RG2 - Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons (9 page)

Violet and Austin carried on most of the dinner conversation. They talked about high school and Austin’s travels, and I added little, feeling out of my element. But Austin, who sat on my right, refused to accept my silence. “What interestin’ places have you visited?” he asked after telling us about his last trip to Boston.

I stared at the salad on my plate. “I haven’t been anywhere. Yet.” I looked up. “I’d love to go to Italy.”

“Which part?”

“Rome, Venice, Tuscany. There’s so much history there. You can see buildings that are thousands of years old.”

He grinned. “I did an internship in Venice, studying Roman architecture.”

My eyes flew open in surprise.

“I have a ton of pictures I’d love to show you sometime.”

As tempting as his offer was, I quelled my enthusiasm. For some odd reason, Austin Kent actually seemed interested in me and it wouldn’t be fair to encourage him. “Austin, that would be really nice but I already have—”

“Rose!” Violet interrupted. “Could you help me out and bring in the cheesecake?”

We stared at each other for several moments before I stood and grabbed my plate. “Sure.”

Mike picked up his plate and Violet’s. “I’ll give her a hand.”

I followed Mike into the kitchen. His mouth pursed as I scraped leftovers into sink and he loaded the dishwasher.

I struggled with what to say, but he spoke first.

“I’m sorry, Rose. I told her not to do it. You’re with Joe but for some damned reason, she’s decided he’s not good enough for you.” He looked me in the eye. “I like Joe, and even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have had any part in this. It’s your business, none of ours.”

“Thanks, Mike.” Leaning my butt into the counter, I smiled at him. “I know you wouldn’t do this. Violet’s not acting like herself. What’s goin’ on?”

“What’s goin’ on…” He picked up a kitchen towel with a snap. “Is that Violet’s decided she’s unhappy with her life.”

My mouth dropped. “Has she said that?”

“No, not outright.”

“Oh, Mike. It’s probably just Momma’s death. She and Momma weren’t really speakin’ and as horrible as she was, she was still our mother. Violet’s bound to be affected by it all.”

He took a deep breath and looked out the window over the sink. “I hope you’re right, Rose.” Mike kissed me on the cheek. “I know I’m just your brother-in-law, but for what it’s worth, Joe’s a good man and he’s lucky to have you.” Then he pulled the cheesecake out of the refrigerator and carried it into the dining room.

When I sat down, Austin asked about my job. Working at the DMV wasn’t very exciting, but I had a few stories about customers to share. Austin laughed and picked up the wine bottle to fill my glass.

I put my hand over the top. “None for me. I have jury duty tomorrow.”

“Jury duty.” Austin leaned close. “I have to admire a woman doin’ her civic duty.”

“There’s nothing to admire. If I hadn’t shown up, I’d probably be in jail right now.”

Austin laughed like I’d made a joke. I tried to keep from scowling. There was nothing funny about incarceration.

“So tell us about the case.” Austin’s eyebrows rose, giving him a mischievous look.” Is it exciting?”

“I can’t really talk about—”

Violet leaned forward and whispered. “It’s a murder trial.”

His eyes lit up with interest.

“I assure you it’s not as exciting as it sounds.” It hit me that Joe said the same thing about his job, nearly word for word, the day before. My heart swelled, missing him more than I thought possible. For heaven’s sakes. He’d only been gone two days. But I couldn’t pretend to be polite and social when my heart was aching.

I stood, smiling at Violet and Mike. “Thank you for dinner, but I need to get home. The air conditioning is still out in the courthouse and it’s bound to be a long, tiring day tomorrow.”

Austin stood. “I’ll walk you out.”

Violet’s mouth contorted from happy to sour and back again. How much
had
she had to drink?

I gave Austin a tight smile. “That’s really not necessary.”

“I insist.”

I grabbed my purse and couldn’t help pulling my cell phone out to see if I’d missed any calls. Austin paused to talk to Mike and I hurried outside hoping to lose him, but he stuck close to my heels.

“Rose, wait up.”

I stood next to my car door and looked up at him. He really was a handsome man, but I felt no attraction to him. My heart belonged to Joe.

“It’s funny that I don’t remember you from back when we were all in high school.”

“Well,” I stalled. “You were several years ahead of me and I was pretty forgettable.”

His voice lowered. “I find that hard to believe.”

