Page 13 of Where Secrets Lie

“Me? I’ve never had a management position like that.”

“You and Hez cracked that ring robbing us blind. If not for the two of you, we could be bankrupt soon. You showed wisdom and strength in your dogged search.”

“And you solved two murders.” Ira Duncan appeared as ancient as one of the artifacts, and his voice was faint and shaky. “You dug hard. You and Jess would make an outstanding team. Two Legares at the top. It couldn’t be a better situation to transform TGU. Would you consider taking the job?”

“I—I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it.”

“I’m sure if you think about it, you’ll see it makes perfect sense,” her dad said.

“What about my classes?”

Her father waved his hand as if to shoo away gnats. “We can spread out the load with the other faculty.”

The trustees rose and moved toward the door with her father. “We have an excellent package for you, but your dad assured us money isn’t a major motivator for you.” Ira paused and looked her in the eye. “We know you care about TGU. It’s in your blood, and that deep love can turn things around for us. We’ll await your decision.”

Savannah saw them out with her head stuffed full of conflicting thoughts. They weren’t wrong. She did love the university, and she’d hate to see it fail. Besides, Hez’s plans for the legal clinic could move forward. She envisioned buying a house near Jess’s where she could watch Simon grow up. Saying yes felt like a no-brainer, but she’d talk to Hez and seek his opinion. Maybe her life wasn’t about to be upended.

***

Half a year had passed since Hez last set foot in Jimmy Little’s office, but it felt like much longer. A lot had changed—at least for Hez. Jimmy looked exactly the same—he even wore thesame ratty Crimson Tide sweatshirt he had on the last time Hez visited the office on a Saturday.

Jimmy was an enormous man who had struck terror into SEC quarterbacks on the gridiron until a knee injury ended his football career twenty-five years ago. Now he dominated courtrooms the way he used to dominate the line of scrimmage. He had a successful firm, Little & Associates, where Hez had worked before going down to TGU. Jimmy still kept an office with Hez’s name on the door in case he decided to come back. Jimmy was also Hez’s Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, which was the main reason Hez had made the four-hour drive from Pelican Harbor to Birmingham. Jimmy would understand what it meant to have the love of your life find an empty wine bottle in your trash.

“I’m sorry to hear about Savannah’s tenure situation.” Jimmy shook his massive head. “There are lots of good schools in Birmingham. I’m sure one of them would snap her up.”

“Fingers crossed. She’s working on her résumé now, and I wouldn’t mind coming back up here.”

A hopeful gleam came into Jimmy’s brown eyes. “I could let you have some office space for the Justice Chamber. I’d even make it rent free if you’d take a few cases for me.”

That got Hez’s attention. Little & Associates occupied the ideal spot for a law office—right between Birmingham’s two main courthouses. It even had a nice view. “Wow, that’s very generous, Jimmy. I’ll let you know what we decide to do.”

“Let me help you decide. I know lots of people at all the top schools in town. I’d be happy to make some calls for Savannah.” Jimmy’s leather chair groaned as he leaned forward.“Hey, let me take you guys to dinner tonight! I’ve known you for two years, but I’ve never met Savannah.”

Hez squirmed at the reminder of their long separation and the divorce that followed. Had they finally overcome the dark chasm between them—or had the last few months been an illusion? “Actually, she’s not here. I came up by myself.”

Jimmy’s bushy salt-and-pepper brows shot up. “Oh? Why’s that?”

“Partially because I wanted to eyeball possible office space for the Justice Chamber and she’s not ready to visit schools yet. But also... well, it’s kind of a weird story.” Hez told Jimmy about the mystery bottle, ending with Savannah’s suggestion that he see a neurologist.

Jimmy let out a long whistle and leaned back behind his hand-carved walnut desk. “That’s crazy, man.”

“I know, right? It doesn’t make any sense. I don’t know what to do next.”

“I do.”

Hez sat up straight. “You do? What?”

“See your neurologist.”

The bottom fell out of Hez’s stomach. Even Jimmy doubted him. “I thought you’d understand.”

“I do understand—and I believe you.”

Hez’s temper flared. “So why are you literally telling me to get my head examined?”

“Because she asked you to, and it’s not a crazy request. You just said this doesn’t make any sense to you. Why should it make any sense to her?”

“She should trust me.”

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