“Sure.” Then she hung up.
I rolled my eyes and sent both Maeve and Jonah texts assuring them I was fine. Then I called Jed.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice tight with worry.
“I’m fine. They took the guy into custody, so I’m safe.”
Joe shot me a dark look.
“Is he talkin’?” Jed asked. “Does he know anything about you?”
I told him what I knew, including his parting words.
“You’re not safe. You’re anything but safe.”
“Jed,” I said. “There’s more. I found an audio recording from Tuesday night of someone we think is Franken questioning Branson at what sounds like a bar.” I paused. “Franken had a photo of me that he showed Branson, and Branson told him who I was and that I’d likely come back to Arkansas.”
“Shit.”
“I know,” I said, my chest tight.
“Where are you now?” he growled.
“We’re on our way back to the landscaping office.”
“We who? Joe? Put me on speaker.”
Cringing, I did as he asked, then listened to him ream Joe up one side and down the other about risking my safety. Surprisingly, Joe remained silent until Jed finally stopped.
“You done?” Joe asked in a terse voice.
“For now.”
“Well, you didn’t say anything I haven’t already told myself,” Joe said. “And then some, so no argument from me.”
“Joe,” I said quietly.
He shook his head. “It’s not up for discussion. We need to focus on figuring out what the Hardshaw Group is doing here and how Kate is one step ahead of us. Have you made any progress?”
“No,” Jed grumbled. “I met with Denny Carmichael, but he claims he doesn’t know a damn thing.”
“Do you believe him?” Joe asked.
“No.”
“You might be barkin’ up the wrong tree anyway,” Joe said. “Brox Collard showed up to the diner, shortly before noon.”
“Brox Collard?” He paused for a moment. “Talkin’ to Gerard is gonna be tricky. He and Skeeter had a fallin’ out a few weeks ago, so he probably won’t be too receptive to meetin’ with me.”
“Fallin’ out over what?” Joe asked.
Jed hesitated a moment, then said, “There’s no reason for you to know that part. What happened with Brox?”
“I have no idea,” Joe said. “By the time I got back inside the diner, nearly an hour later, he was long gone.”
“I’ve got a few more things to deal with, then I’ll text you and find out where you’re at,” Jed said. “But I will be takin’ Neely Kate for tonight.”
“You think you’re gettin’ my sister tonight after what just happened?” Joe demanded.
“I guaran-damn-tee you that I’ll take better care of her than you did,” Jed snapped, then hung up.
I started to put my phone back into my purse, but it started vibrating in my hand with a call.
Violet. Crap, I’d completely forgotten about going over to her house.
“Hey, Violet,” I said when I answered, putting her on speaker. “How’re you doin?”
“How am I doin’? How are you? I heard that Kate escaped.”
“I’m with Joe right now, so I’m as safe as I’ll ever be.”
Joe’s hands tightened on the steering wheel.
“So does this Kate nonsense mean you aren’t goin’ up to that fundraiser dinner?” Violet asked.
I sent a questioning glance to my brother.
He grimaced, then said, sounding defensive, “I don’t know yet. We still might go.”
To lure Kate out if we hadn’t caught her yet. I was definitely game. “We probably will,” I said. “I’m not lettin’ Kate Simmons or anyone else keep me from livin’ my life.”
“So you still need my help,” she said.
I glanced at the clock on the dashboard. It was after two o’clock. “Yeah,” I said, “but with everything else goin’ on, I’m not sure I have time to come over and try things on.”
“That’s part of the reason I was callin’. Mikey’s sick and I need to take him to the doctor, but Maeve offered to swing over and pick up a bunch of dresses and drop them off at the landscapin’ office. Say in an hour? I already pulled some dresses that I think will work perfectly. You just have to pick which one to wear.”
“Thank you, Vi,” I said. “This means a lot to me.”
“Glad to help. If you go, try to have fun despite that black cloud Kate is casting. And don’t worry about embarassin’ Joe. You’re charming enough on your own, Neely Kate.”
Joe shot me a surprised look, then asked, “Should you be around Mikey if he’s sick, Vi? Maybe Mike’s parents can pick him up and take him.”
“I’ve missed out on months with my children, Joe Simmons,” was her stern response. “I’m not missin’ out on any more time with them.”
I knew what he was thinking. With her weak immune system…
Apparently so did she.
“I’m fine,” she insisted. “I’m wearin’ a mask and washin’ my hands so much they’re chafed. Don’t worry so much.”
“Take care, Violet,” I said.
“Be safe,” Joe added.
“I’ll be fine. You two have fun tomorrow night. I want to hear all about it next week.”
“Are we really still gonna go?” I asked after I hung up.
“I think you were onto something about the benefit dinner being part of Kate’s plan. I suspect she was capable of breakin’ out all along. If we haven’t found her by tomorrow afternoon, I think we should plan on it.” He turned and gave me a soulful glance. “You okay with that? As Rose pointed out this morning, you’re effectively bait.”
“Yeah,” I said softly. “I’m good.”
This would either be stupid or brilliant. Probably both.
Chapter 19
We spent the next few hours in the landscaping office. I went back to looking through the phone, while Witt took over scrutinizing Chad Manchester’s computer. Joe started looking up Alonzo Adkins. His previous multiple arrest photos for drug possession and sales and for possession of illegal firearms matched the man who’d tried to snatch me.
“That’s what I need to call the Dallas and Irving Police Departments without drawin’ suspicion on you,” he said. “I’ll be out in my car.”
Witt sat at the client table with Muffy on his lap. He lifted his gaze as Joe walked out the front door. “Why can’t he make that call in here?”
“I don’t know,” I said, watching him get into his sedan, which was parked outside the office. “He’s takin’ an unexpected day off. Maybe he needs to talk about some other sheriff business.”
“Maybe…” He didn’t sound convinced.
A few seconds later, Maeve walked in front of the office windows, carrying several garment bags in her arms. I jumped up from my chair to open the door for her.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” she said. “I got tied up at the nursery and took a late lunch.”
“Maeve, you should have called. I would’ve met you out at your car.”
“You really shouldn’t be traipsing around out there,” Maeve said. “I heard about your near kidnapping at the Blue Plate Diner.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Who told you?”
“You’re the talk of the town today.” She laid the bags on Rose’s desk. “You and Kate Simmons.”
I suppose the explained all the calls and texts I got earlier.
She glanced up and noticed Witt. “I’m sorry. Am I interrupting?”
“No,” I said, “not at all. Maeve, this is my cousin, Witt Rivers. Witt, this is Maeve Deveraux.”
Witt had already stood after setting Muffy on the floor. He walked toward us, extending his hand to Maeve, but he hesitated when he heard her last name. “Deveraux?”
“Yes,” she said softly. “My son is Mason Deveraux. He used to be the assistant district attorney.”
“And he’s back in town,” Witt said in a dry tone.
I shot him a warning look.
“Yes,” Maeve said.
It occurred to me that I’d never asked Maeve how she felt about Mason coming back and stirring up trouble, especially after he’d threatened Rose. She loved Rose, but now wasn’t the time. “Witt’s hanging out to make sure I’m safe.”
Her mouth parted, but she quickly recovered. “Joe hasn’t assigned any deputies to watch over you?”
“Joe’s watching over me too.” I gestured out the window to his car.