Thirty-Four and a Half Predicaments: Rose Gardner Mystery #7 (21 page)

After a while, his voice rose loud enough for me to hear him. “Are you going to do something about this or not?”

Who was he talking to? Most likely Joe, but why would they be arguing over the lead? Maybe Joe decided not to follow up on it when he heard it came from my vision.

Mason stormed out of the office and into the kitchen.

I ran after him. “Where are you goin’?” I asked when I saw him opening the door to the basement.

“To get my rifle.”

I stopped in my tracks in the middle of the kitchen. “Why?”

“To keep us safe.”

I heard him stomp down the basement stairs, heading toward the cabinet he’d bought to house his guns. When Daniel Crocker had escaped from jail and come after me, Mason had brought several rifles and handguns to the farm. Had it come to this
again?

I ran back to the living room and grabbed my own phone to call Joe, who surprised me by actually answering. “Rose?”

“Are you really not gonna follow through on the lead Mason just called in?”

“He’s telling you official county business?” he shouted in my ear.

“He didn’t have to.”

Joe groaned. “Rose, it’s a vision.”

“Seriously, Joe? You’ve followed up on my visions before. Do you think I made it up?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why won’t you do anything?”

“It’s not that easy, Rose. There are rules. I have to answer to my boss.”

“Those are a whole bunch of poor excuses and you know it.” Why would he be dragging his heels on this? “You’d really stand back and let Mason get killed?”

He was silent for several seconds. “You think I would do that?”

Did I? Joe was capable of a lot of things, but I didn’t believe he’d resort to that. Especially considering all the changes I’d seen in him. But I’d taken too long to answer.

“You believe I’d knowingly put a man in danger because of
my love life?
”

“Joe—”

“You never knew me at all,” he said in disgust.

His statement dredged up more pain than I expected, so I didn’t rush to correct him. “And whose fault is that?”

I was greeted with silence, and when I glanced at my phone, I realized he’d hung up. I felt terrible. I knew deep down Joe was a good person who’d never let someone kill Mason. Why had I let him believe otherwise?

Mason came back into the room several minutes later with his gun bag. He took one look at me, and the anger in his eyes shifted to concern. “Rose, I’m sorry. I’m sure I scared you storming off like that.”

I shook my head. “I’m a terrible person, Mason.”

He put the bag on the floor and sat on the sofa next to me, pulling me into his arms. “What on earth would make you say that?”

“I called Joe.”

His arms stiffened slightly before tightening around me and pulling me closer. “I take it that it didn’t go well.”

“You’re not gonna ask me why I called him?”

“You’re an intelligent woman. I’m sure you put some of the pieces together. Besides, it was
your
vision.”

I rested my head in the crook of his arm. “I had to know why he wasn’t following up on it.”

“I gather you didn’t like the answer any more than I did.”

I leaned back to wipe the tears off my cheeks. “I don’t understand, Mason. His reason was a crock of cow manure. What’s really goin’ on?”

Indecision flickered in his eyes. “Joe’s under a lot of pressure. I’m sure he thinks he made the right call.”

“By letting Mick Gentry get away?”

He sighed, but his arms were tense. “His reasoning is that his men are stretched thin right now, and there was no way of knowing if your vision took place tonight, tomorrow, three days from now, or even at all. Pedro’s is close to the Columbia County border. He claims he can’t spare the manpower to investigate an unlikely lead.”

Anger quickly overcame my guilt. “So he’ll leave you as a
sitting duck?
”

He lifted my chin and looked into my eyes. “Rose, he’s sending Deputy Miller over to watch the house tonight.”

“Oh, Mason.” I cringed. “I asked him how he could stand back and let you get killed.”

He cupped my cheek. “Oh, sweetheart. It’s no secret that Joe Simmons and I have history, and a year ago I might have accused him of the same thing. But we’ve worked together a lot over these last few months, and I realize now he’d never knowingly let someone get hurt. Even me.”

