I gave her a blank look. I couldn’t understand how someone could be so calculating. But the vision I’d had of her now made perfect sense.

She rolled her eyes in disgust. “J.R. Simmons was elated to hear I could get the journal for him, and he’s willing to pay a hefty sum to get it.”

I couldn’t let J.R. get the book. I had to figure a way out of this. Jed caught my eye and gave me a slight nod, his eyes hard. He was ready to make a move. I just needed to keep her distracted. “If you wanted me to find the journal for you, why did you leave the notes on my car?’

Her nose scrunched up and she looked at me like I was crazy. “What notes? I didn’t leave you any notes.”

Jed took advantage of Beverly’s distraction and bolted toward her, but Beverly pivoted, pointing her gun at him, and pulled the trigger. Jed dove toward me, landing several feet away.

“Jed!” I screamed in horror, nearly dropping to my knees.

Dirk took advantage of her distraction and rushed me. Wrapping one arm around my waist, he used me as a human shield, pointing his gun at Beverly.

Panic raced through my head and I struggled to keep it at bay. Jed lay on the floor, unmoving. I tried to keep from crying, but I was terrified she’d killed him. Hysteria threatened to take over, but if I didn’t keep it together, I would never get us out of this alive.

“What are you doin’, Dirk?” Beverly snarled.

“I’m tired of taking orders from you, Bea. I want your word that you’re gonna split your money with me. I want at least fifty grand.”

I could only imagine what was in that coded journal that made it worth so much money to Joe’s father. There was no way I was letting them leave with it.

She gave him a look that told him she thought he’d lost his mind. “I ain’t payin’ you shit.”

“You ain’t gonna shoot her.” He waved his gun toward my head. “You need the journal to collect your money.”

She lowered her gun slightly, but her posture softened. “You’re right.” She studied him for a moment. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you, Dirk, baby. I’ll give you twenty grand?”

Dirk’s hold on me tightened. “Thirty-five.”

Beverly hesitated, then gave him a warm smile. “You always knew how to sweet- talk me, baby. Why’d we break up all those years ago?”

His body tensed. “You found someone with more money.”

“With all the money Simmons is gonna pay us, we can get back together.”

Dirk paused, appearing to consider her offer. “I still want thirty-five.”

She lowered her gun. “Done.”

Dirk’s hold on me loosened and he pushed me toward Jed. I dropped to my knees next to him. Blood seeped through a hole in the sleeve of his leather jacket. “Jed,” I whispered, fighting my tears. “Are you okay?”

He didn’t answer, but the way his eyes narrowed told me he planned to put up a fight.

Another gunshot went off and Dirk fell to the ground, a bullet hole in his head.

I shrieked and jumped backward. Jed made a move for me to cover me with his body, but I scrambled to my feet. I knew I was the only one left who could stop her, and it was time for me to step up. “I’ll show you where it is.”

“Rose,” Jed moaned.

“It’s okay.” I had a plan, but I had to get closer to her to execute it. Which meant I would probably have to act after I got the book, just as I was handing it to her. “It’s in here.” I carefully made my way to the desk and opened the drawer, hoping my plan didn’t backfire. She could very well shoot me as soon as I showed the journal to her. But maybe I could work it another way.

“Pull it out.” She motioned with her gun.

I reached into the drawer with my left hand and acted like I was trying to pull it out. “It’s stuck.”

“Pull harder.”

I grunted as I pretended to jerk it back.

“Get out of the way,” she said, moving closer. She turned her back to me as she reached into the drawer and I knew I had to time this right. I pulled the Taser from my pocket, feeling it with my fingers to make sure it was ready to shoot. Her back was covered with her heavy coat and the barbs had to come into contact with her skin. I’d have to wait until she turned around or aim it at her legs to make sure it worked. But she made the decision for me when she picked up the journal with ease and spun around with it in her hand. “What the hell was that nonsense?”

I aimed for her exposed stomach and pressed the trigger. The barbs landed on her abdomen. Her body went rigid and she began to shake, her gun and the journal falling to the floor moments before her body hit.

“Rose!” Jed shouted. I realized the desk blocked his view.

“I’m okay. I Tased her and it knocked her out.” I picked up her gun, but she’d fallen on top of the journal and I had no intention of leaving it underneath her. I tried shoving her body over, but the journal went with her. Cringing, I stuck my hand under her stomach, my fingers fanning out as I searched for the book. I finally found it and pulled it out, heaving and groaning in the process.

“What in the hell are you doin’ over there?” Jed barked.

“Bringing J.R. Simmons down, with any luck.” I stood, trying to figure out what to do with everything. I stuck the Taser in my pocket and tucked the journal into a pocket inside my coat, then carried the gun around the desk to him.