Page 65 of Where Secrets Lie

“I’m saying you’d best be very, very careful if you’re going after him.”

Hez turned, revealing the holster on his hip. “You know what a cautious fellow I am.”

Jimmy smiled at the reference toRaiders of the Lost Ark, which they’d watched multiple times together. “That’s a good first step. But a gun on your hip won’t protect against another bomb in your car.”

“I Uber now.”

“You know what I mean. I think this guy plays for keeps. You need your eyes wide open.”

Toni sat up straight. “Speaking of car bombs, I wonder if the bomb that killed Jess is tied to the failed New York police raid. She was the only known contact between Hornbrook and TGU, right? What if she came across evidence connecting him to the smuggling, and she was killed to keep her from sharing it?”

Jimmy drummed his fingers on the table for a moment. “That would make sense, but how do we prove it?”

An idea flashed into Hez’s head. “I’ve got to make a couple of calls, but I think I just might be able to find us some dynamite.”

***

Savannah had often passed Horton Funeral Home on the outskirts of Pelican Harbor, but this was the first time she’d been here. Multiple balconies with black railings accented the painted white brick with French flair. It was beautiful and terrifying.

A boulder lodged in her throat as she stared at the double entry doors. At least Jess would have a closed casket funeral, and Savannah wouldn’t have to stare down into her baby sister’s face. The funeral home had a time for family set aside for the first hour of visitation, but she, Hez, and Simon were the only ones here. Hez’s aunt Jenna and cousin Blake planned to come a little later. But that was all. Such a tragic ending to Jess’s bright future.

She turned off the engine, and Hez took her hand. “I know it’s hard, babe. Do you need a minute?”

She glanced at the rearview mirror to take a peek at how Simon was faring. She could only see the top of his head as he stared down at his phone. His hand moved in a swirling motion, so she knew he was catching a Pokémon in his game. He probably didn’t want to face the day any more than she did.

She shook her head. “Let’s go on in. I want Simon to have some time to process it before people start to arrive.” She opened her car door. “Time to go, Simon. Leave your phone in the car.”

He gave a small nod, and she caught a glimpse of his face—misery etched in every pore of his expression. If only she could spare him this pain. She walked around to his side of the car. Hez got out and opened the door for the boy, and Simon clambered out in his new khaki slacks, white shirt, and navy blazer.

She took his hand. “You look very handsome.”

His fingers closed around hers in a tight grip. “Thanks.” His voice was barely audible, and his gaze stayed on the asphalt.

He let her keep his hand as they walked to the entry. A suited employee greeted them and opened the door. “Your sister is in the room on the right.”

She nodded and took Hez’s arm to steady her weak knees as they entered the big room. Faint music played from speakers around the space, and she recognized the tune of “Amazing Grace.”

She pressed her trembling lips together when she spotted the casket. At Simon’s almost inaudible gasp, she tightened her grip on his hand. “We’ll get through this,” she murmured to him. “Remember, your mom isn’t in that casket.” Hoping it would comfort him as much as it did her, Savannah had told him about Jess’s last moments.

He nodded and yanked his gaze away. He pulled his hand free and started for the back row of chairs. Savannah let him go. They would have to move to the front row for the funeral, but he needed some alone time right now. No amount of words on her part could help him.

She caught a movement from the corner of her eye and turned to see four people enter. Nora was flanked by Helen Willard on one side and Michael Willard on the other. A younger woman with a curly brown bob and glasses trailed them. They headed toward the casket draped with flowers.

Hez nudged her. “What are they doing here so early?” he whispered.

The realization nearly made her buckle. “Th-they’re family. Jess was a Willard at heart. They fostered that desire for revenge in her.”

Nora turned from the casket and started for Savannah. Moisture glistened behind her glasses, and her lips trembled when Savannah stepped out to meet her. “I-I’m so sorry, Savannah. I’m doubly sorry my last words were hurtful. I started to call you several times, but it hurt too much, especially since I knew you’d probably be testifying against my family in the smuggling case. I should have done it anyway. I had no idea Jess was involved.”

Savannah gaped. “Wait, what? Jess was involved in the smuggling operation?” Everything clicked into place. “That’s why she was at the restaurant? She was supposed to hand off the artifact?”

Nora’s brown eyes widened behind her glasses. “You didn’t know? It was in the prosecution disclosure to my uncle’s and cousins’ legal team. I thought for sure Hope talked to Hez about it.”

Savannah’s jaw tightened. “He didn’t tell me.” She glanced around for him and found him sitting beside Simon with his hand on the boy’s back. Why had he kept something so important from her? Did she even know her sister at all? Wasn’t it enough that she’d tried to destroy TGU?

Nora touched her hand. “I’m sorry this is a shock, Savannah. Especially today of all days.”

“It’s all right. Hez should have told me.” And a chat with him needed to happen as soon as this awful funeral was over. “I should go talk to Helen at least.”

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