My mouth dropped open. “You’re giving me your blessing to investigate this case?”

He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his legs. “Rose, I know you think Dora was murdered, but there’s no reason to think that except rumor and speculation. Henry’s wife had just as much cause to do Dora harm as your momma did. One suspect is dead and the other is probably walking around with a cane. I think it’s safe for you to do a little digging. But let me ask you this.” He paused and made sure he had my attention. “Do you ever remember your mother putterin’ around with cars?”

“Well…no…”

“And this might be sexist of me to say, but there’s a good chance Henry’s wife couldn’t tell the difference between a radiator hose and a brake line.”

He had a point. I was pretty certain I couldn’t find the brake line in my truck if my life depended on it.

“Nowadays anyone could look that type of thing up on the Internet, but back then, either one of them would have had to ask someone…and that someone would probably have told the Henryetta police.”

I sighed. What he said made sense.

“Rose.” He covered my hand with his and said, “I suspect your birth mother died in an unfortunate accident. But from what you just told me, the real question might be who your birth father really is.”

I nodded, blinking to ease the burning in my eyes. He was only confirming my own thoughts.

“Are you sure you’re ready to face that?”

I stared into the eyes of the man I used to love. Everything we had built together was destroyed because of the things neither one of us were ready to face. I was tired of running from the truth, no matter how difficult it was to face. “Yes.”

He nodded, looking serious. “If you need help with anything—unofficially, of course—just let me know.”

“Thank you.”

He removed his hand and grinned. “But there’s actually a purpose to my visit.”

“You’re not here to harass me?” I teased.

“Oh, that’s always fun too, but this time was just a bonus. After I delivered the bad news to Mason that he’s sequestered to the courthouse during workin’ hours, he asked me to run an errand for him.” He reached into his pocket and set a small black plastic box on the table. “This is your new frontline self-defense.”

“You got me a Taser?” I asked, staring at it.

“Now don’t you go lookin’ all surprised.” He laughed. “Lord knows you need it with all the trouble you get into, Mick Gentry aside.” He reached into his other pocket and pulled out a pink box, which he set beside the other. “I got one for Neely Kate too.”

“Pink.” I laughed.

He shrugged, still grinning. “Pink seemed to suit her better.”

I studied him for a moment. “Why are you so nice to her when she’s so mean to you most of the time?”

He hesitated before looking into my eyes. “Because she’s probably the best friend a person can have and I’m grateful she’s yours.” He lifted his shoulder into a half shrug. “She thinks I left you high and dry to run for office. If she’s any friend at all, I would hope she’d hold it over my head.”

“I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “No. Don’t be. I can handle it.” He glanced back at the front door. “Besides, I’d take her feisty any day compared to this.”

“Me too.”

“Let me give you a quick lesson before I go. It won’t do you any good if you don’t know how to use it.” He spent several minutes showing me how to load the barb cartridges, how to recharge it, and most importantly, how to use it to defend myself.

He handed it to me and made me repeat everything he’d said.

“Do you feel ready to use it?”

I took a deep breath, looking at the weapon in my hand. “I guess.” I offered him a smile. “Thanks for getting it for me. And for the lesson.”

He stood. “Well, I better go.” He gestured toward the journal. “And if you need any advice about where to go next with your investigation, let me know.”

I shook my head with amazement.

He lowered his gaze to mine. “I’m only givin’ you my blessing because it’s not an ongoing investigation and you’re only talking to people.” He reconsidered. “You are only talking to people?”

“Of course,” I said. “What else would we be doin’?”

He shook his head and headed for the door. “I don’t even want to know.”

“Hey, Joe.”

He looked back at me.

“I’m really sorry about last night. I’m just worried…and you’ve blown off my visions before.”

Moving back toward me, he lightly gripped my upper arms. “I’m not blowing it off, Rose. I promise.” He hesitated. “There’s just a lot you don’t know about what’s goin’ on. A lot Mason and I can’t tell you. I need you to trust me. Can you do that?”

I looked into his eyes. “Yes, I trust you.” And I found myself surprised to realize that it was true.

The door opened and Neely Kate came back in with a sheepish look that turned to confusion when she saw us.

Joe dropped his arms and headed back toward the door. “I left you a present on the table. All I ask is that you don’t go usin’ it on any ol’ person who irritates you. Use it judiciously.”