I was shocked to hear Jed’s voice. “Rose, Skeeter’s got Merv out lookin’ for you.”

My heart stopped for a second, then jump-started into a gallop. “What?”

Neely Kate’s worried eyes found mine.

“He’s fumin’, Rose. I haven’t seen him this angry in ages.”

“Okay…” I glanced at Maeve, then stood and walked into the living room, lowering my voice. “What do you think he’s gonna do?”

He hesitated. “He’s spouted off a few options, the most recurring of which is dragging you back here and chaining you to his desk. But he’s got a temper, so if we can buy you some time, he’ll calm down and be more reasonable.”

“Why’s he so mad? Because I quit or because I told him off?”

“Both. And more.” He paused and lowered his voice. “Look, Rose, he doesn’t know how to handle you. When he tries to intimidate you, it doesn’t work. But now he’s started relying on you…and you just bailed on him.”

“Because he’s buttin’ into my personal life.”

“He doesn’t see it that way.” He paused. “You and I both know you’re not one to sit around knitting. Your own entanglement with the underworld is what landed you in Skeeter’s office last November. But I think he imagines you puttering around in your kitchen bakin’ pies when you’re not the Lady in Black.”

That couldn’t be further from the truth, but all the times I’d told him I couldn’t meet him because I was cooking dinner had probably encouraged that illusion.

“Skeeter saw you grillin’ that guy and he had no idea what you were doin’.”

“So he’s annoyed that I didn’t loop him in?”

“No, he’s scared. When you’re working for him, I’m there to have your back and make sure nothing happens to you. If you’re off interrogating people on your own, you’re vulnerable. Skeeter doesn’t want to lose you.”

This made no sense. “Then why did he let me go into that strip club by myself last month?”

“I was waiting in the wings as backup. Plus he knew what you were up to then. And the way I heard it, you didn’t leave him much choice.”

I put my hand on my hip and shook my head, even though I quickly realized he could see neither. “You were there today. You even stepped in to help.”

“I was there because Picklebie just happened to be in the pool hall. You told Skeeter that yourself. What if you’d followed Picklebie or some other lowlife into a dark alley? You could have gotten jumped or worse. Skeeter knows how criminals behave. You’re probably stronger than any woman he’s ever met, but he still sees you as vulnerable.”

“He told you all that?”

“No, but I know the guy. Trust me.”

Crappy doodles, he was probably right. “He can’t force me to do anything, Jed.”

“But he can. And he usually does.” He sighed, sounding frustrated. “He treats you differently than anyone. Ever. Almost like an equal. But it’s just not like him, and I’m worried he’ll turn on you.”

The significance of his words washed over me. Skeeter had pretty much said the same thing to me after extending his offer of partnership. It had to burn that I’d not only quit, but declined his offer as well. I had a feeling it was a one-of-a-kind deal.

“Rose, I know I have no right, and it goes against what I told you last night, but I’m asking you to reconsider your decision to bow out. You challenge Skeeter. He’s changed over the last month. For the better. I’m not sure what he’ll do if you don’t change your mind.”

“To me?”

“No. I think he’ll go back to bein’ who he was before. Perhaps worse.”

I groaned. “I can’t just let him boss me around whenever he feels like it, Jed. I’m not his slave and I refuse to let him treat me like one.”

“Just promise you’ll talk to him after he cools off.”

And here I’d just eaten all those carbs. “Fine. I’ll talk to him.” Then I added in a firm tone, “But I’m not promising to go back to being you know what.”

“He’s capable of being a reasonable man…when his temper’s not flarin’.”

“Fine.”

“I’ll let you know when it’s safe to go back out.” I thought he was about to hang up when he added, “And I’d appreciate it if we kept this conversation between us. If he finds out I warned you…”

“Your secret is safe with me.”

“Rose, one more thing. J.R. Simmons.”

The very sound of the man’s name made me shiver. “What about him?”

“Are you in some kind of trouble with him?”

I pushed out a sigh. “More trouble than you could possibly know.” I hung up before he could ask more questions and stared at my truck through the living room picture window. Maeve’s house seemed like the perfect place to sit and wait Skeeter out, but my big vehicle was bound to give me away.

I went back into the kitchen. How was I gonna explain this? “I need to move my truck. Do you mind if I park it in the alley?”

Maeve looked confused, but she smiled and nodded. “Go ahead.”

Neely Kate stared at me and mouthed behind Maeve’s back, Trouble?

I gave her a tight smile and grabbed my coat. “I’ll be right back.” As I hurried out to my truck, I berated myself for coming to Maeve’s and putting her in danger. What if Merv showed up at her door? While I trusted Jed, I knew next to nothing about this other man. Besides, it had to say something that Skeeter was sending out Merv and not Jed…and that something couldn’t be good.