When the Bough Breaks (Rose Gardner Investigations #6) - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,91

can, but he’s pushin’ me away too,” she said. “And honestly, when he brings those men in here, it scares me something fierce.”

I sat up straighter, realizing this wasn’t all about me. “Do you feel unsafe, Sandra?”

“James is falling into a pit, and some days I feel like I’m the only one he can still see at the top.” She gave me a sad smile. “I’m not leaving him until the bitter end.”

Did the fact that I was leaving him behind make me smart or disloyal?

She must have seen the look in my eyes, because she shook her head. “No, girl. We all got parts to play in this fiasco, and goin’ down with the ship isn’t yours.” Leaning over the counter, she placed a hand on my belly. “This is your part to play, to have this baby and give him the life James never had.”

I started to cry again.

“And one day, when your baby’s old enough to understand, tell him that there was a man who tried to make a better life, but he got lost in the weeds.” Her chin quivered. “Promise me that you won’t let your baby get lost in the weeds.”

“I won’t,” I said through my tears.

“Go have a good life, Rose Gardner. Give that baby the life James deserved all along.”

She turned and limped to the back then, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

Oh, James. You didn’t think you mattered to anyone, but my heart isn’t the only one you’ve broken.

But I didn’t just have myself to think about anymore. I’d grown up thinking my momma didn’t love me because I was lacking, and there was no way in hell I was going to let my baby feel that way about one of their parents.

I headed back to the office, but instead of going inside, I got into my truck and headed south of town, toward my future… and my past.

Chapter 25

It wasn’t hard to find the murder scene. Half a dozen sheriff cars and two state police cars were parked on the side of Highway 83. Crime scene tape had been set up, and from behind it I couldn’t make heads or tails of what was going on. It didn’t matter. That’s not why I was there.

I parked well behind the law enforcement vehicles as well as some lookie-loos who were standing on the shoulder, craning their necks to get a good view.

I walked past them and marched up to the first deputy I could find.

“This is a crime scene, miss,” he said with a frown. “You can’t be here.”

“I’m here to see Chief Deputy Simmons. Can you get him for me?” When he hesitated, I added, “Tell him it’s Rose. It’s important.”

His eyes flew wide as his gaze dipped to my stomach before rising to my face. Holding up a hand, he said, “Wait right here. And don’t let that baby go nowhere.”

I gave a nod. “We’ll wait.”

He rushed off and another deputy walked over with a curious expression. “You need to go back with the others.” He gestured to the group of bystanders.

“I’m waiting for Chief Deputy Simmons.”

He took in my stomach and understanding washed over his face. “You’re the mother of his baby. It’s your niece and nephew that are missin’.” He grimaced. “I’m surprised he called you already. They’re not announcing any details yet.”

“He didn’t tell me anything. That’s not why I’m here,” I said. And because I couldn’t help it, I decided to take a chance. “But I just came from Sonder Tech, and they’re really torn up about what happened.”

Irritation flickered in his eyes. “It’s already been leaked.”

I didn’t answer. It had, but I hadn’t heard it from Sonder Tech. “They said Calista was a good salesperson. And that she really loved her boyfriend. It’s a shame they were shot in the chest.”

The deputy frowned in disgust. “Fake news. They were shot in the head.” Then, realizing what he’d said, he became panicked. “You didn’t hear it from me.”

Neely Kate would be so proud of me, but I felt dirty knowing I’d tricked an officer of the law to spill information about the crime scene. Still, I was glad I knew, and better him than Joe. Now I could focus on the important part of my visit.

For the tenth or so time since I’d gotten in the truck to drive here, I considered whether I should tell Joe about my meeting with Vera. He’d be upset, justifiably, but Vera seemed harmless, and if it got us to