in his eyes, Savannah had to force herself not to gasp and step back. The last thing she wanted him to do was shut down or guard his responses.
“Before they got married, I told her that she’d rue the day she married that bastard.” His mouth twisted in a sanctimonious purse as he added, “I was right.”
For someone who talked almost daily to sadistic, evil people, Savannah was hard to shock or scare. This man had something wrong with him. It wasn’t just dissatisfaction with his choices in life or a bad marriage.
Despite her disquiet, she continued with her questions. Hoping to ease the tenseness, she tried a different approach. “How was it that you got into the furniture business?”
“My parents own Ingram’s Furnishings.”
“How interesting. I didn’t make the connection.”
Ingram’s Furnishings was one of the largest furniture companies in the South. Half the furniture in her apartment came from their store. She made a mental note to give it away when she returned home.
“I talked my daddy into expanding.” He straightened his shoulders as he proclaimed proudly, “I opened the first fine-furniture store in Midnight. The other one in town is just mass-produced crap.”
“Did you see my mother much after you moved here?”
“She came into the store occasionally.”
“What about my father?”
His face closed down and Savannah knew she’d gone too far—interrogating instead of holding a friendly conversation. Before she could figure out a way to get back on track, a soft hand touched her bare arm.
“Excuse me, Savannah Rose,” Gibby said. She smiled sweetly at Kyle. “Mind if I steal my niece for a minute?”
Kyle shook his head and backed away. “I was just about to say good night.” He gave a small nod to Savannah and said, “Good to see you again.”
Savannah watched as Kyle muttered something to Noreen and then they both walked toward the door. When would she ever get a chance to talk to him again?
Turning to her aunt, she smiled, thinking how pretty Gibby looked tonight. “You know, pink really is your color.”
Gibby glowed at the compliment but she had something else on her mind. “An idea came to me a few seconds ago that I thought could be significant to your investigation.”
Looking around, Savannah winced at the number of people who’d heard that statement. As Gibby grew older, her hearing had become less sharp and her voice had become louder. She took her aunt’s elbow and guided her gently toward a more private area a few feet away.
“Now, what was—”
“Gibby, I’m leaving. You coming?”
Hester, Gibby’s best friend, stood beside them.
“I’ll be there in just a few minutes. I wanted to talk to Savannah a minute.”
“I need to get home now. Scooter’s medicine was due half an hour ago.”
Savannah knew that Scooter was Hester’s elderly cat, who, she claimed, was the oldest cat in Alabama. Savannah didn’t doubt it, since she swore the cat had been around when she was a little girl.
Gibby sighed. “All right. I’m coming.”
“Zach and I can take you home, Gibby.”
Instead of answering, Gibby looked at Hester. “Go bring the car around and I’ll be on the porch.”
Her mission clear, Hester walked away.
“If I don’t go with her, she’ll pout for a week. Why don’t you come by for breakfast in the morning? I froze a delicious breakfast casserole a few months back. We’ll have a nice meal and chat.”
Since a few months back probably meant she’d frozen the casserole a couple of years ago, Savannah knew indigestion would result. However, it was worth it if Gibby had what she thought was significant information.
“That sounds good. Eight o’clock okay?”
“Perfect.”
Savannah leaned down and kissed the soft, creped cheek. “You be careful going home. See you in the morning.”
Gibby looked around Savannah. “Zach, you get my girl home at a decent hour, you hear?”
Startled, Savannah turned. Was Zach in the room when Gibby made the statement about her investigation? The glint of fury in his gray eyes answered her question. She had decided to tell him everything tonight. Wrapped in his arms, she had planned to reveal that and possibly more.
Gearing up for what was most likely not going to be the sizzling night of passion and sharing she had been anticipating, she watched Zach charm Gibby and escort her out the door. Savannah went to say her goodbyes to Lamont and Nesta. If Zach’s expression was anything to go by, she was not looking forward to the next few minutes.
Hurt and anger were each powerful emotions on their own. Mixed, they could