44

Tuesday, August 13

Boyett Farm

Good Hollow Road, Fayetteville, 5:30 p.m.

Vera scanned the documents on the table before her one last time. Your offer is an intriguing one, she confirmed to the man on the other end of the conference call.

As I said, Special Agent in Charge Ernie Cusack s voice floated from the speaker of her cell phone, we re fully aware of the issues that happened in Memphis. We re aware, and we understand. We feel the events that occurred there have no bearing on your ability. The post in Tullahoma is available, and we would very much like to have you fill it.

I appreciate your confidence, Agent Cusack, and I will consider the offer.

We look forward to hearing from you, Ms. Boyett.

Vera ended the call and blew out a breath. Wow. She stretched her neck and back. Just a couple of weeks ago, she had been unemployed, and now she had two offers on the table. One from the TBI and now one from the FBI.

Life was strange sometimes. She touched her forehead. The stitches were gone, and the headaches were pretty much history. She d gotten an all good from the doctor at her checkup yesterday. Technically she could go to work anytime.

Things were settling down. On Saturday Luna finally got the memorial service she wanted for her mother. Eve and Suri had decided to make their more-than-friendship relationship official, and Eve was moving in with her.

Luna s wedding was next month, so she would be moving out soon as well.

Vera was not looking forward to rambling around in this big old house alone. She glanced around her mother s kitchen. Maybe she would get used to the quiet.

The security system had been installed, so no worries about intruders without warning.

She still hadn t fully processed the idea that Florence Higdon was a murderer. Or that Beatrice Fraley had betrayed Vera s family so thoughtlessly. The behavior of Charles and Preston Higdon was no surprise at all. Selfish men. Still, the whole thing felt surreal.

The memory of Sheree lying on that bathroom floor with Eve soaking wet and Luna screaming at the top of her lungs echoed in Vera s head. Followed immediately by images of Vera and Eve dragging her lifeless body down the stairs.

Desperate people did desperate things.

In the end, it all came down to certain realities. Both Charles and Preston Higdon had resigned their positions. Both had also agreed to plea deals that included testifying against Florence. Father and son would do a little time in a cushy minimum-security prison for their participation in the kidnapping of Vera and Brooks. Florence, on the other hand, was facing hard time. Her trial was still months away.

Beatrice was not charged with any crime related to the murders of Latesha and Trina, since she agreed to testify against the Higdons. For her part in the kidnapping, her further testimony had garnered her probation with house arrest. This allowed her to continue taking care of her husband. In Vera s opinion, it was fair. Beatrice made a mistake-a costly one-but she was also a victim. Both Preston and Florence had used her for years. The Brooks plea deal was still in negotiations. Vera couldn t help worrying a little about what he might have to say in the end.

A knock on the front door drew her from the troubling musings. She slid off the stool and wandered toward the sound. She checked out the window next to the door. Bent. A smile spread across her face.

She opened the door. You re early.

He hitched a thumb toward his truck. I could leave and come back later.

Stop. She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him inside. She surveyed the yard and drive before closing the door. It was nice to be able to look outside and not see police cruisers or reporters. The Boyett family had pretty much fallen out of the headlines the past few days.

You re not going to believe what happened this afternoon, he said as she ushered him to the kitchen.

I could say the same thing. He would be stunned when she told him about the final offer from the Bureau s Knoxville office for the position in Tullahoma.

You go first, he suggested as they entered the kitchen. Mine s a little complicated, and you might want to brace yourself.

She wilted. Oh God, that doesn t sound good. She scooted onto the stool she d abandoned and made a worried face.

Oddly enough it s good. He straddled a stool and lowered onto it. So shoot with your news.

All right. She cleared her throat for emphasis. The FBI made a second offer for a higher grade. She grinned. I guess they really want me.

That s great. He smiled, but he didn t sound all that excited.

Your turn, she nudged, not wanting to go into how she intended to respond, which would be his next question. Or why he didn t appear pleased for her.

Pete Brooks got his plea deal, Bent announced.

No matter that she had every reason to believe his statements wouldn t affect her family, she still held her breath.

He had Sheree s wedding ring. He said Rimmey had it on him when Brooks last . . . encountered him.

Vera felt gobsmacked. She d had no reason to notice or check for Sheree s wedding ring . . . that day. She and Eve had been too focused on getting her out of the house. How had Rimmey gotten her wedding ring? Vera knew for a fact he hadn t killed her.

Something wrong?

Vera snapped out of the haze of disbelief. No. No. I m just surprised.

He said Rimmey was all torn up about it and kept muttering how he didn t mean to do it.

Wow. You win. My news wasn t nearly as shocking as yours. This was too bizarre.

Yeah. Bent shook his head. It was a strange day.

Sounds like, Vera said as calmly as possible. As much as she wanted to believe the business with Sheree was settled and somehow behind them, she was too much of a realist to go anywhere near there. So you ve solved all the murders related to the cave except for Gates.

We, he countered, solved them. In fact, the talk in the community I m hearing is that you re a true hometown hero. I expect the mayor to give you a key to the city.

I won t hold my breath. She eased off the stool. On that note, I think we should go out and celebrate.

Sounds good to me. Just don t be surprised if someone asks for your autograph.

She laughed. Yeah right.

His face lined with a frown. But what about the offer from the FBI? He searched her face, worry claiming his expression once more. Are you taking it? Or maybe you prefer the one from the TBI.

The TBI position meant moving to the Nashville area.

She hesitated but then decided not to keep him in suspense any longer. No and no. I ve decided to become an independent consultant. I want more choice in the cases I take and the work I do. She shrugged. Who knows? It could be very lucrative. I can work from right here at home. Or maybe get an office on the square. She laughed. I guess that s the point. I can do what I want the way I want while being here for my sisters.

His relief was palpable. He really had been worried she would be leaving.

I m glad. He reached out, took her hand, gave it a squeeze before letting go. Really glad, he repeated, that you re staying.

She relished the feeling his words prompted. Me too.

In fact, he suggested, with all the instrumental help you provided on this investigation, I believe you should submit a bill to the county. Might as well get you in the system. I m sure we ll require your services often in the future. Not to mention, I know the sheriffs in most of the surrounding counties. I can put in a good word for you.

She smiled, hooked her arm in his. Maybe I ll do that.

On the way to the door Vera grabbed her bag. Outside, she paused to survey the yard and all the beauty her mother had cultivated. This was home. This farm . . . her family . . .

She glanced at Bent. These were the things that really mattered.

And she would do everything in her power to protect all of it.

As they walked toward his truck, Bent said, I was thinking about the Gates murder. He opened the passenger-side door and waited for her to climb in. The story will come out eventually. Just like those remains found in the cave, secrets rarely stay hidden forever.

Vera smiled but let it go at that. Truth was, Bent was half-right.

Secrets only stayed hidden if you buried them deep enough.