I sucked in my breath. “Look, Austin, you’re really a nice guy…”

He tilted his head with a grin. “Ahh…not the
you’re a nice guy
line. Just give me a chance. Go out with me Friday night.”

My mouth twisted into a half smile. “What Violet didn’t tell you is that I already have boyfriend. For some reason she doesn’t approve of him, thus her settin’ this up. I’m sorry.”

He sighed. “Now it all makes sense. No wonder Mike acted so weird.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No,” he shook his head and took my phone from my hand. “You didn’t do anything wrong and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t glad Violet introduced us.” He punched a few buttons on my phone, watched if for several seconds, and handed it back. “If things don’t work out with that boyfriend of yours, give me a call. I’m only sorry I wasn’t more observant years ago or I might not have lost out on my chance.”

I blushed, thankful my color was hidden by the dark. “Well, good night, Austin.”

“Goodnight, Rose Gardner. I shall wait for your call.”

As I drove away, I hoped Austin didn’t share my gift of foresight.

Chapter Seven

I took Muffy outside, staring at Austin Kent’s number on my cell phone. I wasn’t interested in the man, so why didn’t I delete his number? There was no doubt about it. I was hedging my bets, as Daddy used to say, but that was ridiculous. Even if Joe dumped me, I wouldn’t call him. I pulled up the screen to erase his number when it rang. After I jumped and nearly dropped the phone, I saw Joe’s name and fumbled to answer.

Don’t sound needy. Don’t sound needy
.

Herding Muffy inside, I gushed, “Joe, where have you been? I’ve been worried sick! You haven’t answered your phone for two days.”

Yeah, just like that
.

Joe laughed. “Slow down. First things first.” His voice sounded warm and husky. “I’ve missed you like crazy.”

I pouted, even as my body flushed at the sound of his voice. “I could tell by the way you called me.”

“I couldn’t help it, darlin’. I promise. I would have called if I could, but I was working into the middle of the night last night, then I misplaced my phone most of today. I only found it a short while ago.”

“So you weren’t taking a shower with Hilary this afternoon?” I asked, half ashamed of asking, but half dreading the answer.

“
What
? No! How can you ask me that?”

“Why don’t you ask Hilary.”

A full three seconds of silence passed. “I’m gonna kill her. What did she say?”

Relieved, I sank into my new fluffy sofa. “I don’t want to talk about Hilary.”

“Rose. Listen to me. I wasn’t with her—well I was, because we work together—but not how you’re thinkin’. And just so you don’t find this out later and think I was lyin’ to you, I
did
take a shower this afternoon at the gym after I worked out. You have to believe me.”

I felt like an idiot for worrying. Neely Kate was right. “Of course I do.”

“But you had doubts?”

“It’s hard not to when she answers your phone in a sexy voice and tells me you’re takin’ a shower and I can hear the water in the background.”

He groaned. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t find my phone all afternoon. She must have taken it while I was in the bathroom.
At work
. We weren’t alone, Rose. I promise.”

“It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. Trust me. I’ll deal with Hilary tomorrow. Are we good or do we need to talk about this more?”

“I’m good.”

“I miss you.”

My heart ached at the longing in his words and my voice hitched, “I miss you too.”

“I’m not sure I can wait until Friday to see you.”

Butterflies took flight in my stomach. “You can’t come down here, Joe. You’ll get in trouble.”

“Come see me, Rose. Please. Take a couple of days off. Or quit. You hate that job.”

I knew without a doubt I would have done it. I would have said goodbye to the DMV forever if that’s what it would take to go to Little Rock. But my job wasn’t what stopped me. “Oh, Joe.” I didn’t hide my tears. “I’d quit right now if I could, but if I came to see you tomorrow, I’d get arrested.”

He paused then asked in a guarded tone, “What are you talking about?”

“I got picked for jury duty. If I don’t show up, they’ll arrest me.”

I heard his exhale of relief.

“Wait. What were you thinkin’?”

He laughed. “Darlin’, with you there’s just no telling. So you made jury duty, huh? What kind of case?”

“That’s why I was so desperate to talk to you. I have a problem. I had a vision about the case. ”

Joe didn’t seem that surprised. “And?”

“Joe, it’s a murder trial and the defendant’s innocent.”

“How do you know he’s innocent?”

