over to kiss me hello. He slapped Carver casually on the shoulder and then went to make himself a cup of coffee.

“You were keeping this from me,” I said to Jack, my fists bunched at my waist. “You are not at all surprised to see Carver here.”

“Yes,” Jack admitted. “But to be fair, I haven’t been keeping it from you that long. I was just as surprised as you when I walked into the kitchen this morning and saw him sitting there. I think we need to upgrade our security.”

“I designed your security,” Carver said, waving away the concern. “No one else can get in without your knowledge. Not even Doug.”

“That makes me feel so much safer to know that not even a teenager can get past our security,” I said dryly.

“Well, in my defense,” Carver said. “I had to let myself in. You guys were pretty busy with the whole drive-by thing at the Purple Pig. Weird name for a restaurant, but I liked the look of their appetizers when I Googled the menu. I was going to let you know I was here when you came in last night, but I heard a lot of things that made me pretty uncomfortable and kind of tingly too, so I decided it was best to give y’all privacy.”

I felt the heat rise in my face, and I was thankful for the green mask.

“How you’ve managed to keep that face so pretty all these years will always be a mystery,” Jack said, shaking his head.

Carver grinned. “It’s my charm. I can get away with almost anything. Unless it’s with my wife. Or apparently the FBI. Anyway, I figured I could get in here, get Magnolia, and get a little sleep too. Y’all have comfortable beds. I told Michelle we needed to get beds like y’all’s but she said she didn’t want to spend the money until she knows we’re not going to die.”

“Very practical,” Jack said dryly. “Do you know how many agents are watching this house right now? How do you plan to get out of here?”

“Wait, agents are watching this house right now?” I asked, looking back and forth between them. And then I narrowed my eyes at Jack. “Didn’t we have a conversation recently about communicating? The last time you didn’t communicate with me I found out about a long-lost son.”

“Yeah, that was definitely your bad,” Carver said, shaking his head at Jack. “Communication is key.”

“I appreciate the marriage help,” Jack said, giving Carver a thin smile. But Carver sat there innocently looking completely unrepentant. “I’ve been gathering information the last three days,” Jack said, looking at me. “I would have told you once I had some answers. I just haven’t gotten any answers yet. I have no idea what’s going on in my own town, and now I find out we have someone with Mafia ties and a lawyer involved in sex trafficking all in the same day.”

“The world really is going to hell in a handbasket,” Carver said. “Don’t beat yourself up. You’re not Superman. There will always be evil in the world, despite all the people who feel like love and hugs will make everything better. Good and evil have existed since the beginning of the world. I mean, there were literally four people on the planet and Cain killed Abel. That’s a twenty-five percent murder rate. You’re doing a lot better than that.”

Jack snorted out a laugh and said, “Gee, thanks.”

“Don’t worry about the agents here in town,” Carver said. “They’re idiots. I could outmaneuver them in a wheelchair. Oh, wait…” he said, grinning. “You’ll know when they send in the big guns. They’re assessing the situation. I wouldn’t be surprised if anything popping up on your crime radar right now are purposeful distractions. Like I said, we’re talking billions of dollars and depraved criminals that rule different parts of the world. And they’ve all put a target on King George County. It’s prime real estate.”

“Do you really think the FBI would kill you?” I asked Carver.

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