AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Got it. Well, I won’t take up any more of your time. I’ll let you know what we find.”
He did his best to keep from grinning like an idiot until he left the station. The meeting could not have gone any better. Richards had given him more information about the case than she really had to, though he would have been entitled to it eventually if Savannah were charged. But more importantly—much more importantly—Richards didn’t act like Savannah was likely to ever be charged. This had been a collaborative meeting between two investigators, not a cop meeting with a suspect’s attorney. Hez had been in both types of meetings, and he knew the difference.
Thinking of Savannah brought a flash flood of memories about Ella. Hez’s smile vanished and his stomach muscles tightened. He paused with his hand on the door of his car.
He struggled with his pain briefly before he was able to force his mind back to the just-finished meeting. He visualized telling the good news to Savannah. She’d thank him and reward him with one of those smiles where her whole face lit up. She might even hug him. And maybe Beckett would be there to see it. Hez chuckled at the idea—and at himself for thinking like a teenager competing for a girl.
His equilibrium restored, he got in his car and headed back to campus. Someday he’d have to confront his responsibility for his daughter’s death, but not today. It was still too fresh—his meltdown the other day made that clear. He didn’t want to think about what would have happened if he hadn’t run into Professor Hinkle at Publix.
He needed to be more careful when he approached the dark places in his memory where the demons lurked. And he should stay away from them whenever possible, especially when he was alone. Maybe next year he’d be ready to wrestle with them. Or the year after that.
* * *
Jess’s mansion on the outskirts of Pelican Harbor oozed privilege and power. The sunset painted the Greek Revival house in oranges and gold, giving it a warm and inviting look that Savannah knew was entirely external. Jess lived alone and only used the larger rooms when she was throwing upscale parties for donors or financiers. The only parts of the house that got regular use were the home office and pool, where Jess put in miles each day. The rest of it felt lifeless and dusty, even though Jess’s maid service kept it spotless.
Savannah had stayed in the house briefly when she returned to Tupelo Grove after the collapse of her marriage, but she moved out as soon as she found her cottage. She’d felt guilty for leaving her sister all by herself, but she just couldn’t live somewhere that felt like a cross between a luxury furniture showroom and a mausoleum.
She rang the bell, and Jess opened the door in a bathing cover-up. “I was just about to go for a swim.” Her gaze fell on the Mac’s Irish Pub box in Savannah’s hands. “You brought shepherd’s pie? I suppose I could cancel my swim for now, but you should have called.”
Savannah followed her inside. Why was it always this way with her sister? Savannah had no trouble standing up for herself, but informing her sister of unpleasant news was always a chore she would rather avoid. Nevertheless, this had to be done.
The sooner the better. She wouldn’t be able to eat a bite with the argument looming over her head. “I have something important to discuss with you.”
Jess eyed her warily. “What?”
“Whoever killed Abernathy might have left clues in the university’s fiscal records, but they’re behind a firewall in the computer system.” Savannah set the box of food on the dining table and drew in a breath. “You need to give Beckett access to the full school financials.”
Jess pulled the box of shepherd’s pie toward her and lifted the lid. She inhaled and smiled. “No one makes shepherd’s pie like Mac’s.”
Savannah crossed her arms over her chest. “Did you hear me?”
Jess sighed. “Look, Savannah, I don’t want to fight with you. The school is my responsibility, and no one has full access but me. Not Beckett. Just me.” She stared at Savannah. “Hez is behind this, isn’t he?”
Savannah’s cheeks warmed. “We all thought it was a good idea. The police suspect me. I could feel it, and Hez confirmed it. We’re trying to throw the investigation in another direction—hopefully the right one. Whoever is selling off the artifacts has to be running the money through the school’s books.”
“You think I’m stupid? That I wouldn’t notice it? I know my job, even if you don’t think so. There’s nothing in the records to be seen.”
“You’re the smartest person I know, Jess, and maybe I’m wrong. I can concede I might be.” Aware she was babbling, Savannah silently counted to ten and tried to calm her racing pulse. She had to convince Jess somehow. Hez and Beckett were depending on her. “What could it hurt to let Beckett poke around? He knows the inner workings of the history department, and he might spot some small detail that will lead us in the right direction.”
“I never should have hired Hez. He’s the best lawyer I’ve ever met, but . . .” Jess shook her head. “I don’t want him to hurt you again, and I’m afraid you’ll let him. You have blinders on when it comes to him.”
“I see more than you know.” Savannah wet her lips. “You’ve always been there for me, and I need your help. I don’t know where to search next if you say no. I might as well turn myself in and let them put me in jail.”
“You’re so melodramatic.” Jess pulled out a chair and sank onto it. “If you didn’t need something from me, I’d still be in the dark about the investigation. That has to stop. If I let Beckett look at the financials, you have to keep me apprised on what’s happening. And Beckett examines nothing without my being there. Is that clear?”
“Of course.” Savannah felt faint with relief. Though it was nothing short of a miracle, she’d convinced Jess. “Thank you so much. I love you, Jess.”
She made a move toward her sister, but Jess held up her hand. “If I do this, I want you to promise me you’ll keep Hez at arm’s length. He’s here for one reason only, and you know it. He wants you to come back to him, and that can’t happen, Savannah Elaine Webster. Do you understand?”
“He’s only here for one semester—and remember, that was his idea. Would he have suggested that if he was really trying to win me back?” It surprised her how much it stung to admit that.
“True. You’re saying all the right things, but I can see he still touches a place in your heart. He nearly destroyed you once, and I won’t stand by and let that happen again.”
“I feel like I don’t really know him anymore. There’s such a disconnect between our lives now. I mean, there always was really. And after Ella’s death, it all became crystal clear.” Her eyes misted and she fought to keep her voice even. “I—I don’t even think he went to Ella’s grave yesterday. There were no flowers or anything that suggested he’d been to visit her.”
Jess put a hand on Savannah’s arm. “I’m sorry. Fortunately, he’s only here for a few months. Once Christmas comes, he’ll be out of your hair.”
Jess opened the box of shepherd’s pie, releasing the rich aroma of beef, garlic, and potatoes. But Savannah’s appetite vanished at the thought of Hez leaving the college. She was afraid to examine why.
