Read Online Thirty-Five and a Half Conspiracies by Denise Grover Swank - Free Book Online Page B

But yeah, I think there’s a good chance of that.”
    I tried to contain my excitement. I had managed to tie us all together without confessing my extracurricular activities. “Why does J.R. Simmons give a fig newton about Skeeter Malcolm?” I pressed.
    Mason’s mouth twisted—it was an expression I recognized all too well; he was trying to decide what to tell me. “I don’t know for certain, but I don’t think we’re off in thinking there’s a connection.”
    “What is it?” I genuinely had no idea why Joe’s father cared about Skeeter. I was hoping maybe Mason would.
    “Let’s go home and discuss this on the way. I have some things to confess.”
    “About your investigation?”
    “Yes.”
    “Okay,” I said, suddenly nervous.
    Mason had barely left the parking lot before he began. “You already know that I went to see Joe the night I found out he had paid off the loan for your nursery. You also know we got into a heated discussion and some punches were thrown. What I didn’t tell you was that I asked Joe to help me protect you from his father.”
    My mouth dropped in shock.
    “He told me no. It was his belief that trying to fight his father would be detrimental to you. But he called me the next day to say he’d changed his mind. He wanted to help, but only on the condition I didn’t tell you.”
    “Why?”
    “I don’t know. I figured he had his reasons, and as long as he was helping, I didn’t care. Still, he didn’t have much information to offer until the day after Christmas.”
    “What happened?”
    “He had me meet him in secret. I hated not telling you, especially since you were so upset I was keeping things from you, but I figured we could use all the help we could get.”
    That disagreement had been a bad one. “What did he say?”
    “He said his father knew I’d been poking around in Little Rock. Joe was worried that my investigation would irritate his father enough to put you in danger.” He paused. “But there was more.”
    “Okay.”
    “Joe’s father wanted him to back off on finding Mick Gentry.”
    My blood ran cold. “Why?”
    “His reasoning was that if Gentry was still on the loose, he would eliminate Malcolm.”
    My stomach clenched. “Why would he want that?”
    “The hell if I know, and Joe wasn’t in the mood to volunteer any ideas. The only theory I could come up with is that Simmons has some ongoing business here and Malcolm’s in the way.”
    “What kind of business?”
    “I have no idea, but there’s more.”
    “ More? Okay …”
    “J.R. told Joe that I was pissing off the good citizens of Fenton County. Joe didn’t get into specifics, but I always suspected that meant J.R. knew who was behind the attempt on my life.”
    “I’d bet money that person was Mick Gentry. Especially after the fire at Gems. We need to find Gentry to stop him from killing you both. And keep Skeeter from getting arrested for two murders he didn’t commit.”
    Mason’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you care about Skeeter Malcolm?”
    Crap. “Because Joe’s wanting to arrest him for something he didn’t do. His situation is no different than mine.”
    He turned to me in disbelief. “His situation is entirely different than yours. Skeeter Malcolm has committed multiple crimes for which he’s never been arrested, and if he didn’t commit these murders, I’m sure he’s guilty of others.”
    “Skeeter Malcolm is a person, criminal or not, and Mick Gentry is a despicable man.”
    “How do you know Skeeter Malcolm isn’t an even more despicable man?”
    Crap, oh crap, oh crap. “Look, all I know is that Skeeter took over Daniel Crocker’s place in the crime world and Gentry wants it.”
    “How do you know that?” His words were more accusatory than his tone. If anything, he seemed genuinely curious. Besides, he was used to me knowing things, usually with the help of Neely Kate. “The part about Gentry wanting to take over has been purposely been kept out of the