“Yeah, I stopped by for a brotherly visit. There was nothing there, of course. All the things you saw were gone.”

“Where do you think it all went?”

He shook his head. “I suspect she was investigating our father. She was definitely happy to find out he’s about to be remanded into the Fenton County Jail.”

“But that doesn’t make any sense. Everything I found was about Mason.”

He sighed. “You know she wants you and me back together. Maybe she was hopin’ to dig up some dirt on him to sway you.” He held up his hands in surrender. “And no. I don’t condone her behavior.”

“Joe, what I saw was far more than diggin’ up dirt. It was a full-on investigation.”

He shrugged. “And without any evidence, there’s not a dammed thing I can do about it. But I promise to keep an eye on her, okay?”

It wasn’t okay, but I wasn’t sure what else I could do.

Other than keep an eye on her myself.

“If neither Kate nor your father were behind my kidnapping and the attempts on Mason’s life, who was?”

“If you had asked me last week, I would have told you I wasn’t sure. But after last night, I know my father did it. This is totally his M.O.”

I had to agree, except for one little detail that had kept bothering me. “So why did he tell me he didn’t do it?”

“So he wouldn’t incriminate himself more than he already had? So he’d make you think someone else was out to get you? A million reasons, but the bottom line is that he did it. He’s just playing more mind games with us.”

More mind games than he even knew. I wondered if I should tell him about his father’s involvement in Savannah’s murder and how he wanted to hurt Joe while reminding his son of his leash. But he was already hurt over me. I wasn’t sure what good it would do, not to mention the fact that it wasn’t my place to tell him.

I nodded. “Okay. Thank you. But be careful if you keep digging around with your father, okay?”

He grinned. “I’m the one who’s supposed to say that.”

Neely Kate and Bruce Wayne had sat quietly on the other side of the room and listened in to our conversation. I didn’t mind. I was happy that I wouldn’t have to go through the ordeal again. Now I only needed to fill in the details I hadn’t given for the record.

Joe stood. “I have a million things I need to do. I better get goin’.”

I walked him to the door, and he glanced over at the courthouse. “I was wrong about Mason, Rose. He really does love you. And tell him congratulations on getting his job back. I hated being a part of that, and I told the secretary of state’s office everything. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll have a job myself.”

“I’m sorry, Joe.”

He shook his head. “We have to face the consequences of our actions sometime. I’ve been running from mine for too long.” He smiled and ran a finger over the worry lines on my forehead. “Hey, none of that. I’m good with this. It’s nice to stop running, you know?”

I nodded. “I do know.” I needed to give myself the same pep talk.

“Look, I know you love Mason, and he’s one damn lucky guy. I gave a lot of thought to what you said the other day, about me still seeing you as the inexperienced woman I met on my front porch. There’s a lot of truth to that. But watching you last night …” His eyes filled with awe. “You’re right. You’re not that woman anymore. But I’d love to be friends with the woman you’ve become. If you would let me.”

I smiled, tears filling my eyes. “Of course. I’d like that too.”

He gave me a sad smile, and as I watched him walk away I wondered what the future held for him. If he would lose his job. How much longer he’d stay in Fenton County.

I turned my gaze to the courthouse, feeling like the life I wanted so badly was slipping through my fingers. Why hadn’t Mason let me know about his job? The truth was, I knew why, and it made me feel more helpless than ever.

I was tired of waiting for life to sort itself out. I was going to take matters into my own hands.

I hurried over to my desk and grabbed my purse and my coat. “I’ll be right back. I’m gonna pick up some lunch at Merilee’s and take it over to Mason.”

Worry filled Neely Kate’s eyes, but she said, “That’s a good idea.”

Bruce Wayne only watched in silence.

I bolted out the door and into the cold. As I started across the street, I thought I saw a suspicious man out of the corner of my eye. When I turned back to look, I slammed into someone.

“Oh!” I exclaimed. “I’m so—” I paused when I realized I’d run into Hilary. “Sorry.”

Indignation covered her face. “Haven’t you caused enough trouble, Rose Gardner? I heard that you brought false charges against J.R. Simmons. Do you really think he’ll stand for that?”

“He won’t be standing anytime soon, considering that I shot him in the leg.”

She gasped in disgust. “I’m not surprised you’d joke about such a thing. It only shows your true character.” She pinned her gaze on me. “You may very well have disabled him for life. I’m sure he’ll be suing you.”

Fear shot down my spine at that thought, but suing me would be like squeezing blood out of a turnip. “Well, good luck and Godspeed to him.”