“That doesn’t sound like Skeeter at all.”

“I’m talkin’ about people, not about situations.”

I didn’t like where this conversation was going. “If he left for seven years, where did he say he went?”

“Memphis. He said that’s where he made his seed money. But I know for a fact he started that pool hall with cash. So I don’t buy it.”

“What did he say when you asked him about it?”

He snorted again. “I’m not stupid enough to ask.”

I was definitely going to ask him the first chance I got. If Carter was right, it sure would explain why Skeeter had been so interested in my connection to J.R. Simmons. And also why J.R. wanted Skeeter dead. And maybe—just maybe—Skeeter had a shot at digging up the information that would bring J.R. down.

But I wasn’t about to tell Carter Hale any of that.

“So the only thing you have that makes you presume Skeeter was part of J.R.’s secret circle is that he disappeared for seven years and came back with money? That seems like a stretch.”

“No. That’s not it. For the first few years after he came back, he’d run off for several days to a week at a time with no warning. And he never told anyone where he went. Not even Jed. Then about five years ago, it just stopped. No more trips.”

“And you think he quit?”

“Yeah, although from what I can tell, that’s damn near impossible. You don’t retire from The Twelve. You are eliminated.”

“So how is Skeeter still alive? Doesn’t that fact negate your theory?”

Carter shrugged, but the answer had already come to me.

“J.R. Simmons waited until Skeeter had something worth taking.”

Carter narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“Skeeter just got his kingdom, right?”

“Yeah …”

“Mason said J.R. likes to make people suffer, and Joe didn’t disagree. Wouldn’t it be much worse for Skeeter to finally get control, only to see it stolen from him?” I’d told Skeeter the very same thing a few hours before my arrest. But now I was even more certain of it.

Carter pursed his lips, not looking happy. “If you’re right, that’s not the only thing Simmons will want to take from him.”

The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. “The Lady in Black.” But I knew that too. My plan to force J.R. to meet me was undoubtedly the most foolish thing I’d ever considered, but it might just work.

“You need to keep a low profile,” Carter said, shifting behind his desk. “As both Rose and the Lady in Black.”

“No,” I said, already shaking my head. “I can’t do that.”

“Maybe you should trust Skeeter to take care of the situation.”

That made my blood boil. “With all due respect, Mr. Hale, I have no earthly idea what Skeeter Malcolm is up to since he hasn’t deemed it necessary to tell me. For all I know, he’s holed up in a shack with blonde twins with big boobs, waiting for everything to die down.”

Carter tried to hide the grin tugging at his mouth.

“Your reaction tells me it’s not outside the realm of possibility.”

He stood. “Rose, I can assure you that’s not the case. Skeeter was genuinely upset when you were arrested. There’s no way he’s enjoying his time out of town with a couple of playmates while he thinks you might be going to jail.”

“I would hope he’s also trying to save himself.”

He grinned. “I believe it was you who told me, ‘Save one of us, you save us all.’”

“I was talking about me.”

He laughed. “I had no idea you had such an ego, Rose Gardner. Skeeter’s fascination with you becomes clearer and clearer every minute.”

I was about to offer a retort, but my phone started to ring. It was Neely Kate’s tone, and as I pulled it out, I realized I was late for my lunch. I turned off the ringer and glanced up at Carter. “I have to go, but before I do, I got a burner phone—at Jed’s suggestion. I’ve texted Skeeter and Jed the new number. Do you need it?”

“No. I want to keep everything between us above board, but theoretically it’s better to restrict any conversations that carry a hint of criminal intent or association to an untraceable phone.”

I nodded and started for the door.

“Rose.”

I stopped and turned to see what he wanted.

“You and I have discussed several topics that shouldn’t be tied back to me.”

“You mean your theory about Skeeter’s past.” I cocked my head. “You weren’t even practicing law ten years ago. How do you know so much about Skeeter’s behavior before he hired you?”

His expression hardened slightly, and his good old boy persona faded. I suspected this was the real Carter Hale, lurking under the surface. “I make it my business to know as much about my clients as humanly possible. And believe me, I’m good at my job.”

With one hand on the doorknob, I narrowed my eyes at him. “If you’re so stinkin’ good, tell me what you found out about Glenn Stout.”

His eyes clouded, and I snorted. “That’s what I thought. Goodbye, Mr. Hale.”

Greta shot me a questioning glance when I walked into the waiting area, and I waved goodbye as I walked through the door in turmoil. I was certain Carter was the best attorney to help me, but I couldn’t rely on him to save me.