Rich Blood (Jason Rich #1)(47)

“That was a million moons ago, Jason. We were young and foolish. I don’t hold that against you.”

“We should’ve at least talked about it. I’m . . . sorry.”

“Yeah, we should’ve. And I’m sorry too. You were a jerk . . . I was naive . . . we were seventeen.” She grabbed the empty plates, before throwing them in the trash and beginning to clean the skillet in the sink. “What’s your business with Tyson Cade?” she asked. “Why would he be waving a gun in your face and making threats?”

“Guess.”

She continued to scrub the pan. “Jana.”

“Bingo.”

“Let me guess again. She was buying from him . . . and probably sleeping with him too. Close?”

“And you’re on to Final Jeopardy.”

“So . . . what? That doesn’t explain why he’d be threatening you and your nieces.”

“He’s worried she’ll testify that she bought drugs from him and that she has evidence, a tape maybe, that the police could use to bring charges. That she’ll cut a deal to avoid the death penalty or a life sentence by giving them the county’s drug lord.”

Chase put the pan on a paper towel to dry. “Those sound like valid worries to me. That is, if I were a drug lord. What does he want?”

“For me to not take the case . . . or, if I do, to promise him that he won’t be implicated by her.”

“And if you don’t do either, he said he’d kill you and your nieces?”

“Yes.”

“Jesus. You should probably report that to the sheriff’s office.”

“What good would it do? Seems like that would escalate the situation and put Nola and Niecy at greater risk.” He took a last sip of coffee. “I don’t think Tyson Cade plays by the same rules we do.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “Based on what Cade said, it seems like one wrong move by Jana’s attorney could cause irreparable harm to her daughters.” He stood up and stretched his sore back. “They’re the only family I have.”

“Sounds like you really don’t have much choice then.”

He blinked and looked at her. He was expecting to hear the same advice he’d gotten from Izzy, Harry, Jackson Burns, and Kisha Roe. To run like the wind from this whole situation. “You think I should take the case?”

“If you want to protect your family, that seems like the only option.”

Jason peered out at the lake, remembering something he’d noticed last night. “Our house doesn’t seem near dusty enough. Do you know if someone’s been keeping it up?”

“I was always pretty good at picking a lock,” Chase said, a slight tease in her voice.

“Why?” Jason said, turning toward her.

She walked toward him and placed her cup on the table. “I guess . . . with the way it was left . . . all the furniture still there . . . I thought someone might be coming back one day. And I’ve got a lot of free time on my hands.”

“Why’s that?”

Her face went blank. “It’s a long story, and you probably ought to be going. I can’t imagine how many folks have already called 1-800 GET RICH by now. And . . . it appears that you might be venturing into some criminal law, eh?”

“Eh,” Jason echoed. He grabbed the door handle leading to the outside deck. “Thank you.”

He started out the door, but Chase’s voice stopped him. “Wait.”

She walked forward and pressed a pistol into his hand.

He looked at the weapon and back at Chase.

“I’m not going to be able to watch your back every second.”

“I don’t have a gun permit.”

“The next time he threatens to kill you, he’s probably not going to ask for one.” She smirked and cocked her head.

“Good point,” he said, sticking the gun in his pocket. “Where’d you get the arsenal in there?”

“Like I said, long story.”

She turned, and Jason reached for her arm, squeezing it gently. “Thanks again,” he said.

“You gonna be around?” she asked.

Standing there, in his crumpled suit with a loaner gun stuck in his front pocket, badly needing a shave and a shower, Jason felt self-conscious and a bit ridiculous as his heart rate picked up speed. “I think so,” he said.





35


An hour and a half later, Jason walked through the doors of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. He went to the reception desk and saw the same woman he’d seen the day prior.

“Well, well, well. Back again so soon, Mr. Rich?”

“I’m here to see my sister.” He paused but didn’t break eye contact. “My client.”

“OK,” she said, looking hard at him. “I’ll let them know. Have a seat, and someone will be right out.”

Jason took a seat and crossed his legs, trying to look relaxed. He’d driven straight from Mill Creek to the hotel. He’d showered, shaved, and put on a fresh shirt and tie. He was wearing the same suit, but he’d only brought one, and a quick ironing job had smoothed out the wrinkles. On the way to the Hampton Inn, he’d called Izzy. When she’d answered, he’d forgone any pleasantries. He’d made up his mind.