“Jed.” His voice was hard. “He’ll protect you with his life if necessary, but hopefully we’ll figure out a way around it.”
I wanted to say no. As far as I could tell, the whole Lady in Black business was finally dying down at the courthouse. Her reappearance was bound to stir things up again. But if there was the slightest chance I could find out who was trying to kill Mason and Skeeter could stop them, no wasn’t an option.
“So what do you want me to do?”
“Meet Jed at eight-thirty at the same feed store where you met him last time. He’ll bring you to the pool hall, and we’ll fill you in on the rest when you get there.”
“Okay.” I turned to look at him. “I need to ask you about something else.”
His hard expression fell away and he looked amused. “You can ask, but I might not answer.”
“It’s about Gems.”
He grinned. “Have you changed your mind about dancing? Because I’ll tell you again that I can offer you something better.”
“No,” I said in disgust. “I want to know who owns it.”
He sat back in the pew and spread his arms out along the back. “Well if that isn’t the million-dollar question.”
“So you don’t know?”
He tilted his head and smirked at me. “I didn’t say that.”
“If you knew, you’d tell me.”
He shifted to the side. “It changed hands a couple of months ago to a corporation, but it’s unclear who the actual owner is.”
“Do you think whoever it is could be trying to take over Crocker’s drug empire?”
His arms dropped to his side, and he leaned forward. “I took over Crocker’s drug empire.”
I turned to face him. “Nikko, the bartender who disappeared at Gems—he used to work for Crocker. Running drugs. But he quit and couldn’t find a job until Mud hired him.”
He watched me closely. “Go on. I’m listening.”
“I told you that I had a feeling that he and Dolly Parton saw something and ran off to hide.”
“Do you have any proof of that?”
“No, but I do know Mud sent men to Nikko’s trailer to find him.”
He scowled. “You told me that already.”
“I was in his trailer this morning, though, and I don’t think the men there were just looking for Nikko. The way they’d moved things around implied they were looking for something else.”
“So?”
“Skeeter.” I turned all the way around, getting on my knees to face him. “What if he wants Nikko’s information about Crocker’s business? You already said the owner of Gems wants to put you out of business. What if this is just one more way to put you out of business?”
His eyes turned murderous, and I knew if that anger was directed at me, I’d be terrified.
“Is there some way to figure out who owns it?”
“We’ve traced it to a farmer in Louisiana, but there’s no way he’s the real owner.”
I shook my head in confusion. “Why not?”
“Identity theft. Someone stole his identity and is using it to remain anonymous.”
“And you really have no idea who?”
His anger returned. “I’ve already told you I didn’t.”
“Do you think that the person who’s responsible could also be trying to kill Mason and pin it on you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. It could be any number of guys. Three come to mind, and all three will be at the pool hall tonight. Jed will fill you in on who they are when he picks you up.” Skeeter stood. “We shouldn’t be seen leaving together. I’ll slip out through the back door, and you can wait a few minutes and go out the main entrance.”
I didn’t answer, but he didn’t wait. He headed for the exit without looking back.
As I waited my several minutes, I made a mental list of things I needed to get at the house, adding a few things I hadn’t planned to ever need again: a black dress, shoes, and the veiled hat.
The Lady in Black was back.
Chapter Twenty-Two
I left the chapel and stayed with Mason until it was time to leave for the farmhouse, but I was terrible company. My vision about Mason kept repeating in my head, making me anxious, and thoughts of my impending date with Skeeter only made it worse. Mason kept trying to reassure me, but the only thing that would set me at ease would be to find out who was behind this and make sure he or she was stopped.
When I pulled up to the farmhouse an hour later, a sheriff’s car was already parked outside in the drive. Deputy Miller climbed out and I gave him a warm smile as I greeted him at the bottom of the stairs.
“Deputy Miller. I’m glad you’re the one meeting me.”
He chuckled. “Anyone in particular you trying to avoid?”
I grimaced. “Deputy Hoffstetter.”
His grin spread. “Aww . . . yeah, she has a thing for Mr. Deveraux. She’s none too happy he’s living with you. She thinks you’re—”
“Yeah,” I scowled. “I know what she thinks.”
He snickered. “I need to check out the house before you go in. Why don’t you wait out here, and I’ll tell you when it’s safe.”