“Hey, Neely Kate. What did you find out?”

“Nita worked the desk today. She said a courier brought the paperwork and the check.”

“Didn’t the guy who paid it need to sign anything?”

“Technically, yes, but Nita was so overwhelmed from holding a cashier’s check for a million dollars, she just pushed it on through. In fact, I had a hard time tracking her down because she got suspended for three days because of it. She was out at the Trading Post drowning her sorrows … although she didn’t look too sorrowful. She just got three days off.”

“Oh dear. Did she remember anything about the courier?”

“A young guy, maybe mid-twenties. He said he was from Little Rock, and he was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. When she was going through the paperwork, he kept waving the check at her. Like he was trying to push the process along even though he knew he was missing some steps. She says he stayed there until she got it all uploaded to the system. The second she confirmed you were as good as free, he thanked her and took off.”

“She broke the rules because she was distracted by a check?”

“Well, between you and me, I think she was distracted by some cash. There were several hundred-dollar bills in her wallet when she bought me a drink, and Nita is known for being cash-poor.”

“That makes more sense.”

“She got a photo of him on her camera phone. She refused to send it to me, but I got a good look at it.”

“Could you pick the guy out of a lineup?”

“I’ll say. And let’s just say that the check and the cash probably weren’t the only things distracting her.”

“Maybe Randy can get some mugshots for you to look at.”

“Who?”

“Deputy Miller. He’s helpin’ Mason and spying on Joe.”

“You’re kidding. Are you sure we can trust him?”

“He seems pretty doggone mad at Joe, so yeah. I think so.”

I told her about our trip to the factory, the key we’d found there, and our need to get into the safe. Then my vision of Mason and my phone call with Jed.

“Oh, my stars and garters. You sure haven’t let any grass grow under your feet.”

“I can’t afford to.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Are you sure you want to get mixed up in this?” It was a stupid question on my part, but I had to ask it anyway. “This isn’t the same as you and me pokin’ around about a factory fire.”

“I’m dying to get mixed up in this. And besides, everything we’ve done has turned dangerous. This time at least we’re goin’ into it with our eyes wide open. Now what do you want me to do?”

“How about you take the safe job? See if Jonah or Bruce Wayne know someone who’s willing to open it?”

“I don’t even need to go that far. My cousin Witt should be able to get it open easy enough. He’s an expert at gettin’ into all kinds of things, from pickle jars to women’s panties. Just tell me where it’s at.”

I wasn’t sure that was the ideal résumé for breaking into a safe, but beggars can’t be choosers, so I gave her directions on how to find the office and the safe. “Do you think you’ll get to it tomorrow?”

“I don’t see any reason to wait. I’ll call Witt to see if he can do it tonight.”

“Will Ronnie be okay with that?”

“Ronnie’s not an issue.”

Something in her voice caught my attention. “Is everything okay?”

“It will be eventually,” she said, but her voice broke. “It just means I have more time to work on this little project.”

Now I was really worried. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Maybe tomorrow.”

“How about we meet for lunch? I’ll run by the nursery and check on Violet, then meet you at eleven-thirty at Merilee’s?”

“Sure. I’ll let you know what happens with the safe.”

“Okay. I’ll have Mason send you the photos he took so Witt knows what he’s dealing with,” I said, my stomach knotted with nerves. “Be careful, okay?”

“Don’t you be worrying about me. I’ve got this covered.”

“Uh, Neely Kate? One more thing. Did you get my message from Carter?”

“Yeah. I took care of it on Saturday when I brought Mason his dinner. I made him a tuna and peppermint creole casserole. The poor thing was so upset he couldn’t even eat it, bless his heart. He took a few bites and headed straight for the bathroom. That’s when I ran upstairs to get your things.”

“I’m gonna need it back.”

She was silent for a moment. I expected her to blast me, but she said, “Okay. Talk to you later.”

As soon as we hung up, I texted Mason to let him know Neely Kate was using her own resources to open the safe. I asked if he could text the photos to her so her source knew to bring the right tools. To his credit, he didn’t ask questions, simply texted: Okay. Enjoy your bath. Muffy and I are out at the barn.

What in tarnation was he doing out at the barn? Deciding to ask him later, I put my phone on the floor next to the tub and sank down into the water. My mind was like a whirligig, but for the moment, Neely Kate’s marriage took top priority in my thoughts. I knew she and Ronnie had been going through a rough spot after her miscarriage, but it sounded like things had gotten a whole lot worse in the short time I was in county lock-up.