Justice Delayed (Memphis Cold Case #1)(102)

Andi peeked out the window that faced south and scanned the woods, then moved to the one that faced west. Maggie stood sentry at the east window. The blind spot was the north side facing the river. Even if the men realized there was a blind spot, it would be difficult for them to work their way around to the back side of the cabin without being seen. “Do you think anyone has even tried to call us?”

“You know they have,” Maggie replied. “I’m sure they’re looking for us now. Once they get to Doskie, someone will recognize the photo of Jillian and tell them how to get here.”

“I hate to tell you,” Jillian said, “but even with directions, they’ll probably get lost. It’s up to us, ladies.” They’d wrapped a blanket around her, and she pulled it tighter. “Why in blue blazes were you so determined to find me?”

“We told you. We’re trying to help Jimmy,” Andi said, “and I wanted to know what happened the night Stephanie died.”

“Why didn’t you ask Lacey? Jimmy said she wrote him a letter saying he didn’t kill Steph. With what she knew, that should’ve been enough to get him out of prison, and satisfy you.”

She didn’t know about Lacey. Andi shifted so she could see her. “Lacey is dead. Murdered.”

Jillian gasped. “What?”

“Didn’t Jimmy tell you?”

She shook her head. “He killed her,” she said softly.

“Who killed her? Jimmy?” Maggie said.

“No.” Jillian closed her eyes, and Andi thought she’d passed out. She knelt beside her, feeling her wrist for a pulse.

“I’m still here,” Jillian said. She opened her eyes.

Andi had never seen such sadness before.

Jillian took a deep breath and released it. “What do you want to know?”

The words dropped like a bomb into the still room.

“Were you there?” Maggie asked.

“I’m afraid so.” She shifted on the floor and groaned. “You know, I might not get out of here alive.”

“You are not dying here,” Andi said. Not when she was so close to knowing the truth. “What happened that night?”

“Are you sure you want to know?” Jillian pinned her gaze on Andi. “Stephanie wasn’t perfect.”

All Andi’s life, Stephanie had been her hero. Maybe she didn’t want to hear what Jillian had to say.

“Tell us,” Maggie said. “Did Jimmy kill Stephanie?”

“No.” Jillian breathed deeply through her nose, and her body shuddered when she exhaled. “JD had called and told me to find out where Stephanie had the diamonds he had slipped in her purse in Paris. When I went to the studio, she refused to hand them over. Claimed she didn’t know what I was talking about and she was done with smuggling diamonds into the States.”

“No!” Andi planted her feet. “She was not smuggling diamonds!”

“I warned you that you wouldn’t like it.” Pity filled Jillian eyes. “I went to her studio . . .”

Jillian jerked open the studio door and stormed into the room. Lacey followed on her heels.

“Where are they, Steph?” Jillian balled her hands. If Stephanie didn’t give the diamonds back, she didn’t know what would happen.

“Would you hold it down?” Stephanie sat on a high stool at her worktable. She bent the leg of the horse she was working on, then picked up a piece of clay and smoothed it over the wire armature. “Jimmy is dog-drunk and finally went to sleep. You’ll have to deal with him if he wakes up.”

“Where are they?” Jillian repeated, not quite as loud.

“Where are what?”

“I told you she wouldn’t cooperate,” Lacey said. “What you’re doing is stealing.”

“Oh, give me a break,” Stephanie said. “Like smuggling isn’t. ‘Come on, Stephanie, it’s easy money. All you have to do is bring a few dirty-looking rocks home,’” she said in a falsetto voice. “That’s what you and JD told me, but after that one time, I said no, I’m not doing it again. And then he sneaks those three in my purse.” Her gaze hardened. “What is this, anyway? A board meeting? Where’re the others? Or did they send you to do their dirty work?”

“I don’t know about anyone else—I’m just trying to make you see reason. If you keep those diamonds, we’ll all suffer. Give them back to him,” Jillian said.

“You mean JD and Adam aren’t coming?”

“Leave Adam out of it,” Lacey said. She grabbed Stephanie’s arm. “You can’t just steal those diamonds. They’ll kill you, and us too, if you don’t turn them over.”

“No, they won’t.” Stephanie shook Lacey’s hand away. “Tomorrow morning I’m turning them over to the FBI. Would’ve today, but the person I need to see was out of town, and if anything happens to me, I’ve written everything down in my journal, naming names. I’ve documented everything.”

“Where is it?”

“You think I’m stupid?”

When Stephanie cut her eyes toward Lacey, Jillian realized Lacey knew where the journal was. “You didn’t name us, did you?”

Stephanie shrugged. “I did, along with dates and how many stones we brought in the time I was involved.”