“She’s done.”
Hank nodded. “Now, do you have anything for me?”
Lee’s hand moved to my shoulder.
“Duke’s been found, he’s knows what’s happening and he’s coming home. His house has been tossed.”
I froze and asked Lee, “Someone was in his house?”
“Yeah,” Lee answered.
“A good someone or a bad someone?”
Lee looked down at me.
“Both, but only the bad someone tossed the house.”
“Do they have the diamonds?”
Lee exchanged another glance with Hank that I did not understand and then shrugged.
“Duke wouldn’t say where he stashed them, we won’t know until he comes home to check.”
I looked between the two brothers and I got the distinct feeling that something was going on.
Hank glanced at Matt who’d straightened and was quietly watching and listening.
“I hope you and your boys are being careful,” he told Lee and I had this weird feeling we were on a different subject.
“We’re workin’ this for a client,” Lee answered.
There were more looks passed around then Hank sighed the sigh of a man beleaguered, kissed me on the top of my head and left. Matt and Bobby waited around expectantly. Lee turned me into his arms.
“Don’t let Hank scare you about Tex. He’s trying to mess with your head enough to keep you out of this. Tex’ll be all right.”
I nodded.
“We’re gonna have to postpone our plans for the day. I’ll take you to the store then I have to go check a lead on Rosie. I also need to have a chat with Tex. I’ll be at your house no later than three. Earlier if I can make it.”
I nodded. “Do you think Rosie went into Duke’s house?”
His hand went to my chin and tilted it up.
“You have to prepare for the worst, Rosie may no longer be of this world, and if he is, he may no longer be able to walk free amongst its citizens.”
I nodded again.
Then, right in front of his boys, he kissed me, full-on, full-tongue, full-throttle. His arms wrapped around my back and mine went around his neck.
He lifted his head and I breathed, “That shot me straight to a six.”
Good ole boy Lee used to laugh all the time, but when he went into the Army, that changed. The grins were few, the smiles were rare and a laugh from Lee felt like a gift.
After I said that, for the first time in a long time, I watched as Lee threw his head back and laughed.
Chapter Nine
The New Definition of Fine