Page 51 of Where Secrets Lie

There was a tentative knock on the door, and it opened slightly. Jess’s secretary poked her head in. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but, um, everyone is waiting for you in the meeting, Ms. Legare.”

Jess looked up. “Tell them I’m on my way.”

The secretary nodded and shut the door.

Jess stood and picked up a notepad and pen. “If you care about Savannah, you’ll get her out of here. And you’ll do it fast.” She walked out without waiting for his response.

Hez followed her into the hall and retraced his steps to his office, moving like a sleepwalker. The magnitude of her betrayal stunned him. She must have been planning this for years, probably since she first set foot on campus. Maybe even before. Why? She said it was for family, but what family did she have other than Simon and Savannah?

Savannah. How was he going to tell her about Jess’s treachery? It would devastate her. And what if Jess was right that the bestthing he could do was get Savannah away before the university imploded? Every fiber of his being resisted giving up without a fight and running away, but he had to consider Savannah’s best interests too. He hadn’t done that often enough in the past.

Dear God, what am I going to do?

***

The breeze from Bon Secour Bay lifted Savannah’s hair and swirled the scent of water and seafood with it as she walked toward Hez’s condo with a carton of buttermilk. The streets were crowded with residents and tourists in town for the gumbo festival, and she’d had to park several blocks away. She spotted groups along the waterfront setting up tasting tables. The chef of the winning dish would take home a Best Gumbo ribbon as well as a weekend at Bayfront Inn along with a full-course meal for two at Billy’s Seafood.

The catfish she’d promised Hez needed to marinate at least two hours in buttermilk and hot sauce, and she was later than she’d planned due to the challenge of finding parking. She stepped around a couple arguing in the middle of the sidewalk and speed-walked down the side of Hez’s brick building to the iron steps leading to the condo. She hurried up the stairs, reached for her key, and twisted it in the keyhole, but the door wasn’t locked. Hez was always careful about security, especially since he didn’t own the condo, but maybe his head injury had let the routine lapse.

She pushed inside and gaped to see Jess, still in her skirt and heels, standing in the kitchen near the sink. “Jess? What are you doing here?”

Jess whirled and went pale. Her hand shot to her throat. “Savannah, you scared the life out of me. What are you doing sneaking in like that?”

“Sneaking? Hez is my fiancé, so it’s hardly unusual for me to stop by. Your presence here, however, is the real shocker. How’d you get in?”

Jess didn’t look at her as she reached for her purse on its side on the counter. “I came by to pick up some paperwork Hez left for me.”

Savannah glanced around the kitchen and dining table. “What paperwork? I don’t see anything.”

“It’s in my purse.”

Savannah eyed the medium bag now slung over her sister’s shoulder and unease trickled down her spine. “What paperwork did he have? I can call Hez and make sure you get what you need.”

Jess pressed her lips together and shook her head. “I don’t have time for this, Savannah. I needed the paperwork for a meeting, and I’ve got it, but I’m late now.” She brushed past Savannah and exited, shutting the door behind her.

What on earth had just happened? Savannah should have pressed Jess on how she got in. Savannah rubbed her head. Her sister’s peculiarities weren’t important right now. A romantic evening with Hez stretched in front of her, and she didn’t have time to worry about Jess’s behavior when she needed to prepare dinner. Hez would be home in half an hour.

Her sister’s scent still lingered as Savannah stepped into the kitchen and dropped her large purse onto the table before moving toward the fridge. Her gaze swept the room and landed on the cabinet under the sink. The door stood ajar, and shepeeked in Hez’s trash bin. Her gut clenched at the bottle resting on top of plastic and cardboard. With a trembling hand she reached in and removed the empty bottle of Mondavi cabernet sauvignon. Just like last time.

Could... could Jess have put it there? She had seemed flustered and evasive, and she never explained how she got into Hez’s locked condo. Did she steal his key? Savannah suddenly wanted to throw up.

She set the glass container on the counter and pressed her fingers to her eyes so she didn’t have to look at it. She’d been so quick to believe the worst of Hez even when he protested his innocence. He’d been convinced all along the first wine bottle had been planted, and this appeared to be proof he was right and Savannah was wrong.

Savannah didn’t want to believe her sister would be so devious, but Jess was used to getting what she wanted, and she’d never warmed to Hez being part of their family.

If Jess had done this, it was utterly despicable.

Savannah opened her eyes and put the bottle in her large bag where Hez wouldn’t find it. She needed to think this through before she told him about it after dinner. Maybe the two of them could figure out Jess’s motive.

Chapter 29

Jess walked along the deserted sidewalk on the east side of campus, trapped in a waking nightmare. The cooing doves in the tupelo trees, bright afternoon sun, and gentle breeze all felt unreal. The hints of the coming spring and fresh life did not touch the cold, dark ruins in her heart.

Just over twenty-four hours ago, everything had seemed perfect. Savannah had finally signed the loan, the smuggling operation was humming along nicely, and Jess was headed to her favorite city for a quick trip to sell an artifact at a very good price. And to top it off, Hez’s Justice Chamber minions were doing a marvelous job of aggravating Pierre and chipping away at his sleazy trust fund. On their most recent call, Punisher had even complimented Jess on the flawless execution of her plan.

Then the avalanche began. It started small, like avalanches often did. As Jess was walking to Mad Dog for her meeting with the artifact buyer, Toni had texted to say the tires on Jess’s car—which Toni was still borrowing—had been slashed. She was very apologetic that she hadn’t returned the car earlier. She said she’d make sure the tires were replaced ASAP and that she’d talk to Hez about how to handle the repairs. Jess hadtaken it in stride. She didn’t drive much, and the more distractions Hez had on his plate, the better.

After that, the disasters cascaded one after another, crashing down on Jess like boulders. She still didn’t understand how Savannah came to be sitting where the buyer should have been. Then the raids hit every part of the smuggling operation, followed by the news that Little Joe and Tommy were dead. Jess was still reeling from the disastrous blow at the meeting with Hez, and now Savannah had walked in while Jess was planting the bottle in Hez’s trash.

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