Which meant it was time for me to reach out to Skeeter. “Fine. Wait for a call from your boss,” I said as I stood and headed toward the landscaping office. “I’m about to get your orders changed.”

He was about to say something, but I hung up. A new wave of anger washed through me. Once again, the men in my life were orchestrating plans and schemes behind my back, keeping me on a shelf, acting as if I couldn’t handle the truth. I understood why Mason had kept this from me, but Skeeter had no excuse.

I stepped into the office and shut the door behind me. Neely Kate looked up from her screen, and Bruce Wayne—who had returned from dumping a load of mulch—took one look at me and then glanced back down at the paperwork on his desk.

“You were gone a long time,” Neely Kate said. “It’s nearly three o’clock.”

“I went to see Carter—and Mason, too.”

“Mason?”

I nodded. “We’re going out to dinner tonight in Magnolia.”

Her eyes lit up. “That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” I said, feeling more subdued than I would have liked. I hated that Jed’s comment had gotten to me. “He says he wants to talk about fixing us. But I have to run an errand.”

“Oh!” she said in excitement. “Are you dropping by Beulah’s Nip and Clip for a mani-pedi? I’m almost done with this proposal. I can come with you.”

“No. I have to go see . . . someone.”

The gravity in my voice wiped the smile off her face. “Who?” When I didn’t answer her, she asked. “Skeeter? Why?”

Bruce Wayne’s gaze jerked up, but he remained silent.

“Because it’s time. And Mason set something in motion that I need to address.”

“What?”

“I’ve been under twenty-four-hour surveillance, and no one bothered to tell me.”

Her eyes widened. “Joe set it up? I haven’t seen any sheriff’s deputies.”

“No. Skeeter. At Mason’s request.”

Bruce Wayne’s eyes widened.

“I understand why Mason kept it secret,” I said, my irritation growing. “He knew I’d try to refuse to prove myself to him. But I expected more from Skeeter. And I’m going to tell him so.”

Bruce Wayne finally spoke up. “Do you really think that’s a good idea?”

I put my hand on my hip. “I’m not afraid of Skeeter Malcolm.” No, I was more worried about hurting him, especially now that I knew he was probably in love with me.

Bruce Wayne grimaced. “I know you’re not afraid of him, and I’ve given up worrying that he’ll hurt you. But you know he’s under close watch now.”

“People know that he played a role in bringing down J.R. I can make it look like I’m just thanking him for saving me.”

That was the official story. Considering J.R. Simmons’s high profile, the whole country was watching, not just the state. There was no hiding that Skeeter and Jed had been part of his takedown. But Mason had put his own spin on it, saying that Jed had saved me after I was kidnapped (true) and taken me to Skeeter (also true), and that I had convinced him to let me use the Lady in Black persona to trick J.R. into confessing.

People bought it, if only because no one believed that the Lady in Black—a sophisticated businesswoman from Shreveport—could be little Rose Anne Gardner. While I was partially offended, I was also relieved. And now the public record stated that Skeeter Malcolm and his employee had saved my life. I was certain I could get by with seeing Skeeter at least once.

Neely Kate watched me for a few seconds, then nodded. “Do you want me to stay at Maeve’s tonight?”

I shook my head. “No. You can stay with me at the farmhouse, but I think I should have Jed or Merv watching the house while I’m gone.”

To my surprise, she didn’t protest.

My stomach was a jittery mess while I drove to the pool hall. Jed called me twice and sent three texts urging me to answer my phone, but I wasn’t about to be dissuaded.

My phone rang again as I pulled into the lot. Figuring it was Jed, I reached for it, about to turn the ringer off, but the number wasn’t one I recognized.

Worried it might be about Violet or my blood tests, I answered.

“What should I call you?”J.R. Simmons’s voice filled my ear. “Rose or Lady?”

I sank back in the driver’s seat, feeling like I’d just had the wind knocked out of me. But that had to be what J.R. was hoping for. After a second-long pause, I answered him, putting more force into my voice than I felt. “Rose will do.”

“You think you’re a sneaky bitch, don’t you?”

The venom in his tone made me cringe, but I forced myself to keep my voice light. “I don’t usually think of myself as a bitch.”

“I’m coming for you, Rose Gardner. And I’m coming for your boyfriend, too. I wanted you to hear it from me.”

“That’ll be a little hard to do behind bars, J.R., which is where I hear you’re headed this very afternoon.”

“This backward Podunk county can’t keep me locked up. I’ll get out—and when I do, you’re the first one I’m coming for. I think I’ll make your boyfriend watch.”

“Good luck getting Mason. He’s well-protected.” At least I hoped so.

J.R. laughed, a bitter sound that sent fear skating down my back. “Not the D.A.” He paused. “Malcolm. Although I’m going for Deveraux, too.”

I sucked in a breath. I considered denying that allegation, but I barely had enough energy left to finish the call. “I might be scared if I thought it was a possibility,” I lied, proud that my voice didn’t crack. “But if you come after me, I’ll shoot you in your non-existent heart this time.”

I waited for his response before realizing he’d hung up. Where had he called me from? The hospital? One of his henchmen’s phones? He still had his mysterious Twelve men out there, waiting to do his bidding. Was I a sitting duck?

Jed rapped on the driver’s window, making me jump and release a shriek. I pushed the door open, but he blocked my path.

“He doesn’t want to see you.”

“After the phone conversation I just had, I think he will.”

That stunned him long enough for me to slip past him. I made it through the front door of the pool hall before he caught up to me, grabbing my arm and pulling me to a halt.