Arissa turned in her seat. She’d shared with the Belles about the file because she had gone this far down the rabbit hole, but she couldn’t shake the question she asked of them. “Why would Catherine chase off the woman Hank loved, a woman who was showing an interest in the community, becoming part of it. I get that she’s overprotective, but hurting her son like that…isn’t that contrary to her claimed motives?”
Silence followed, though whether that was because they were thinking or because they couldn’t hear her with the shouting that was now following the horn blasts was anyone’s guess.
The car went on two wheels when Hya jerked the wheel, moving from the passing lane across the four lanes to the exit. “Did you even have a license or are you winging it?” Arissa shouted.
“Driving is like sex, more interesting when you’re hanging on for dear life.”
Arissa’s mouth opened then closed. She had no comment for that. They drove through Charleston; it was early. The sidewalks in the business district were bustling with people heading to work. Hya found a spot, truth be told she pushed the little electric car out of the way to park her boat. Climbing out, she stretched, looked at her watch and said, “We made great time.”
Another horn blast came from the car that slammed on its brakes to keep from hitting Hya. In fairness, she was standing in the middle of the street. Her hands came down hard on the hood. “I’m fucking standing here!” Before she reached the driver’s side, the car peeled away.
“I’m really glad we decided to keep a low profile,” Arissa said sarcastically.
Hya grabbed her big straw hat and dropped it on her head. And that coupled with the overalls and bright yellow shirt, yeah, so much for keeping it on the down low.
“Her firm is down the street. Millie and I will go in for her,” Maureen offered.
Hya turned her head so fast she almost lost her hat. That wouldn’t have been a tragedy to Arissa’s way of thinking. “Why not me?”
Maureen’s voice was silky smooth when she said, “The idea is to lure her home, not make her run farther away.”
“Pfft,” Hya said. “Then I want food. I’m so hungry I could eat some of that roadkill we saw on the way here.”
“You mean the animals you hit?” Arissa clarified.
“Semantics.”
Arissa rolled her eyes.
Maureen took the lead, Millie followed. Arissa called after them. “I’m going to feed Hya before she starts attacking pedestrians. Meet you at the cafe, text when you’re leaving.”
Hya studied Arissa as they walked down the street. “He came to see me last night.”
Arissa swung her head to Hya. “He did?”
“Wanted to apologize for the day you were over. We had some words.”
Arissa stopped walking. “The day I got drunk and passed out, you and Hank had words?”
“Yeah.” Hya turned her focus on the cars, gathering her words before she looked back at Arissa. “Summerville is his home. And he’s the sheriff, so that makes it even more so for him. He’s dedicated his life to the town and its people and has been teased more than his fair share. So what I’m saying is, I agree with what you’re doing, but make sure you put yourself in his shoes too. Catherine isn’t the only one protective of her family. And it’s a fine line, him learning what you’re doing and why. Don’t be surprised if he’s not okay with it, at first.”
Arissa felt that familiar knot in her stomach but she was honest with Hya when she said, “When this is all said and done, I don’t think it’s going to be me in that beautiful house with him.” She glanced away because it hurt so much but he deserved to chart his life and not have it done for him. “Anyway, what’s the expression about the ends justifying the means? He’ll forgive me.” Not that it mattered because she wouldn’t be living in Summerville anymore. Glancing back at Hya it was a little unsettling to see compassion on her face. “Thank you for telling me.” Arissa straightened her shoulders. “Now let’s eat.”
Maureen and Millie stood in the marble foyer, and waited. It had been easier than either thought to get Phoebe to agree to talk to them. Whether they’d have as much luck getting her back to Summerville remained to be seen, but then with the enticement being Hank Weathers, maybe they wouldn’t have a problem.
Phoebe’s eyes lit up when she found Millie and Maureen studying a statue in the center of the cavernous space. “I can’t believe you’re here.” Her strides were long as she closed the distance between them. “You look just the same,” she said, hugging Millie then Maureen.
“You look even prettier,” Millie said. “Charleston really agrees with you.”
Phoebe looked a little uncomfortable but smiled then asked, “How is everyone? Are Sal and Elmer still sitting outside of Dehlia’s?” She gave a little chuckle.
“Never leave it,” Maureen said with a smile.
“And the ladies, bingo, that’s still going on?”
“Yep, and the fair is coming up,” Millie offered.
Maureen tipped her head before she asked, “They’re not who you want to know about, though, are they?”
Color rose on Phoebe’s cheeks. “Am I really that easy to read?”
“In your shoes, Darling, I’d be wanting to know the same,” Maureen replied softly.
“How is he?”
“He’s good,” Maureen said. “Still maintaining law and order.” She paused before she added, “Dating someone. He’s crazy about her. And she him.”
The color drained from Phoebe’s face. “I’m happy for him.”
“Bullshit,” Maureen said harshly, causing Phoebe’s gaze to jerk to her. “You’re still in love with him.