“I know. But I was too slow to tell him that and he assumed I believed it.”

Mason sighed.

“I have to call him to apologize. I have to set him straight.”

He gave me a soft smile. “Give it a few minutes. I’m sure he’s not feeling very charitable at the moment.”

Fresh tears filled my eyes.

Mason pulled me close and rubbed my back. “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart. I’m sure Joe’s feelings were hurt, but he’ll get over it.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “Why do you care if Joe gets over it? Wouldn’t you prefer for him to stay angry with me?”

“Not if it hurts you in the process.” He looked into my eyes. “I love you, Rose. I have to trust you and respect your choices, including which friends you choose.” When I started to protest, he added, “Do I want you to be Joe Simmons’ friend? No. Do I feel threatened by it? Hell, yes. But I trust you.” His eyes hardened slightly. “I don’t trust him, but I trust you enough to know how to handle it if he gets out of line again.”

“Thank you.”

He wiped my tears. “Still, if I ever find out he behaves inappropriately, I can’t be held responsible for what his face looks like after we have a
chat
.” The look in his eyes told me he meant every word.

“I love you.”

He gave me a soft kiss. “I love you too.” He stood and picked up the bag and set it on the coffee table. “And now I’m going to keep us safe.”

I only hoped Jed was keeping Skeeter safe too.

Mason didn’t sleep well. He kept getting out of bed and checking the windows and doors. He’d turned on the alarm system he’d put in after our break-in last December, but he kept checking it to make sure it was still on.

When he came to back to bed for what seemed like the twentieth time, I pulled him close and rested my head in the crook of his arm. “Is Deputy Miller still outside?”

“Yeah.”

“You don’t trust him to keep watch?”

“I do, but it’s just him out there. I’ll feel better if I keep an eye on things myself.”

“Okay.”

“Rose?” he whispered in the dark.

“Hmm?” I asked, already drifting off to sleep.

“Maybe you should go stay with my mom.”

That woke me up right quick. I lifted my head. “Are you going too?”

“No.”

I settled back down. “Then I’m staying with you.”

He was surprisingly quiet.

“No argument?” I asked in surprise.

“I didn’t expect you to agree, but I had to try anyway.” His fingers began to stroke my back. “I think you should carry some kind of protection.”

“What does that mean? A gun?”

“No, not a gun. You’re not used to handling one, so you could end up hurting yourself.”

“Then what?”

“A Taser.”

I bolted upright. “Nuh-uh. Jonah’s momma Tased me when she kidnapped me.”

“Then you know how incapacitating it is…but it’s also not lethal. It could give you the chance to get away without requiring you to use deadly force.”

“Get away from what?”

He sat up next to me. “Rose, it’s a smart idea for you to have a way to protect yourself no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Trouble has a penchant for finding you. Short of keeping you in a padded room, it’s the next best thing to make sure you’re safe.”

I sucked in a deep breath. “And what’s to keep me from accidentally Tasing myself or someone else?”

“I’ll make sure you know how to use it so you’ll feel safe pulling it out if you need it.”

I had to admit it was a good idea, and it also took care of my promise to Skeeter, so why was I so reluctant? “Okay.”

“Tomorrow morning I’ll meet you at Bubba’s Gun Shop and I’ll help you pick one out.”

I lay back down and pulled him with me. “I’ll let you have your way. I’m getting a Taser, now get some sleep.”

“Say that again,” he teased as he settled down next to me and pulled me into his arms.

“Say what again?” I asked through a yawn.

“You’ll let me have my way.” I heard the grin in his voice.

I softly swatted his chest. “Gloating is not attractive, Mason Deveraux. And besides, I let you have your way with me all the time.” My voice was heavy with innuendo.

His hand slid down my back to my behind and I let him have his way with that too. But when Mason’s alarm went off the next morning, I was exhausted from lack of sleep.

He kissed my cheek when I stirred. “Do you want to have breakfast together before we go to the gun shop?”