“I told you. I had a vision.”

“Why don’t you start from the beginning and tell me everything.”

“Are you sure it’s okay? I’m not supposed to talk about the case.” I’d wanted to talk to him for two days but now worried I was breaking the law.

“It’s okay. I’m a detective with the state police. I won’t tell anyone, and I sure won’t try to sway your decision.”

It was a relief to share my problem, especially with Joe. I told him everything, starting with Officer Ernie giving me a parking ticket and ending with leaving the courthouse that afternoon. I didn’t tell him about my evening at Violet’s. I didn’t want to make him worry, especially when I wasn’t the least bit interested in Austin Kent.

When I finished, Joe sighed. “Oh, Rose. I’m so sorry. I wish I’d been around to talk. I know how hard this has to be for you.”

My voice broke. “I just don’t know what to do.”

“I know, let’s work through it, okay? What do you see as your options?”

I wiped a tear from my cheek. “My first option is to tell the assistant D.A. what I know.”

“Okay, do you think that would work?”

“No.” I scoffed. “He’d never believe me for one thing and for another, he’d think I was crazy. For some bizarre reason, he purposely got me on the jury. I’d almost feel like I was lettin’ him down.”

Joe’s voice hardened. “You don’t owe Mason Deveraux anything, got it? This is about you, not that stuffy-ass assistant D.A.”

How did Joe know about Mason Deveraux? I didn’t remember mentioning his name. “Yeah, you’re right.”

“What’s your next option?”

“I could tell the defense attorney, but hates me and he’d never believe me.”

“Okay, next?” Joe didn’t ask why the defense attorney hated me, just accepted it.

I closed my eyes, concentrating. “Maybe I could leave an anonymous tip.”

“What do you think you’d say?”

I groaned in frustration. “I guess there’s not much to say, is there? That the pin belongs to some mysterious man who murdered the victim, but I don’t know who it is, only that he was at the courthouse on Monday morning, he likes crossword puzzles, and he has a cat.”

“What’s your other option?”

“I don’t have any other options, Joe. Not that I can think of.”

“I know one.”

I sat up. “What?”

“You do nothing.”

“What? I can’t do—”

“Rose, trust the system. This guy is innocent until proven guilty.”

“No he’s not, trust me. Everyone think he’s guilty—from the jury to the police, and as little as Mr. Yates is tryin’, I suspect he thinks he’s guilty too.”

“Rose…”

“No, Joe. You’re not in there. Mason Deveraux has all of this circumstantial evidence and Mr. Yates isn’t fightin’ any of it and the jury’s eatin’ it all up, which I don’t understand. Even without a vision, I could tell that Bruce Wayne didn’t smash that guy’s head in. He’s right handed and the wound was on the right side. The murderer is left handed.”

“How in the world do you know that?”

“I saw it in my vision. He was doing a crossword puzzle and he wrote the word in with his left hand.”

“Rose.” Joe’s voice tightened and clipped the end of my name, the sign he was frustrated with me. “That doesn’t mean a
thing
.”

“Of course it does. Someone right handed would have hit the victim on the left side, how could they all miss that?”

“Rose, they were probably
fightin’
. Fights are ugly and they’d be moving around. The victim wasn’t just standing there waiting to get his head bashed in.”

“I’m not stupid, Joe McAllister. I know that.” I growled in irritation—I’d just called him Joe McAllister out of habit.

“I’m sure they’re reasoning that there was a scuffle. That’s why no one is questioning the placement of the wound. You may be right, though. If the murderer is left-handed, the wound is more likely to be on the right side. But Rose, that’s hardly enough to exonerate the defendant. Especially since they found the murder weapon on his property.”

“Well, then what am I going to do?”

“You’re going to do nothing and trust the system.”

“I can’t let an innocent man go to jail, Joe.”

“I’m not sayin’ you are, but for now, do nothing.”

I sucked in a deep breath, fighting back my frustration. “Joe, that could have been me. If things had turned out different, I could be in jail right now, waiting to be tried for her murder. And I’d have been convicted, too. You
know
that.”

“Rose, this isn’t you. And it’s not like this Bruce Wayne Decker is a fine upstanding citizen. You said he’d been arrested multiple times before.”

“Yeah, for small crimes. Nothing violent. Nothing even close to this.”