Tears burned my eyes. “This is wrong.” I wasn’t sure if I could live with myself for doing this to Joe, but I couldn’t let Mason die either.

“Joe Simmons chose his side just like I chose mine. Now we both have to live with the consequences. You have three seconds to start talking, or I’m pressing send.”

I was terrified this would backfire on me, but it was better than sending only the video. I told him what to type:

Mason, it’s me. I escaped, but the person who’s behind this doesn’t know. The men who took me were supposed to video my murder and send it to you. I know you’re in Joe’s office and they want the video sent now. They can’t know that I got away, so your reaction is key. So is Joe’s. He has to believe it’s true. Otherwise both of your lives are in danger. I’m going to send you a video of me, but be prepared to hear me scream like someone’s hurting me. When you see it, you have to act distraught and immediately delete this text and the video. I’ll be in touch.

Skeeter read it back, and I said, “Let me send it.”

His gaze narrowed, and it was obvious he thought I was up to something.

“I’m not going to add to the text. I promise.” Not that I was happy with this decision, but I needed to take ownership of it. “I need to be the one to send it.”

He studied me for a moment, then handed me the phone. “Jed, tell Merv she’s sending it now.”

My heart was beating so furiously it felt like it was trying to escape from my chest. I paused to ask myself if this was the right thing to do, and then I said a quick prayer and pressed send.

Chapter 24

As soon as it had been sent, I again felt like I was going to throw up. What if I’d just signed Mason’s death warrant? What if I’d just pushed Joe over the edge?

“If Simmons or one of his minions sent that text to your burner, they’ll have expected a response by now,” Skeeter said.

I just shook my head, unable to think about that right now. “Jed? Any news?”

“No.”

I wrung my hands. “What’s goin’ on over there at the station?”

“Merv will text us when he knows something.”

I stood and began to pace.

“Rose.” Skeeter’s voice was stern. “I need you to focus.”

I flung my hands out in exasperation. “How can I focus when I have no idea if Mason pulled this off or even went along with it!”

“Because you started this thing, and you need to follow it through. If Mason did what you asked, he needs you more than ever.”

That stopped me in my tracks. “You’re gonna let me meet J.R.?”

Skeeter’s jaw tightened. “I haven’t decided yet, but we might as well string him along.”

“If he’s behind my kidnapping, won’t it look a bit odd if Lady answers him around the same time Mason got the supposed video?”

Skeeter stared at the wall for several seconds, but then his eyes lit up. “No. It’s perfect. You ask him if he’s behind the ADA’s girlfriend’s murder, and say that if so, you’re impressed. It shows you’ve got your fingertip on the pulse of the county.”

“That I’m a real player.”

“Exactly.”

“I just got a text,” Jed murmured, reading his screen. “Deveraux played his part. Simmons lost his shit and stormed out of the building.”

“And Kate?” I asked.

“She ran out after her brother.”

I wasn’t sure what to make of that. I was devastated that Joe thought I’d been murdered, but deep down I knew Skeeter was right. After Joe stole the journal and had me arrested, I couldn’t trust him with my secrets, especially not if Kate was spending time around him.

“What is Mason doing now?” I asked.

“Forget about Deveraux,” Skeeter said. “Is anyone else acting strange?”

Jed looked exasperated. “I’m getting this second hand, so it’s slow going.”

“Then text the real source!” I protested. “Cut out the middleman.”

He shook his head. “No dice. The source only talks to Merv.”

I wanted to ask more questions, but another part of me didn’t. Someone working in the sheriff’s department was sharing official information with criminals. That person may very well have saved Mason’s life, but what if he or she had previously been loyal to Daniel Crocker?

I shook my head. That was an ethical dilemma for another day.

“Deputy Miller is shaken. The other deputies are worried about Simmons. Deveraux went to the bathroom. No one seems to be acting suspiciously.”

Skeeter picked up the burner phone off the kitchen table. “I’m gonna send them a message.”

I marched over and snatched it from him. “This was my idea, and I set it up. If anyone’s sending a text, it’s me, especially since you wouldn’t let me type the last one.”

He glared at me for several seconds, but I didn’t miss the hint of amusement in his eyes. Finally, he handed me the phone. “Go ahead, but I want to read it first.”

“Fine.”

I pulled up the previous text and started typing, surprised to realize how much better it made me feel to do something productive.

I’ve just been informed about the ADA’s girlfriend’s untimely demise. I can only presume you were behind it. Impressive. We’re on. Location TBA.