Page 147 of It Runs in the Family

Boone’s gaze remained on the screen, his face set in concentration. “Or Miss Loretta missed seein’ her.”

“I don’t think Miss Loretta misses much.” I sounded calm, but my stomach was in knots.

“I think they’re lookin’ for the flash drive,” Boone said, his voice tight. “Whatever’s on there has to be important if it’s coded.”

“Eddie says Rebecca was the last person to be seen with it.” I glanced over at him. “But we found the flash drive in Rita’s garage this morning. It can’t be the same thing.”

“Not necessarily. Selena may have made a copy.”

He was right. So, if Rebecca hadn’t produced a flash drive, why hadn’t Selena retrieved the drive in the coat pocket and given it to Voss? I wasn’t ready to admit it to Boone, but I was also struggling to believe she’d forgotten where she’d left it.

Boone reached over and tapped the box labeled DV. The top three texts stole my breath. The last one was time stamped at 4:17 a.m.

DV

Where the fuck are you?

Trying to find Rebecca. She’s not at her house

Get your ass back here. I found her

“Voss killed her,” I said, my eyes burning.

“It’s not proof, but it’s a good assumption.”

We sat in silence for a moment, but my worry for Rita resurfaced. If Selena had made a copy, Voss might not know, but if she confessed, Rita and Baby JJ could be in danger. And as much as I hated to admit it, I didn’t want John Jacob to get hurt either.

“I have to call Rita,” I said. “I have to get her out of that house.”

“What are you gonna tell her?”

I drew in a shaky breath. Only one sure thing would get her to leave, but what would Boone think when he heard me say it?

Maybe this was the way to tell him.

I called her number, and she picked up right away.

“I was just about to call you,” she said breathlessly. “I talked to Garrett, and he assured me it’s not Selena.”

I wanted to say thank goodness, but I was tired of lying. “Rita, I don’t want you to panic, but you need to listen to me.”

“You’re scarin’ me, Iris.”

“I know, and I’m sorry, but Selena left something at your house, and I’m worried the person who killed that woman is gonna show up lookin’ for it.”

“What would they be lookin’ for?” she asked, sounding half-panicked.

“That’s not important. Boone and I found it this morning, so if they show up, it won’t be there.”

Boone’s face hardened with fury.

“John Jacob’s gonna be home soon,” Rita said. “We’ll be okay.”

“No, you won’t, Rita. These people are murderers.”

“You don’t know Selena had anything to do with that murdered woman,” she protested, her voice cracking. “She’s probably off galivantin’ with her newest paycheck.”

“Rita, you have to believe me,” I insisted.