“Do you need a ride to your car?”

“I called a taxi.”

We waited a few more minutes. I was so anxious I thought I would puke.

“Don’t go, Rose.” His voice was so quiet I could barely hear him.

I turned to face him and shook my head. “Do you have any idea what you are asking?”

“Do you know what’s going to happen if you go with an empty flash drive?”

“What do you care, Joe? Leave me alone!” I started down the sidewalk. Wearing heels wasn’t such a good idea if I had to walk two miles.

Joe jogged up to me. “Let me drive you.”

“Drive me where?”

“To your car.”

I stopped and glared at him. “Why are you doin’ this?”

“Rose, I care about you.”

That made me livid. “Don’t. You. Dare.” I spit out through gritted teeth. I started walking again.

“Okay, I feel guilty. I’m tryin’ to make it up to you.”

I stopped. That sounded like a more honest answer and my cab still hadn’t shown up. Being late wouldn’t work in my favor. “All right.” I turned around and walked to Joe’s car and got in.

We drove in silence for a couple of blocks.

“Do you have a plan?”

I remained silent.

“Rose, do you know what these people are capable of?”

“I have a pretty good idea, Joe, which is exactly why I’m going.”

Joe stopped at a stop sign. “I can’t let you do this.”

“You don’t have a say. Now drive.”

He drove several more blocks. “You at least need a plan. Tell me you have a plan.”

“I have a somewhat plan.”

“Does your plan have anything to do with the way you’re dressed?” When I didn’t answer, he continued. “That won’t work with him, Rose. He’s been put in a very awkward situation by trusting his source and paying already. His partners are breathing down his neck for this information. If you don’t have it, nothing will save you.”

“I already know I’m gonna die. I’m doing this to save Violet.”

He stopped next to my car thankfully still parked in the deserted funeral home parking lot. He shut off the engine and turned to me. “Rose, I’m begging you.”

“You have no right to beg me for anything, Joe McAllister. You lost that right the moment you betrayed me. When was that exactly? The night you met me?”

“Rose,” he moaned.

“Fine, so you’re worried about me?” I said in a sneer. “Come with me, be my bodyguard.”

“I can’t.” He hung his head.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” I started to get out of the car.

Joe pulled me back and grabbed my shoulders. “I’m about to do something that could get me killed, but I can’t sit here and let it happen to you first.”

“Let go of me!” I tried to jerk away.

“Rose! I’m trying to save you! Shelf your pride for a minute and listen to me!”

I was willing to listen if he was going to help save my life.

“As much as I hate to admit it, you were smart to dress like this. Crocker likes good-looking women. He’ll be more lenient with you because of your looks, which is probably why you’re still alive. But if he finds out you haven’t brought what he wants, he’ll kill you.”

I tried to remain calm in spite of facing my certain death. “Will he know tonight?” I whispered.

He looked out the front window. “Yes.”

I let that soak in. “Will I at least be able to save Violet?”

“I don’t know.”

I gasped. I had to save Violet.

Joe turned back to me. “So will you change your mind?”

“Not if there’s even a slight chance I can save her.” I reached for the handle on the door.

“Wait!” Joe sounded desperate.

“What?”

“Give me your flash drive.” I didn’t move so he grabbed my purse and started digging through it.

“What are you doing? Give that back!” I tried to pull it away from him.

He looked panicked. “Where is it?”

I dug it out of my pocket, unsure I should give it to him. He pulled a flash drive out of his pocket and handed it to me .

“Is this the real one? You had it all the time?” I asked.

“No! It’s fake. It’ll save you tonight, but not past tomorrow. They’ll figure out it’s a forgery by noon.”

“Why are you doin’ this?” I wasn’t sure I could trust him, but whatever he had on his flash drive had to be better than my empty one.

“You want the truth or the version you prefer?”

“Neither.” I turned to the door.

“Wait!”

This was getting old. “I’m gonna be late.”

He looked uncomfortable. “Try not to let him get you into bed.”

“Excuse me?” I hadn’t expected that.

“He’s gonna try, which is why you’re still alive, but avoid it if you can. You’re gonna have to use your head. Rumor has it he’s rough in the bedroom. Just be careful.”

While I was grateful for that bit of information, it scared the bejiggers out of me. “Thanks,” I whispered.

“Rose.” His voice broke. “Be careful.”