Best Kept Secrets(144)
grooming."
"Don't expect any pity from me. You know your rugged
good looks are irresistible to the ladies. We're different types,
that's all."
"Together, we'd be great."
"We were."
"Huh?"
"Remember the night we shared one of the Gail sisters'
behind the National Guard armory. Which one was it?"
Reede chuckled. "Damned if I remember. I'm too tired to
think, much less remember."
"You've been putting in a lot of overtime, haven't
you?"
"It's taken that," he paused strategically, "just to keep
an eye on Alex and keep her from getting hurt."
Reede saw the interest spark in Junior's eyes. "She's a
handful, all right."
"I'm not joking. She almost got killed this afternoon."
"What?" Junior swung his feet over the side of the bed
to the floor.' 'What happened? Is she hurt?'' Reede told Junior
about the incident on the highway. "I'd better call her," he
said as soon as Reede finished.
"Don't. When I left her, she was asleep. They gave her
a painkiller at the hospital and it was already working."
He could feel the weight of Junior's inquisitive stare, but
didn't acknowledge it. He wasn't going to explain why he'd
felt it necessary to tuck Alex in. It had taken all his willpower
to walk out of that room and deny himself the luxury of lying
beside her all night.
"Some Mexicans witnessed the whole thing. They said
it was an ME truck, and it deliberately ran her off the
road."
Junior looked confused. "My first guess would be that
preacher."
"Where would he get one of your company trucks?"
"A devoted member of his flock could be an employee."
"I've got a man checking out that possibility, although I
doubt anything'll turn up."
The two friends were silent for a moment. Finally, Reede
said casually, "I understand you had breakfast with Alex this
morning."
"She called and asked me to meet her."
"Why?"
"She said you told her about Celina's attempted abortion.''
Reede averted his head. "Yeah."
"I don't like to second-guess you, friend, but--"
"Then, don't." Reede rolled out of the chair and came to
his feet.
"Okay, okay. I just fail to see why it was necessary."
Reede didn't intend to talk about last night at all. "What
else did you discuss over breakfast?"
"The night Celina died. Alex wanted to know if I'd proposed."
Junior recounted that morning's conversation with
Alex.
"Did she believe you when you said you went out and got
drunk alone?"
"I guess so. She seemed to. Everybody else believes me."
The look they exchanged lasted a few seconds too long to be
comfortable for either. "Yeah, right.'' Reede gazed out the window.
*' Alex said Stacey showed up and was none too friendly.''
Junior fidgeted.' 'I've, uh, I've been seeing Stacey lately.''
Reede swiveled around, surprised. "Seeing or screwing?
Or are they automatically synonymous to you?"
"Guilty to both charges."
Reede cursed. "Why are you fanning that fire?"
"Convenience."
"Nora Gail's is convenient."
"But not free--at least, to no one but you."
Reede's lip curled. "You sorry son of a bitch."
"Look, it's not hurting anybody. Stacey needs the attention.
She wants it."
"Because she loves you, you jerk."
"Aww." Junior dismissed that notion with a wave of his
hand. "One thing I do know. She's all bent out of shape
about Alex. Stacey's afraid she'll ruin all of us, but especially,
her old man."
"She might do it. She's determined to find a culprit and
send him to prison."
Junior slouched against the headboard again. "Does that
really worry you?"
"Yes," Reede said. "I've got a lot to lose if ME doesn't
get that racing license. So do you."
"What are you getting at, that I ran Alex off the road? Is
this an interrogation, Sheriff?" he asked in a tone that didn't
flatter the office Reede held.
"Well?"
Junior's handsome face flushed with anger. "Good
God, are you crazy?" He left the bed and came to stand
eye to eye with Reede. "I wouldn't harm a hair on her
head."
"Were you in her room this morning?"
"Yes. So?"
"What for?" Reede shouted.
"What do you think?" Junior shouted back.