I stretched and remembered I already had breakfast plans. Only Mason didn’t know about my research into Dora’s background. Just stick to the basics. “I would love to, but I’m having breakfast with Jessica and her mother.”

He blinked in surprise. “Who?”

I pushed up on my elbows. “You know, Jonah’s girlfriend.”

“Oh.” He squinted in confusion. “I didn’t realize you and Jessica were friends.”

“It’s nothing really,” I said as I slid out of bed. “When Neely Kate and I were at Jonah’s church yesterday, Jessica mentioned that she and her momma were having breakfast in the morning and she invited us to come.”

“You were at Jonah’s church yesterday?” He shook his head as he got out of bed and followed me into the bathroom. “I swear you traipse literally all over this county.” He pressed his front to my back as I picked up my toothbrush, and he found my gaze in the mirror. “Just try to stick closer to town for awhile, okay? At least until this Gentry mess is cleared up. Although the Henryetta PD isn’t much comfort. All the more reason for you to have some means of defending yourself.”

I wasn’t sure how much comfort we should take in the Fenton County Sheriff’s Department either if Joe wasn’t going to follow up on our leads.

After showering in a hurry, I sent Neely Kate a quick text to ask her if she was still up for breakfast.

I’m in, Yellow Lizard. Don’t ask any questions until I get there. LOL.

I snickered and walked out of the bathroom just as Mason finished dressing. He pulled out his handgun, and I eyed it nervously, also noticing the holster he’d already strapped over his shoulder.

His eyes caught mine. “It’s just a precaution, Rose.”

“I know.” But my stomach still knotted with worry at the sight of it.

“I know how to handle it. I have permits and Joe’s fully aware that I’m carrying it outside the courthouse.”

“That’s not why I don’t like it. It just reminds me that someone out there wants you dead.”

He put the gun on the nightstand and pulled me to his chest, searching my eyes. “This isn’t the first threat I’ve received. Everything’s going to be fine.” He gave me a soft kiss and stepped back. “I’m going to take Muffy outside. Why don’t you finish getting ready and I’ll follow you into town.” He paused. “Do you have any jobs today that would keep you from taking her to work with you?”

“No…”

He winked. “I think she’d be happier with you at the office today.”

“What, did you two have a chat while I was in the shower?”

He gave me a mischievous grin. “I can’t betray our dog-attorney privilege, but she did petition me to appeal to you on her behalf.”

I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Well…seeing as how she went to the trouble of contacting her attorney, I can hardly say no.”

“I’ll be sure to tell my client we’ve reached an agreement.” He gave me a slow kiss, then lifted his head, all merriment gone. “Thank you.” He broke away and picked up his gun and placed it in his shoulder holster, then headed to the bedroom door. “Come on, Muff. Let’s go outside, girl.”

She bounded after him with excitement, leaving me alone with my befuddlement. Mason never asked me to take Muffy with me. He left that decision entirely up to me. Then again, he knew she was a good guard dog. I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. Just like I had my ways of coercing him, he was figuring out ways to coerce me too.

I headed downstairs and my cell phone began to ring while Mason and Muffy were outside. I was surprised to see it was Violet.

“Hey, Vi.”

“Rose, I have a huge favor to ask.”

“Okay,” I said, hesitantly.

“I’m having a big shipment of potting soil and fertilizer delivered today around ten. Do you think you could spare Bruce Wayne to help move the bags behind the greenhouse? I’m having a weekend sale that starts tomorrow and I need everything straightened up.”

Starting the sale on Friday seemed like a good idea. But like I’d told Mason, good ideas had never been her weakness. “I can’t speak for Bruce Wayne, but I have no problem with it. How about I call him and I’ll let you know.”

“Okay. Tell him that I would need him here around the time the bags are dropped off. Thanks, Rose.”

I hung up and called Bruce Wayne as I peeked out the window to check on Mason. He was sitting on the porch steps, talking on his phone while rubbing behind Muffy’s ears. She looked up at him, her tongue hanging out and her tail wagging.