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“He was leaving it all to you. He cut Mom out. She only got a share if you were either in prison or…”
“Dead,” I finish for him. “I had no idea. He didn’t tell me. Why would he change it?”
It kills him to speak badly about his mom, but he shoves the feelings away to explain his theory. “I think your dad knew if you got the money, you’d spread it around. If Mom needed something, you’d help. If me or Anderson asked, you’d be generous. And Mom—” he shakes his head, “Mom has never been known for her generosity.”
“But if she killed him, then the will stands.”
Rhett answers my unasked question. “Unless you’re convicted of murder, then I bet the estate goes to her.”
Tucker looks up, slightly emotional, nodding in agreement “Yeah. It’s not the best light for her, is it? I’ve been trying to come to terms with it for weeks, but Anderson, he doesn’t believe me. We got into it before I left. I’m still sporting a few bruises. He’s on Mom’s side, thinks you’re guilty. In all honesty, he’s probably hot on my heels.”
I shiver to think of going head to head with Anderson. The faded bruise on Tucker’s cheekbone is probably the tip of the iceberg for what he actually did. Sure, we’ve sparred, but I know he always held back to keep me safe. If he thinks I’m a murderer…
“So, you see why I’m here?” Tucker takes me by the shoulders. “I have to watch out for you. I can’t let anything happen to you.”
I exhale, feeling the weight of the past months rest on my shoulders. “I’ve been watching out for myself just fine, Tucker. You should leave before you get caught up in this.”
“I already am, Liza.” He ducks down to meet my eyes. I spot another bruise on the inside of his forearm. “If I left and something happened to you, I’d never forgive myself.”
“She’s not alone. We’ve managed to protect her without you.” Rhett moves again to break my stepbrother’s grip on my shoulders. “If she says you should leave, then that’s what you should do.”
Disappointment floods Tucker’s expression. “You haven’t faced my brother yet, Cowboy. You have no idea the wrath that’s about to rain down on you.”
“What’s my alternative?” I see no other path that will lead to freedom. My only choice is to run with Rhett like we were planning. If I stay ten steps ahead of Anderson, we might have a chance. “If I go back with you, they’ll charge me, body or not.” I choke on the word, sour in my mouth. I hate that reality finally caught me. How I ache to sink back into my life as Sunny.
“I don’t know.” Tuckers fingers thread into his chestnut hair. I note the split knuckles on his right hand. “If we had the murder weapon or a body, we’d have a chance, but right now we have a missing person’s case and you’re the best suspect. Everyone saw your fight at the gala. When the police went looking, it was your name that came up the most often. And with you clearly running, it doesn’t look good.”
I’m stuck back on what he said about the murder weapon. It’s a dangerous door to open, but if it means my freedom, wouldn’t it be worth it?
“If you had the gun that killed him, how would it help?” I try not to admit that it’s in my possession, but the look in his eye tells me I did a miserable job of it.
“They could check registration, dust for prints, all sorts of things.” His voice picks up speed with every word. “Wait, are you saying you have it?”
“She didn’t say anything.” Rhett cuts him off. “She’s asking how you can help her.”
“I have friends in the department. If we keep her hidden, we can run the tests to gather evidence and build a case against the real killer, whoever that may be.” I don’t like the caveat he leaves on the end. I know he still has doubts. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. I don’t know what happened that night. The memories are still too hazy, obscured by whatever drug Charlene gave me.
“So, leave her here,” Rhett says. “She doesn’t need to leave for your plan to work.”
“It’ll look better if she’s in the same state, not on the run though.” Tucker sighs. “You don’t realize how bad it’s gotten at home. It hasn’t spilled over state lines yet, but it will. It’s only a matter of time. I’m trying to help you get ahead of this.”
I know he means well, just like I know Rhett is only trying to protect me. But like the night that everything fell apart, my head is swimming with anxieties and voices. Something tells me the wrong choice will cost me everything.
Rhett
I don’t like the way she trusts him implicitly. Maybe it’s just my nature, but I wait for most people to prove themselves before I’m willing to put my life in their hands. Granted, he’s her brother. The fact that it’s by marriage isn’t relevant. I think back to that first morning when I went to wake her up. Tucker was the name she called me in her dreamy state. She clearly had a great friendship with him. Just because Carl and I have rarely gotten along, it doesn’t mean everyone has that strain in their relationships.
Distrust kept me safe on the streets though. When people are willing to lie to get what they need, it’s best to learn to take it with a block of salt. But then I don’t want to push her away either.
“I have the gun.” Her voice brings my thoughts back to Sunny. “It’s hidden, but I can take you there.”
I want to object. That gun is her only bargaining chip. While Tucker claims to be connected, from what Sunny has told me, her stepmother has people in her back pocket as well. If a piece of evidence were lost or altered, Sunny would go down for something she never did. I don’t plan on leaving her on her own. If she’s leaving, I’m going with her.
“I’ll get my truck,” I say, digging in my pocket for my keys.
“No need.” Tucker motions to his sedan. “I’ll drive.”
“Hey Rhett!” Carl’s voice calls from the porch of the house. “Dad wants you. He says it’s important.”
